The Leonard-Litz Foundation is pleased to announce it has awarded a Covid Relief grant to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center in New York. Based in Manhattan, The Center is the leading resource for New York City’s LGBTQ community, delivering programs for health, wellness and community connection. The $15,000 grant will supplement The Center’s LGBTQ life-saving services for community relief including family assistance, youth programs and enhanced support for seniors.
The Leonard-Litz Foundation was established to fund partner organizations in the northeast U.S. that are working to improve the lives of the LGBTQ+ population, with an emphasis on intersectional LGBTQ+ advocacy. The Center, operating in- and serving- one of the world’s most diverse regions, strives toward a future of justice and equity for LGBTQ New Yorkers that recognizes and advocates for all intersections of LGBTQ identities.
Brad Synder, Director of Strategic Giving, notes, “Since February 2020, services increased by 61%, with 48% to transgender and non-binary people, and 40% to people of color. We operate an LGBTQ+ Community Relief Fund to prevent people from sliding into homelessness. Our LGBTQ+ Youth Program also continues via multiple weekly Zoom meetings, a group chat and one-on-one check ins by staff. In addition, we also offer enhanced support for older adults.”
The Center collaborates with numerous LGBTQ community leaders across New York in a statewide advocacy initiative known as RiseOut. Their legislative priorities are to advance equity and inclusion for transgender and gender non-conforming people, increase access to affirming mental health services, promote restorative justice principles, ensure LGBTQ visibility and affirmation, and demand economic justice.
We invite you to learn more about The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center and other Leonard-Litz Foundation grantees, and help us support the important work they are doing for our community.