About us
Pride Center of Western New York, Inc. (PCWNY), is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization. The mission of PCWNY is to work with the community to make Western New York a safe, healthy, and satisfying place for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgender people to live, work, and establish their families. By working with organizations, businesses, and individuals, PCWNY strives to:
- Refer individuals and groups to LGBT organizations and allied organizations for health care, legal issues and other needed assistance.
- Enhance communication between organizations and businesses to make their mission and services known to each other and to the larger community.
- Develop leadership within the community.
- Strengthen vehicles of communication and information.
- Expand the visibility of LGBT issues and accomplishments, and educate the general public about the value that the LGBT community has in our society.
- Provide a safe, secure, and private environment for groups and organizations to meet, allowing them to increase their impact on the community
PCWNY welcomes all groups and individuals seeking to add to the continuing improvement of the LGBT community. The Pride Center is funded through a grant from the New York State Department of Health, David Bohnett Foundation, and other funding, as well as generous contributions from the community. All donations are tax deductible and benefit the programs and services of PCWNY!
PCWNY is dedicated to increasing the availability of information and referrals for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender communities of western New York. Our website is updated monthly so check back to see what new offerings are available in your local community. The Pride Center is located in the Evergreen Center at 206 S. Elmwood Ave (corner of Chippewa) Buffalo, NY. The David Bohnett CyberCenter is open Monday through Friday from 1PM-5PM and Tuesdays until 8PM. If you have further questions or suggestions for resources, programs, services, or events feel free to contact us online or call 852-PRIDE.
THE HISTORY OF THE PRIDE CENTER OF WESTERN NEW YORK, INC.
The Pride Center of Western New York, Inc. was founded in 1998 by a group of individuals and business owners concerned by challenges facing the LGBT communities in all eight counties of Western New York (WNY). The Center incorporated in 2001 and recieved its first funding for staff and programming from the New York State Department of Health in 2002. The first grant funded a Director, Program Coordinator, and a part-time Mental Health Counselor as well as office space. Initial Pride Center goals included; developing gay friendly referrall lists for primary care, mental health and addiction services, to provide limited mental health support through individual and group work, and to develop a region - wide network of LGBT organizations. In 2008, the Pride Center joined the Evergreen Association, with partners AIDS Community Services of WNY, Inc., Evergreen Health Services, Alianza Latina, Inc., and the Evergreen Foundation.The Association provides fiscal, personnel, marketing and strategic planning to its members. Concurrently, the Pride Center moved into a 1,500 sq.ft. newly renovated space inside the Evergreen Center in downtown Buffalo, co-locating with Association partners. This arrangement allows a comprehensive continuum of services to be provided onsite in a safe and secure physical environment.
The Pride Center's ongoing programmatic success led to receipt of a series of on-going awards from the NYS Office of Alcohol & Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) to develop and produce a "Crystal Clear" campain targeting LGBT individuals. In 2007, the Pride Center recieved funding from the David Bohnett Foundation to establish a regional cyber center targeting young LGBT adults who need access to and use of the internet in a safe setting. That same year, The Pride Center became the SAGE ( Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders) Western New York Affiliate, offering social and educational opportunities to LGBT individuals 55 and older. In 2010, the Pride Center was funded to develop programs around domestic/intimate partner violence in LGBT communities and also became organizers of the WNY LGBT Pride Parade & Festivities.
Pride Center of Western New York, Inc.
206 S. Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14201
P: 716-852-PRIDE
F: 716-847-0418
Our Staff
Jorien Brock, JD, MSW
Senior Director
Damian Martinez
Program Coordinator
Our Board
Jim Rolls
Chair
Patti Jones
Vice Chair
David Cyr
Treasurer
David Granville
Secretary
Justin Azzarella
Sarah Bishop
Jim Bower
James Bragg
Javier Bustillos
Kate Gallivan
Sam Givens
Matthew John Pasquarella
Richard Ridenour
Adjoa Robinson
Ron Silverio
