LGBT seniors program awarded $475,000 grant
Wed. February 17, 2010 12:00 AM by ChicagoPride.com News Staff
center on halsted
photo credit // frank failing
Chicago, IL -
Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE), a program of Center on Halsted serving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) older adults and seniors, received nearly a half a million dollars in federal funding on Tuesday.
The one-year $475,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will fund special projects designed to enhance the lives of LGBT older adults through the 12-year-old SAGE program. This is the third largest federal grant awarded to an LGBT aging program in the United States according to Serena Worthington, Senior Director of Public Programs at Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted.
"I firmly believe that federal dollars should not be used to curry political favor with private companies but rather have a direct impact on local families by funding worthwhile public or non-profit projects," said Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Illinois). "That's why I'm proud to be able to provide support for critical community programs like Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders at the Center on Halsted. SAGE directly addresses the unique challenges of LGBT seniors by seeking to assist and improve their quality of life, which has often been marked by discrimination and inequity. I will never stop fighting for equality and treasure the opportunity of representing SAGE in my district."
The special projects funded will include; aging with HIV and HIV prevention programs targeted toward a senior LGBT population, constituent advocacy and LGBT cultural competency training for service providers.
According to the Center on Halsted, an estimated 562,000 adults over 55 years of age in Chicago and approximately 40,000 are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
"The Center is well equipped to meet the unique needs of Chicago's fast-growing LGBT senior community and this grant will assure that LGBT seniors are given the best opportunity to lead safe, healthy, dignified and fulfilling lives," said Modesto Tico Valle, Chief Executive Officer of Center on Halsted.
Every week 125 LGBT elders come to Center on Halsted for an array of programming based on the well established holistic wellness model of care which includes social, educational, recreational, and vocational opportunities. In addition to the many programs and events on site, SAGE has monthly outings and a free Friendly Visitor program which matches volunteers with isolated LGBT seniors. For more information visit www.CenteronHalsted.org
The one-year $475,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will fund special projects designed to enhance the lives of LGBT older adults through the 12-year-old SAGE program. This is the third largest federal grant awarded to an LGBT aging program in the United States according to Serena Worthington, Senior Director of Public Programs at Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted.
"I firmly believe that federal dollars should not be used to curry political favor with private companies but rather have a direct impact on local families by funding worthwhile public or non-profit projects," said Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Illinois). "That's why I'm proud to be able to provide support for critical community programs like Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders at the Center on Halsted. SAGE directly addresses the unique challenges of LGBT seniors by seeking to assist and improve their quality of life, which has often been marked by discrimination and inequity. I will never stop fighting for equality and treasure the opportunity of representing SAGE in my district."
The special projects funded will include; aging with HIV and HIV prevention programs targeted toward a senior LGBT population, constituent advocacy and LGBT cultural competency training for service providers.
According to the Center on Halsted, an estimated 562,000 adults over 55 years of age in Chicago and approximately 40,000 are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
"The Center is well equipped to meet the unique needs of Chicago's fast-growing LGBT senior community and this grant will assure that LGBT seniors are given the best opportunity to lead safe, healthy, dignified and fulfilling lives," said Modesto Tico Valle, Chief Executive Officer of Center on Halsted.
Every week 125 LGBT elders come to Center on Halsted for an array of programming based on the well established holistic wellness model of care which includes social, educational, recreational, and vocational opportunities. In addition to the many programs and events on site, SAGE has monthly outings and a free Friendly Visitor program which matches volunteers with isolated LGBT seniors. For more information visit www.CenteronHalsted.org