FEBRUARY 10, 1995 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Expanding Center services

by Calvin Stokes

This is the first installment of a series of articles written by Center board members. It seems that folks have had a lot to say about us, so it's time to hear a lot from us. The topic du jour is "Service," as in the Lesbian-Gay Community Service Center of Greater Cleveland.

How can the Center serve you?

Each board member brings to the table a private agenda. It's just part of human nature. My agenda is expansion of services.

The Center offers a variety of services; some familiar, some not. Everyone knows of the Lesbian-Gay Hotline, the PRYSM youth group, the Living Room drop-in center for people with HIV/AIDS, etc.

green stuff lying about, feel free to donate that as well.

Time-This, in my opinion, is the most important and difficult donation. The Center is a volunteer-driven organization. The more volunteers we have, the more we can do. Volunteering doesn't mean 35 hours a week. It could mean spending one Saturday morning stuffing envelopes. It could mean leading a two-hour seminar in your field of expertise, e.g., tax investment, lesbian and gay legal issues, travel, CPR, etc. It could mean volunteering to join a board committee the most effective way to guide the Center's direction. We have a new Volunteer Coordinator-a volunteer himself-who will lead us into the future of greater community utilization.

LESBIAN GAY Community Service Center

Few are aware of the community calendar, assistance offered to community groups, the liaison to media and government, etc. These are very important services, but there is still much to be done.

One main goal is the return of the Mary Ann Finegan Anti-Violence Project. To make this case, I originally wanted to include statistics about violence against our community. I was going to call the City of Cleveland to get the figures, but remembered that the city got their figures from the Mary Ann Finegan Project; thereby reinforcing the need for the Project's return.

Another goal is working with other groups with experience in fields into which we are expanding. One such example is SAGE, Senior Action in a Gay Environment, with whom we are working to explore the needs of lesbian and gay seniors, a long ignored segnent of our community.

This is just the start of a more active Center. Look forward to many more Center offerings.

How can you serve the center?

Surely, you didn't think service was a one-way street? In this kinder, gentler age, one must give as good as one gets. How can you serve the Center?

Ideas--If the Center isn't doing something you'd like or doing something you don't, say something! Not just to each othercontact a board member or call the Center. With all the issues that face the Center, one shouldn't assume that nothing will be missed. Donations-You know that bookshelf sitting in the basement collecting dust? Donate it. The Center can always use “in-kind" donations of goods. If you're unsure of a donation's suitability, please call and ask. Of course, if you have any of that annoying

OF GREATER CLEVELAND

Well, that's my viewpoint. If you agree or disagree, let me know. All board members can be contacted through the Center. We look forward to hearing from you.

Columbus needs a few good volunteer reporters on the beat.

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