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Latest from GCCR
February 7, 2012
A Message From Bill Harrison
GCCR’s Interim Executive Director
Dear Friends:
It has only been a few days since I assumed the job as Interim Executive Director of the Gay Community Center of Richmond, but the work is consuming me. And that’s good. GCCR has such potential and it is exciting as we begin the process of plotting our future.
One of our major funders, Diversity Thrift, is doing well. We are looking at ways to make the stores even more profitable, customer- friendly and service oriented.
Our bingo games, another major income source, continue to bring in several hundred players each week. Like the thrift stores, this is due to the diligence of dedicated paid and volunteer staff.
Just within my first few days as CEO I have heard from several people, past and present GCCR supporters, who want to know what’s going on. As one person asked,
“You’ve got money coming in, but no money going back into the community. Why is
that?”
Good question.
As you probably know, GCCR was originally created with one aspect of the mission to be a source of financial support for other programs that benefit our community. That has not happened for several years and that is one of our top priorities….to make sure we have the resources to resume providing grants to organizations doing great work in our community.
We are actually giving back to the community in ways maybe not so apparent. For example, we supply meeting and event space at our Center for numerous organizations and communities of faith. We also provide marketing support to organizations through our newsletter, website and electronic billboard that is seen by a minimum of 100,000 travelers every day. We also offer an array of events and programs here at the Center which are explained in our newsletter and on our website, GayRichmond.com.
With that said, we are examining our programs to ensure that they are what the community wants and needs. We must develop projects that will provide benefit to the community and fill gaps…areas that other nonprofits are not addressing.
We have much to do and we need your input. Please let me hear from you. Call me at 804-622-4646, ext. 20 or write me at
Bill.Harrison@LGBTRichmond.net.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Bill Harrison
Interim Executive Director
Diversity Thrift Needs Your Donations
Donations to Diversity Thrift are always down at this time of year, and 2012 is no exception! Our revenues are directly tied to the quantity and quality of donations we receive, and after a record setting 2011 we need your donations to keep pace in 2012. If you have unwanted furniture in good condition, household items, books, artwork, or clothes, you can bring them by Diversity Thrift seven days a week. If you have large items to donate we’ll even pick them up for you! You can call 804-353-8890 to schedule a pickup.
You Can! Live Well Virginia! Workshops is a series of workshops designed to help you improve your health and well-being in 2012. GCCR will be offering this six week series of 2 hour workshops developed at Stanford University on Tuesday afternoons beginning February 7th from 2 – 4:30 pm in the GCCR Classroom. The program runs through March 13th. Our trainers were recently trained at Senior Connections. Call Cindy Bray at 804-380-0904 to register.
GCCR’s Third Annual Love Equality Style Dance! Come out to GCCR and dance the night away on Saturday February 11 at our Third Annual Winter Dance. Although it’s happening right before Valentine’s Day this is not just for people with a sweetheart or significant other – singles and couples of all ages are welcome. We encourage singles to come and join the fun. There will be a DJ
and light refreshments provided. You can dedicate a song to that special someone or possibly meet someone new to
dance with. Saturday, February 11, from 7 – 11 pm in the GCCR Event Hall. $10 for Adults, $5
for students with ID.
“Love Unites Richmond” for Marriage Equality
Love Unites Richmond is an exclusive and intimate fundraiser presented by Maury Place at Monument and GayRVA.com. Eight host couples have committed to gathering each year before Valentine’s Day until marriage equality is legal in Virginia. Join them in raising awareness at this evening cocktail reception at Chez Foushee. At the event, we will be accepting donations for Freedom To Marry. Since 2003, Freedom to Marry has campaigned for equal rights for same-sex couples nationwide. Sunday, February 12 at 6 pm, at Chez Foushee, 203 N. Foushee St. Learn more and purchase tickets at GayRVAcom
Gay Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings to Begin. A gay AA group will begin meeting on Saturdays, beginning February 11th. The meetings
will take place at 7:30 pm at Retreat Hospital, 2621 Grove Avenue, in the first floor classroom. This will be a regular weekly meeting.
Inspirational Book Discussion Group Forming. GCCR is forming a new Inspirational/Spiritual Book Discussion Group! Our hope is
to provide an atmosphere that will encourage personal growth through the reading and discussion of inspirational books. To start off 2012 the Group will be reading and discussing “The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom” by Don Miguel Ruiz.
