Center on Halsted

Now More Than Ever...
These economic times impact everyone but particularly those in our community who were already struggling. Center on Halsted is a place of comfort and community for its clients and program participants with a diversity of needs and interests.
Thanks to the continuing and generous support of donors and volunteers, Center on Halsted can make wishes come true this holiday season for Chicago’s LGBT and ally communities.
Now, more than ever, the Center needs friends, like you, to reach out and help those less fortunate. Please, consider making a gift supporting your community and your Center.
As you gather with family and friends this season, give thanks for all you enjoy and keep Center on Halsted in your thoughts. To make a contribution to the Center click here. May this season bring you the happiness, peace and comfort you graciously extend.
Thank you!
Modesto Tico Valle, Executive Director

YOUR GIFT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Please contact C. Nathan Harris, Director of Individual Giving for more information by phone or email at 773.472.6469 ext. 252 or nharris@centeronhalsted.org.

Welcome to Your Center!

Center on Halsted's Gender Queer Cabaret

Friday, January 16, 2009
Hoover-Leppen Theatre
Performance: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, followed by a light dessert reception.

The Center’s Youth Program’s “Diva” workshops will culminate in an exciting evening of gender bending queer musical performances based on shows at the historic landmark Apollo Theater in Harlem.

Hosted by Cathy Smith
Starring: Phoenix Jade, Anastasia, Crystal, Biodun and Jay.

Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the door. Students and seniors may purchase tickets for $3 with valid I.D.

Peace · Love · Community

Center on Halsted learned that hatemonger Fred Phelps (godhatesfags.com) planned to demonstrate against a meeting of LGBTchange.org being hosted by Center on Halsted Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 1:45 PM.

In reaction to this news, Center on Halsted immediately mobilized over 100 allies who gathered to form a peaceful, human chain of “protection” around the Center. Center allies held signs with the messages of Peace, Love and Community. Surprised by the preparedness of the Center, Phelps group moved its demonstration to Halsted and Addison and remained only for a few short minutes.

The Center wishes to thank those who joined us in solidarity.

Transgender Model Isis From “America’s next Top Model” Meets With
Trans Community Members at Center on Halsted

On Saturday, December 6, Isis met with a large group of young people at Center on Halsted. She spoke about her life, her recent television appearance and future career plans. Those attending the gathering were pleased to have met with this young, successful transsexual role model.

Isis, transsexual contestant on “America’s Next Top Model”
meets with youth and staff at Center on Halsted December 6th.

Compliance: The Pattern of Living with HIV Art Exhibit

Center on Halsted observes World AIDS Day and continues its celebration and support of LGBT artists by presenting Cal Calvird's “Compliance: The Pattern of Living with HIV.” The exhibit will be on display at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., from November 21 – January 5, 2009.

An opening reception will be held on November 21, 2008, from 6:30p – 9:30p in the Center’s second-floor “living room” space.

Inspired by the AIDS Quilt, Compliance is a graphic representation of HIV drug treatment over the course of a lifetime. The representation uses a two pill a day treatment regime over a 50 year projection. (A recent study published in The Lancet showed that an individual starting successful HIV treatment at the age of 20 would be expected to live to be nearly 70.) CDC’s historical trend analysis indicates that HIV incidence has been increasing steadily among gay and bisexual men with a disproportionate increase seen in younger men under the age of 30 and men of color. Compliance is a graphic representation of this study's findings, namely what does 50 years of treatment compliance look like?

Many-One an Art Show by Jeff Stevenson

Opening reception will be held on Friday, January 9, 2009 at Center on Halsted’s “Living Room” space on the 2nd floor from 6:30 – 9:30 PM; a $5 donation is requested. Cash bar will be available.

“Art isn’t just about what we see. It also has to do with what we think.”
- Jeff Stevenson

Yes We Can: John Gress On the Campaign Trial with Barack Obama

Opening reception for this photographic show will be held on Friday, January 16, 2009 at Center on Halsted’s 3rd floor gallery from 6:30 – 9:30 PM; a $5 donation is requested. Cash bar will be available.

The exhibit will feature extraordinary photographs of President-Elect Obama and his family while on the campaign trail and will remain on display until March 1.

What is being said about Center on Halsted?

"Chicago prides itself on offering the best of everything. I am proud to be part of the leadership that is giving this city a world-class community center that is good for business, good for the community and good for the environment."
-- Richard M. Daley, Mayor, City of Chicago

"Important institutions do one thing well: In a small way they help to make their region, their city or their nation better. I think Center on Halsted will help do that."
-- Dr. Lonnie Bunch, Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture

"Our community organizations are going to have an opportunity to be in proximity to each other in a way they've never been before."
-- Art Johnston, Community Leader and Owner, Sidetrack

"There is a wonderful synergy when various kinds of organizations come together."
-- Nikki Stein, Executive Director, Polk Bros. Foundation

"The new Center on Halsted adds a highly visible, publicly accessible green building to Chicago's growing collection of significant architectural landmarks. The innovative building features can be readily adopted by others in their future building projects and illustrates the strong economics for building green. There is no question that this building will serve as a model for future green buildings to come."
-- James Mann, Executive Director of Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation

"It puts its programs and its purpose as inspiration right on the street for people to see."
-- Elva Rubio

"It's going to improve the quality of life for many, many people for many generations to come."
-- Billie Jean King, Tennis Legend

"It will help all ages, but I think it's especially important for the youth; that they have a place, a safe place, to go."
-- Tom Tunney, 44th Ward Alderman, City of Chicago

"We must be bold enough to dream, naïve enough to believe and tenacious enough to make it happen."
-- Patrick Sheahan, Executive Director of Public Affairs, UBS and Board Chairman Emeritus, Center on Halsted

"It's a gift we can give that can benefit someone else."
-- Michael A. Leppen, Philanthropist and Community Leader

Rental Information

Visit our Community Partners Page to learn about who is sharing our home! Partners include The Association of Latino Men for Action (ALMA), Amigas Latinas, The Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, GayCo Productions, The NAMES Project Chicago Chapter, Nothalsted Area Merchants Association (NAMA), Windy City Athletic Association, Windy City Performing Arts, Windy City Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf, achurch4me? Metropolitan Community Church.