The Pride Centre of Edmonton came to be in the spring of 2004, when the board of GLCCE (Gay and Lesbian Community Centre of Edmonton) opted to cease operations and transfer all their assets to a new organization to be known as the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Pride Centre of Edmonton. In the summer of 2006, due to reasons beyond the control of the Centre, they were forced to move. The Centre has played a large part in the history of the GLBTQ community in Alberta by providing resources, services and education.
The Pride Centre is open to everyone, including: gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer people (GLBTQ) as well as questioning and straight-indentifying individuals who are supportive of the GLBTQ community. The Centre provides a non-judgmental and safe space where people can be themselves, find support, meet new people and be part of a community. The Centre provides services for everyone, but in turn need everyone’s help to keep the Centre’s doors open.
In fact, recent developments have meant that the Pride Centre is in desperate need of the community’s financial support.
The Pride Centre does not profit from anything that they offer, however it costs them over $200 per day to stay up and running. These funds come mainly from the care and generosity of our community. Monthly expenses include rent, phone, electrical, gas, and salaries, totaling to $6,370 per month. The nature of the Centre means they are a non-profit organization and therefore, the staff who are paid, are paid minimally – mostly they do it out of care for the community.
I asked Brendan Van Alstine, the Youth Program Coordinator, why he thought the Centre was receiving little to no donations. He believes it has more to do with a lack of awareness of how much it costs to run the Centre, and/or a lack of awareness of the Centre in general. This past year the Centre has been working on becoming more involved in the community by undertaking new outreach programs such as presentations to schools and organizations, as well as being actively involved in the community by attending events to which they are invited.
When speaking to members of the community as to why they might not want to donate money to the Centre, the common issue is that people are afraid the money goes all into the overhead and none of it is getting back to the community. In actual fact, the highest percentage of the funds donated to the Centre go to rent; this allows the Centre to have the drop in area where everyone is welcome to come and access the public computer terminals, areas for support groups to meet, the extensive library, and an overall safe space to be themselves.
The Centre is very fortunate with all the support it receives from volunteers, but without further financial support the Centre faces the possibility of closing its doors. Closure of the Centre would be a huge loss to the community, the city and the province. Any amount will help make a difference! Let’s show our community pride and help keep the Edmonton Pride Centre open and continuing to provide much needed public awareness and education, maintaining a safe place for all, and providing a valuable resource for counseling, groups, services, and information.
If you are willing to make a donation please visit www.pridecentreofedmonton.org and click Make a Donation, contact the Centre administrator Will Sutherland at Will@pridecentreofedmonton.org or by phone at 780-488-3234.
