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Loading ...San Jose LGBT community center may close
07.23.2009 3:58pm EDT
(San Jose) The Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center announced Tuesday that unless it could raise $50,000 by Sept. 1, it will close.
Executive Director Paul Wysocki said they have run out of funding at the center, which, after cutbacks, operates at an annual budget of $310,000.“Our government funding has ended, and in today’s economy, we can’t count on corporate support,” read a weekly newsletter e-mailed to supporters. “Our current income from memberships and events no longer meets even the most basic level of Center operations.”
The DeFrank center has support systems for youth and seniors, as well as an HIV/AIDS testing program. The center is looking to the community to help them stay afloat.
“Our donor base has never been focused on and truly developed,” current board President Anne Hansen said. “We’re on a 45-day campaign to get 1,000 new members to donate $20 a month. The economy is bad, but I think this can be done.”
Read the full San Jose Mercury News article here.
By the Board President’s own admission, they were not focused on money. Like most non profits and as a past president of our local GLBT organization, especially gay organizations always have their hands out waiting for the government to take care of their needs.
I changed that philosophy and began to make our organization self sufficient. Even during these difficult times, our local organization is functioning and will continue to do so. Do we accept government handouts and entitlements, of course. But, to all of you out there, learn not to be so needy or dependent, grow up and become self sufficient.
That’s sad. We as a community need to support LGBT community centers. Because if we don’t, who will? The Religious Loonies who want to burn us like they did with the “witches” in Salem in 1692. The Government? Come on people. The only people who are going to support us is US. Thank you and Good Night.