The LGBT Center of Central PA’s building at 1306 N. 3rd Street in Harrisburg was filled with throngs of eager volunteers on Saturday coming to help transform our space. Teams were taping, priming and painting, moving furniture and installing shelves throughout the day. The end result was amazing – the fresh coats of paint really brightening up our space, and the “Q Lounge” (our youth hang out space) looked like a completely different room.
So much of the work that we do at the Center is creating safe spaces for people to be who they are. Whether that’s LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, LGBTQ+ older adults or anyone in between, we are all seeking community, connection and support amidst a society that constantly seeks to invalidate our identities and our existence. Having a physical space that is more welcoming and feels like “home” goes a long way to helping us to foster these safe spaces for so many people.
One of my favorite parts of the day came at the end, when a small team of volunteers were installing the final shelves and hanging the “this is our happy place” picture in the Q Lounge. One of the small kids who was there asked, “Is this a living room? Do people live here? Is this a family?” I smiled and answered, “A lot of people find family here.” And that’s the truth – for LGBTQ+ people we often become each other’s chosen family – and having a space that reflects that is really powerful and affirming for us.
We are so incredibly grateful to the entire team at Comcast for making this possible. As a small nonprofit, we would not have been able to make these improvements to our space without your generosity, so thank you so much for making us part of your Comcast Cares Day – bringing an awesome crew of volunteers and underwriting the cost of the facility improvements. We are grateful to everyone who came out to help improve the Center’s space, and especially to LaToya Robinson and the OUT@Comcast Employee Resource Group for coordinating everything.
Amanda L. Arbour
Executive Director
LGBT Center of Central PA
