Points of Pride
Your donations are an investment in people’s lives and the Center is deeply committed to ensuring that every dime is spent with care. Programs and services are constantly evaluated for effectiveness through the collection of data and experiences that tell the story of how deeply people’s lives have been impacted. Donors should take pride in what the Center has been able to accomplish through their generosity. Download this year’s Impact Report:
A Letter From The CEO 12.20.23
In the 45th year since the Center was founded, our commitment to serving the needs of the LGBTQ+ community has never been stronger and our fight for equity and justice has never been more important. While we might be protected under the law in California, discrimination, harassment, and violence against our community are on the rise. Hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people in Sacramento nearly doubled in 2022 and it’s easy to see where acts of violence are inspired. Week after week, Proud Boys spew hate at city council meetings. School boards throughout the region are passing forced outing policies. Supportive healthcare professionals, educators, and nonprofit advocates are leaving their respective fields due to threats, environmental stress, and burnout. I want to assure you that I am not going anywhere. We at the Center, are here for the long haul.
While we are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Center remains strong and focused on supporting the health and wellness of the most marginalized, advocating for a more equitable and just world, and building a culturally rich LGBTQ+ community. In-person events like Mama’s Makin’ Bacon, the Sacramento Pride March & Festival, and Q-Prom have fully returned and welcomed more than 20,0000 guests this year.
Recently we hosted our Chosen Family Feast and World AIDS Day events. Unique opportunities to focus our attention on what unites our humanity rather than what divides us in today’s polarized world. I could go on and on about our accomplishments and the thousands of lives impacted by our work over the last year, but I would like to highlight just a few.
- In collaboration with Sacramento County and Pucci’s Pharmacy we responded rapidly to the MPOX outbreak and stamped out the possibility of another pandemic through outreach, educating, and vaccination.
- We supported 47 public policy initiatives at every level of government in our region to create safer and more affirming homes, workplaces, schools, and healthcare institutions.
- Three of our team members were recognized with awards this year as champions for diversity, equity, and inclusion; community service leaders; and developing outstanding marketing campaigns for Sacramento Pride.
- We placed 33 youth experiencing homelessness into permanent housing.
- We connected 250 employers with over 400 job seekers through our Economic Justice Program career fairs and job readiness workshops.
- And we have nearly reached our $6 million capital campaign goal that will allow us to pay off our mortgage and begin the process of renovating our new headquarters to more fully meet community needs.
These are tangible steps towards empowerment and sustainable growth. Work that would not have been possible without your support. Together we’re looking ahead towards a brighter future, and I look forward to sharing our impact and creating a region where all LGBTQ+ people can thrive.
With Gratitude,
David Heitstuman
CEO