Each group will have a leader and will consist of thought provoking questions which will be discussed during each group. This is a safe group, encouraging open sharing and listening respectfully of one another. The group will meet every other Monday for 6 weeks beginning February 13th. Learn more and register at GayRichmond.com
SONiA and disappear fear Return to GCCR. GCCR welcomes SONiA and disappear fear back to Richmond. This is a rare appearance
of SONiA and the band, which includes one of Richmond’s favorite drummers, Debbie Flood. Come support GCCR’s music program and hear a fantastic one-of-a-kind artist and activist! Sunday, February 19 at 8 pm in the GCCR Event Hall. Tickets are $12 in advance,
$18 at the door. Learn more about SONiA and disappear fear at their website
Gina DeLuca to Headline Cindy’s Birthday Blues Bash. Gina DeLuca will be headlining this year at Cindy Bray’s Second Annual Birthday
Blues Bash to raise money for GCCR and SAGE. The concert is Saturday, March 3rd at 8 pm here in the Event Hall. Advance tickets are $10 and $15 at the door. You’re supporting a great cause as well as having a great time celebrating. There will be finger foods and, of course,
cake provided. Beverages will be available for a donation. If you like the blues, you’ll love Gina!
Discussion and Support Groups at GCCR: The Older, Wiser Lesbiangroup for women over 40 meets next on Monday, February 20th
from 7 – 9 pm. The topic will be “Is there a book that you’ve read or a movie that you’ve seen recently that you would like to share with others?” For more information about any of these groups contact Stephanie Smith.
The Women’s Newly Out/Coming Out Support Group holds its next meeting on Monday, March 5th from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. The discussion will be on coming out to children, and is facilitated by volunteers from MCC
ROSMY Announces Springtime in the Garden. ROSMY will host “Springtime in the Garden, A Southern Affair” on Saturday, May 5th. It will be a night celebrating those who support LGBTQ youth in our community, featuring the Catalyst Awards presentation, a cocktail reception and silent auction to benefit ROSMY. The evening will also feature awards for Guy Kinman, The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Saturday, May 5th, 2012 from 7 – 11 pm at the Tuckahoe Woman’s Club.
God-Des and She to Appear at VCU. Queer Action at VCU is hosting God-Des and She as their March performance! A hip-hop/pop/soul
duo bred in the Midwest, God-Des and She now play to packed venues all over the world from New York to Sweden. God-Des and She’s energy and talent have caught the attention of industry and listeners alike, ever since they appeared on Showtime’s
hit series “The L Word.” This will be a free show held in the Richmond Salons in the VCU Commons on March
8th at 7:00 pm. The suggested age is 18+.
Gaye Adegbalola and Roddy Barnes Return to GCCR. Experience the dynamic and compelling performance of Adegbalola and Barnes as they conjure up another era and put on one hell of a show. Gaye Adegbalola embraces and redefines the classic style of the great blues divas of the 1920s and 1930s. Roddy Barnes is a classically trained pianist and can play any genre, but excels in the
old-timey sound that works best with this music. Saturday, March 17 at 8 pm. Doors open at 7:30 pm. All seating is general admission.
Tickets are $5 in advance, $10 at the door, at Diversity Thrift and DT2. They will also be available online.
Movie Screening of “Brother Outsider”. A master strategist and tireless activist, Bayard Rustin is best remembered as the
organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, one of the largest nonviolent protests ever held in the United States. He brought Gandhi’s protest techniques to the American civil rights movement, and helped mold Martin Luther King, Jr. into an international
symbol of peace and nonviolence.
You are invited to a screening and discussion of the award-winning film “BROTHER OUTSIDER: THE LIFE OF BAYARD RUSTIN” on Sunday, March 18th, at 4 PM in the GCCR Classroom. A $5 donation is suggested.
GCCR Participates in CFC, CVC, and LGS Campaigns. GCCR is pleased to participate in the Combined Federal Campaign, the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign for State employees, and the Local Government and Schools Campaign.
Our charity numbers are:
CFC: 74787
CVC: 3802
LGS: 8183
GCCR is listed in these directories under our legal name: “Richmond Gay Community Foundation.” We thank all the Federal, State and local government employees who support our work by selecting GCCR during the enrollment period.
Support GCCR by Becoming a Member
As you read through this newsletter and see the vast array of programs and services we offer — programs for GLBT seniors, concerts and activities, support and discussion groups, social opportunities plus the assistance we give to other LGBT supportive agencies and groups, please consider becoming a member of the Gay Community Center of Richmond. Membership in GCCR is only $35 per year, and is a great way to help us to continue and expand our important work. Our ability to provide programs and services and grant other organization the use of our facility depends on the financial support of involved community members like you. We rely on the generosity of individual donors to operate and maintain our Center, and our need for individual donations has doubled in 2011!
“As a Realtor, it has been my honor this year to donate a portion of my home sales to GCCR. I really admire the work they are doing to help all of our community. It is wonderful to show incoming relocating GLBT families GCCR’s involvement in making
a better community for all of us.”
GCCR Member and Donor at the Champion level Wanda Fears. In addition to supporting the mission of GCCR, members get discounts every day at Diversity Thrift and DT2, and free admission to up to four concerts and events at GCCR! Please click this link and become a member of GCCR or go to GayRichmond.com to learn more about our programs, services, and benefits of membership
