(LOS ANGELES) /PRNewswire/ — Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing (GLEH), the nation’s only affordable housing development and organization for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) older adults, announced that it raised over $250,000 at its 8th annual Garden Party event entitled “Celebrating Equality’s Pioneers.” The amount raised came from corporate sponsorships, ticket sales, as well as items sold at the silent auction.

Leeza Gibbons

“We are extremely grateful for the tremendous support of the community who came out to support Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing,” said Mark Supper, Executive Director of Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing. “By providing high-quality affordable multi-cultural housing to low-income Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender elders, our donors can be assured that their support helps us to provide vital social services to some of the most vulnerable and under-served seniors in our community.”

During the course of the afternoon’s event entitled “Celebrating Equality’s Pioneers,” Leeza Gibbons delivered a very inspirational and empowering speech addressing the importance of care giving and the importance of providing compassionate services and care to our elders, who have contributed so tirelessly before us and shaped our society into the rich and diverse community we have today. Sharon Gless delivered a very heartfelt and moving speech as well as a call to action on the importance of taking care of our elders, and specifically our LGBT elders and the courage they have displayed through their actions, determination and revolutionary leadership.  Entertainment was choreographed by Mental Head Circus and featured fashions by Andrew Christian.

Sharon Gless

This event was not only a chance for supporters of Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing to take part in an exceptional fund-raising event together, but it was an invitation to the community to celebrate and experience the magic of the nation’s first affordable housing development providing vital housing and social support services to some of the nation’s most vulnerable seniors.

Each year, as our senior population grows, countless low-income LGBT seniors are faced with the challenge of securing safe, permanent affordable housing and social services that address their specific concerns and meet their unique needs. The program is dependent on the contributions and support of the community, private foundations, donors and volunteers.

Contact: Jesse Greika
Phone 619-497-1970
Mobile 619-849-0991
Email: jesse@mankindvideo.com

Mankind offering FREE NO H8 T-Shirts and screening!

In conjunction with National Coming Out Day, The National Equality March in Washington D.C., The NO H8 campaign and the counter-protests in San Diego against the WBC Church, Mankind (3425 Fifth Avenue, SD 92103) will be offering, for a limited time, FREE “NO H8″ design during the entire month of October.  For more information contact Mankind at 619-497-1970.

Limit one per person, while supplies last.

If you would like more information, please contact Jesse Greika or visit the Mankind store at 3425 Fifth Avenue, SD 92103.

Lorri L. Jean, chief executive officer of the Center

The funds will help the Center enable LGBT seniors to remain in their homes as they age, without relocating to an assisted-living facility or nursing home, by accessing a variety of support services that are LGBT-sensitive. The grant will also fund the addition of two new staff people, including a case manager.
 
“We’re seeing a growing demand for services by LGBT seniors as the Baby Boomers hit retirement age,” said Arielle Rosen, director of the Center’s Senior Services Department. “Most LGBT seniors don’t feel comfortable at traditional senior centers and come to us for support and assistance. More and more of them are finding it difficult to pay their bills, and some are even at risk of being homeless after losing their lifelong partner, along with his or her Social Security benefits.”
 
Alice, 73, recently contacted the Center in distress after the death of her partner of more than 40 years. She was facing imminent eviction because, without the couple’s combined Social Security benefits, she could no longer afford to maintain their residence. Because the federal government does not recognize same-sex relationships, there are no benefits for the surviving spouse.
 
Without these survivor benefits – something heterosexual seniors take for granted – many LGBT seniors must scramble to make ends meet at a time when they’re emotionally vulnerable and most in need. Fortunately for Alice, the Center was able to help her find a new home and she has become an active participant in the Center’s grief and loss support group.
 
“For many years, the LGBT community’s programs for our elders have been ignored and shut out by federal funders,” said Michael Adams, executive director of Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE). “It’s a major breakthrough for the Obama Administration to right that wrong as a matter of policy and take an important step forward in recognizing the needs of LGBT older adults.”
 
The Center’s Senior Services Department provides a full slate of activities to enrich the lives and address the needs of LGBT seniors, including support groups, dinners, cultural excursions and weekly exercise, writing computer and art classes. The department also refers seniors to other Center services such as counseling, legal services and self-enrichment courses.
 
The Center is uniquely situated to provide these services, given the large population of LGBT seniors in Los Angeles and the Center’s proximity to Triangle Square, built and operated by Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing as the nation’s first affordable housing facility for LGBT seniors.

In the spirit of Harvey Milk’s philanthropic legacy, San Diego Pride has established a “Milk Money” drive that will bestow monies to three reputable San Diego charities throughout the holiday season.  Individual or corporate donations made to the Milk Money drive will directly support meal deliveries to those living with cancer or AIDS through Mama’s Kitchen, provide funding to The Trevor Project’s national suicide prevention hotline for LGBT youth, and assist in the Toys for Kids’ annual distribution, sponsored by the Imperial Court de San Diego.

“Each organization provides a vital role in assisting the most needed segments of the community, especially during the holidays, notes Ron deHarte, executive director of San Diego Pride. “No one should have to go hungry while suffering from a life threatening disease. No teenager should feel so isolated that suicide seems like the only option. And no child should be forgotten when we all have the ability to brighten their holidays with toys,” he adds.

Contributions can be made online at www.MilkMoney.Kintera.org up to December 15, or checks may be sent directly to San Diego Pride, P.O. Box 34366, San Diego, CA  92163.
For 35 years, San Diego Pride has been a tireless advocate for equality and diversity.  Core programs focus on activism and awareness, community services, youth, our environment and HIV/AIDS supportive services.  The organization produces the annual parade and festival, which have grown from a small grass roots march for equal rights, into the largest equal rights events in San Diego County.

For more information, call the Pride office at: 619-297-7683 or visit the web site: SanDiegoPride.org.

Paul Hering

Barney & Barney, San Diego’s oldest and largest insurance brokerage firm, officially ended its summer-long centennial celebration last week with an October 1 event at the San Diego Natural History Museum.  As part of the commemoration, more than $260,000 in grant funding was allocated to local charities.
In July, Barney & Barney owners and associates created the Barney & Barney foundation, a 501 (c)3 charitable organization.  The foundation’s mission is to provide for those in need, support our youth, advance the arts and protect the environment.

“Barney & Barney has a long history of giving back to the community, and we’re kicking that into overdrive this year in celebration of our 100th year in business,” said Paul Hering, managing principal and chief executive officer of Barney & Barney in a July press release.  “We’re thrilled to bring our associates into this effort and look forward to allocating funds to local charities—many of which are having a particularly tough time in the current economic environment.” 

Alberto Cortez

Barney & Barney owners set a $250,000 fundraising benchmark in their summer long campaign to raise money for local charities. To fully engage employees in the process and create a little friendly competition, Barney & Barney established 30 fundraising teams, composed of 10-13 employees each, which competed to raise funds across the organization.
 
Exceeding expectations, the Barney & Barney foundation awarded $260,000 to 10 Southern California charities that were selected by the company’s employees. Among the organizations that were recognized were Rady Children’s Hospital ($50,000), San Diego Hospice ($25,000), Neighborhood House ($25,000), Mama’s Kitchen ($5,000) and the San Diego Symphony ($5,000).
 
Said Mama’s Kitchen Executive Director: Alberto Cortés, “We are a client of Barney & Barney and one of their employees suggested we be considered for the grant.  Mama’s Kitchen put in a grant application at their request and they were gracious enough to fund us at $5,000, which we will use to purchase food and containers for our home delivery program.  We are really honored that we’re among this year’s grant recipients.”