🍀 March is Here! 🍀

Dear Friends,

As we foray into an early spring, we take note of all the changes happening around us. we’ve already done so much this year, and month 3 of 2019 is looking great. Join us in celebratingwhat the OC LGBTQQ community has achieved so far!

In January, the youth leaders of our Youth Empowered To Act (YETA) team were able to attend the Creating Change Conference, the largest LGBTQQ youth leadership conference in the nation. They flew all the way to Detroit for a meaningful weekend of workshops, networking, and education opportunities.

On February 12, we participated in Love Is Giving Day, a collaborative fundraising campaign with 7 other non-profit organizations in Orange County. Together we were able to successfully raise funds to support healthy teen relationships and health education here in our very own community.

Sips & Giggles 2019 was a HUGE success! The community came together to enjoy each other’s company and laugh in the hilarity that is Daniel Franzese and Rhea Butcher! This was an amazing opportunity for community togetherness as many smiles and hugs were shared on a beautiful evening.

You can look forward to some very exciting upcoming events, including our biggest occasion of the year: Indigo Ball 2019! We are so excited to announce our honorees and auction items for this year’s BIG gala. we invite the entire community to our black-tie event filled with gourmet food and fabulous dancing. The Indigo Ball celebrates our previous year’s accomplishments as well as honoring those who have made a huge impact in our community. It is because of supporters like you that the LGBTQ Center OC can continue to provide essential services, programs, and connections which seek to empower LGBTQ Orange County.

Thank you for being with us and looking forward to the exciting changes that March will bring; this is going to be the most exciting Spring yet!

All the Best,

Peg Corley

Executive Director, LGBTQ Center OC

A Look Back – January & February 2019

January, 2019

Creating Change Conference

Our YETA leaders made it home safely from Detroit and they want to give a huge thank you to everyone who helped raise the funds to attend this year’s Creating Change Conference.

This was the 5th year Center Staff and YETA leaders have attended the Creating Change Conference. We attended over 15 workshops and caucuses on issues impacting the LGBTQQ community on a local, state, and national level.

We look forward to this year’s Youth Convening, our annual LGBTQQ youth leaders’ conference on Aprio 12th at the William H. Spurgeon Intermediate School.

Feb. 12, 2019

Love Is Giving Day

We had an extremely successful Giving Day with the help and support of our wonderful donors. Generous community members and allies from Orange County and beyond contributed to our campaign to raise awareness for healthy teen relationships and better sex education for all. Thank you to all who helped us make this the most successful collaborative campaign yet!

Feb. 16, 2019

Sips & Giggles

Sips & Giggles 2019 was our biggest and best Sips & Giggles yet! Through your contributions, we were able to raise money to expand our programs and services that benefit LGBTQQ individuals and their families across all of OC.

A huge thank you to host, Anthony Desamito, and our hilarious comedians, Daniel Franzese and Rhea Butcher!

Thank you to all who showed up to have a great time.

Upcoming Event – Indigo Ball 2019

MAY 4, 2019

Indigo Ball

We are excited to announce our Torchbearer honorees for Indigo Ball 2019 on Saturday, May 4th: Jeanne & Gideon Bernstein, and John Whelan & Brad Prescott.
Brad Prescott and John Whelan have been long-time supporters of the LGBTQ Center OC and the work we do. They became major donors back in 2008, helping the Center purchase our permanent home in Santa Ana. Shortly after the purchase of our building, Brad and John made the commitment to pay the Center’s mortgage – giving our organization that security so that we could continue to focus on providing programs and services to our community. Additionally, Brad and John have both been passionate supporters of our youth program. They’ve financially supported at least one of our youth clients who needed a place to live. They’ve offered college scholarships to LGBTQQ youth and mentoring as well. They have been our behind the scenes angels of our youth and their impact has been both meaningful and immeasurable. With great sadness, we said goodbye to John last year. He passed away, but his and Brad’s philanthropic endeavors live on through Brad. It is with immense gratitude that we recognize Brad and John’s many contributions to our community.
Jeanne & Gideon Bernstein started the #BlazeItForward movement last year to encourage community philanthropy and acts of kindness in an attempt to help heal the world after the murder of their oldest son, Blaze Nathan Bernstein. We are humbled by their work within the #BlazeItForward movement and proudly partner with them to create a healthier Orange County.
Indigo Ball 2019 is an exciting gala opportunity for all who are looking forward to an evening of food, music, and dancing, all while celebrating the programs and growth that the LGBTQ Center OC continues to cultivate.
There are sponsorships and table reservations still available! Click here to view our sponsorship packet. For more information about becoming a sponsor or a donor for Indigo Ball 2019, contact Jasmine Rara at: jasmine.rara@lgbtqcenteroc.org.
GET YOUR TICKETS OR BECOME A SPONSOR!

Volunteer Spotlight – Arron Patino

Interested in volunteering or giving back to the center? You can check out our opportunities here.

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