The Pride Center at Equality Park celebrates its 30th year at the center. They are the local LGBTQ+ heartbeat of the community whose mission is to “provide a welcoming, safe space, inclusive home, that celebrates, nurtures, and empowers the LGBTQ+ communities and our friends and neighbors in South Florida."
The Pride Center spearheads ongoing advocacy, education, voter registration, and issue-focused outreach. Their support programs include Women with Pride, Transgender Services, Active Aging and Wellness with Pride.
Robert Boo is the Executive Director of the Center. He is the point man for increased programming, diversity and expansion. Under his auspices and tenure dating back to 2006 the center has become a national model for 21st century growth. The center is the "Go-To Place where our community gathers."
"Coffee and Conversation" meets Tuesdays 10-11:30. For many seniors, C&C is the only contact they have with the outside world. At C&C folks can relax, be themselves and enjoy each others' company. By having a different sponsor each week, attendees are made aware of the plethora of community resources in our area.
If you need access to culturally proficient services contact The Pride Center's Active Aging Manager Bruce Williams who says, "For some seniors C&C might be the only social interaction they have all week. We decrease isolation and increase social support. We provide linkage services to connect participants with necessary resources, alongside wellness workshops."
The center hosts more than 65 regularly meeting groups each month. Support, social and educational groups focus on seniors, youth, women, men, transgender individuals, recovery, health, the arts, athletics, spirituality, games, including The Recovery 12 Steps Group (AA @ Pride Center), which won Best Support Group in this year Readers' Choice Award.
On the third Thursday of each month, Equality Park transforms itself into an entertaining evening market under the stars. Equality Park After Dark featuring an immersive artisan market featuring food trucks, multicultural cuisine, vintage finds, jewelry, art, music, soaps, candles and more.
The evening is filled with fun, a diverse crowd, many bringing their dogs, partners, family and friends and all the while feasting on dinner, joking , shopping and enjoy the opportunity to relax among the gardens.
Samantha McCoy, Customer Service Manager at the Center, coordinates the market and she is very pleased that the market was named as Best Farmers Market by the readers of OutSFL.
Runner-up for Best Farmers Market: Yellow Green Farmers Market (Hollywood)
Runner-up for Best Support Group: SunServe Youth
Runner-up for Best Group for Seniors: SilverServe at SunServe
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