CHOOSING A BENEFICIARY
Each year Red Dress Party organizers carefully select event beneficiaries that embody the mission and goals of the event by their HIV/AIDS prevention, education, and care activities. The organization(s) chosen each year are not only the recipient of a check, but a community partner – assisting with event volunteers, promotion, and engagement of other community organizers to ensure the events success in raising as much money as possible for a common cause. The chosen organization for 2012 is the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center, to aid in the creation of partnerships and engagement with HIV/AIDS related organizations as well as direct education and prevention activities.
2012 BENEFICIARY
The Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center is a 501(c)3 corporation whose ongoing mission is dedicated to serving the lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual community of the Greater Sacramento area and surrounding counties and its allies by providing space, diverse programming, advocacy, and cultural competency awareness in an affirming, compassionate and safe environment.
The Center provides weekly support groups for youth, 20-Somthings, adult men and women, transgendered and transsexual individuals and their friends, those newly coming out, and Strength in Numbers HIV/AIDS affected community members. In partnership with community organizations, and an army of volunteers, the Center also offer HIV testing on site, clinics and referrals for housing & public benefits, disabilities, SacLegal, and homelessness services. It provides space for a variety of community resources including AA, NA, and SC support groups.
Throughout the year the Center produces the annual Sacramento Pride Parade & Festival, Queer Youth Prom, Center Health & Wellness Fair, Estate Planning Workshops, Competency Trainings, Suicide Prevention, 2nd Saturday Art Show, the Lavender Angels neighborhood safety and outreach patrol. The Center has also produced wine trips, a book club, high tea, and concerts, and currently has plans for a family picnic day and Lambda awards this fall.
