(photo by Sheila Mink)
New Mexico GLBTQ Centers, Inc. announced November 16, 2008 that the opening of the first of six regional community centers will take place in June 2009. The Southern Regional Center in Las Cruces will open in conjunction with Southern New Mexico Pride, June 20, 2009.
A group of over 30 community members attended the announcement at Peace Lutheran Church in Las Cruces. A presentation by David Stocum, interim Executive Director of NM Centers, detailed the location in the Alameda-Depot Historic District near downtown Las Cruces. In addition to a virtual tour Stocum described the proposed start-up programs including a teen drop in center, peer facilitated support groups, library and community meeting space. Future programs will be developed based on the ongoing New Mexico GLBTQ Community Needs Assessment which will be completed in the spring of 2009.
“The Southern Regional Center will serve as the pilot center to test our business model and programs prior to rolling out additional centers over the next several years,” according to Stocum. A generous member of the Las Cruces community is making the center possible by “giving us a significant discount on rent, making some improvements and allowing us to configure the building as we need,” continued Stocum.
New Mexico GLBTQ Centers also announced a Membership Drive to help fund the opening of the Southern Regional Center and operation of the statewide organization. Information on the membership plans is available by contacting the Centers at info@newmexicoglbtq.org.
A Local Managing Board for the regional center is forming in addition to the statewide Board of Directors for New Mexico GLBTQ Centers. Board President Richard Scramstad is spearheading this effort and may be contacted at president@newmexicoglbtqcenters.org.
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