Center on Halsted hosted its second annual Volunteer Celebration on Thursday, June 9, bringing more than 200 volunteers together to thank them for their hard work and service throughout the year. Held on the third floor of the Center, volunteers enjoyed cocktails and music provided by Circuit Night Club, and appetizers created by the Center’s Silver Fork Culinary Arts program. 

In a short awards ceremony, staff members from every department presented certificates to 25 outstanding volunteers. In the last year, more than 500 individuals from all areas of our community volunteered at the Center. In any given month over 200 volunteers contribute more than 2,000 hours of service to the Center. Volunteers have a hand in every program. Therapists and attorneys provide pro bono mental health services and legal assistance, and the 24-hour Anti-Violence Project Crisis hotline is staffed exclusively by specially-trained volunteers. Volunteers teach computer classes, answer phones at the reception desk, manage cultural and recreation programs, mentor youth, and much more. Each year, volunteers contribute more than $200,000 worth of services to Center on Halsted. Their participation illustrates how important the Center is within Chicago’s LGBT community. Without the time and talent of these dedicated individuals, many patrons and clients would not be able to receive the valuable programs and services offered by the Center.

Honorees included Gil Magana, who translated numerous documents from English to Spanish for the HIV Testing & Prevention Program; Chef Dan Smith, owner and manager of Hearty Restaurant and Hearty Boys catering, who instructs the Silver Fork Culinary Arts and Job Readiness Program; June LaTrobe, who coordinates transgender programming; Jack Ward, who teaches 3D design classes in the Cyber Center; Ray Koenig, the longest-serving volunteer attorney; and Dr. Bert Cohler, who has been involved with Center on Halsted as both a board member and volunteer therapist for more than 20 years. 2011 Outstanding Volunteer Awardees:Administrative: Bob HortonReception: Michael Pyle, Katie LoveCommunity & Cultural: Paul Rogers, Brad Burton Bisexual: Chris PierceRecreation: Pete PomattoCyber Center: Ben Weiss and Jack WardOperations: James MulcahySpecial Events: Simon ChavezFinance: Kristine AndersenHIV Testing & Prevention: Gil MaganaMental Health: Penny Asay, Bert CohlerYouth: Tegan Kinane, AJ StanfordAnti-Violence Project: Katelyn Holsclaw, Elizabeth Sherman Transgender: Jami BantrySAGE: Jo Ann Austin, Bob EganLegal: Ray KoenigAll-Around Service: June LaTrobe, Chef Dan Smith