Milwaukee's LGBT Community Center hopes to raise $25,000 to keep services going

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --- A crucial resource within Milwaukee's LGBTQ+ community for the last 25 years needs help keeping those resources going.

Milwaukee's LGBT Community Center has been around since the 1990s. Right now, a fundraising campaign is underway to help sustain vital resources.

"We are the largest LGBT community center in Wisconsin," said Ricardo Galaviz, associate director.

At the center, members are provided with various support services, therapy, access to a food pantry, clothing, and hygiene products.

Between resources and fun events, hundreds of people pass through the center each month. The impact is multi-generational, with programming offered for youth and older adults.

For many, the center is a safe haven and a place where being accepted for who you are is never a question.

"That's what we do here at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center. We take care of each other," said Galaviz.

Financial support here has been a struggle since the pandemic. Right now, the center is hoping to raise $25,000. Once they reach that number, the donations will be matched with a $25,000 grant from the Leonard-Litz Foundation.

The Leonard-Litz Foundation supports organizations committed to advancing the lives of the LGBTQ+ community.

Galaviz says not getting the money they need could mean major cutbacks to services they've been providing since 1998.

"That's the main thing that we're trying to prevent. We don't want there to be a pause in our services," said Galaviz.

The center is hoping to reach its fundraising goal before June.

Click HERE for the fundraiser.