NEWS! NEWS! NEWS!

Great news from Queens Pride House!

In these times of funding constraints, QPH is especially excited to welcome two new full-time Volunteer Coordinators to our team! QPH was recently awarded a competitive grant from NYC Civic Corps, an innovative program of Mayor Bloomberg’s NYC Service Office, and we will be hosting two Corps members that will help set up a volunteer program.

Welcome Amy and Ilona!

Amy Rushfirth received her B.A. in Women and Gender Studies with a minor in fine arts from George Washington University in D.C. She has been involved in social advocacy domestically and abroad, particularly focusing on domestic and gender violence. Amy is committed to increasing the service potential of the Pride House and gaining experience providing direct services for LGBTQ people. She loves drawing, painting, trying new foods and looks forward to getting to know her new community in Queens and New York City.

Ilona Margiotta graduated from New York University this past May with her B.A. in Gender and Sexuality Studies. During her time at NYU she interned at the organization Queers for Economic Justice, where she facilitated support groups and helped with outreach programming. She is excited to spend her 10-month NYC Civic Corps service at QPH, and looks forward to spreading her passion for social justice and community involvement throughout the greater Queens area—and hopefully roping in many, many volunteers in the process.

About NYC Civic Corps: NYC Civic Corps is both a subset of Mayor Bloomberg’s NYC Service office and the larger AmeriCorps program. Corps members commit to their host site for ten months of service, where they work on setting up a sustainable volunteer program. Handing some programming over to volunteers theoretically allows the select non-profits and governmental organizations a bit of space from the worries of tightened budgets and layoffs, and further allows them to focus on the communities they hope to serve.

Daniel Castellanos

"Gay Community Center in Queens Is at Crossroads" by Fernanda Santos of the New York Times, August 14, 2010! Click here!

Area LGBT centers struggle to close funding gaps by Michael K. Lavers, Edge NY, August 13, 2010

Check out QPH in NY1 NEWS by CeFaan Kim, August 4, 2010!

Check our video requesting your support!

Dear Queens Pride House supporters & volunteers,

Read some articles on our situation:

Because of the state budget crisis, Queens Pride House has lost over $80,000 in funding, and we've been forced to lay off 5 of our 8 staff members and reduce the number of hours the center is open. If we can't recoup that funding through contributions from LGBT community members and other sources, we may well be forced to close our doors. Help us strategize on how to save the only LGBT community center serving the borough of Queens. Donate, volunteer, and spread the word.

"Queens Pride House tries to stay afloat" by Mark Lord, Queens Chronicle, July 29, 2010

"Budget cuts threaten Queens Pride Center" by Rebecca Henely, Jackson Heights Times, July 22, 2010

"Pride House Faces Uncertain Future" by Domenick Rafter, Queens Tribune, July 15, 2010

"Pride House may close due to state budget" by Elizabeth Daley, Queens Chronicle, July 15, 2010