Dear Pacific Center Community,

On the heels of a very rough election, Queer Joy is more needed than ever. For more than 50 years, Pacific Center for Human Growth has been helping to build Queer Joy in the LGBTQIA+ and QTBIPOC communities of the Bay. We are deeply dedicated to and passionate about creating spaces where the queer community can be seen, heard, appreciated, supported, and celebrated. Providing our critical, life-changing services is essential to our community's mental well-being and crucial in producing Queer Joy for all.

While 2024 has not been an easy year globally or nationally, or even locally, it’s been a year of growth and sustained ability to support our community for Pacific Center. We’ve been at our new location in Downtown Berkeley, right near BART, for over a year now, and things have really been blossoming for the organization. We have grown to a staff of over 20 and have increased our clinician cohort to a larger size, serving more community members in our clinic than ever before. We have brought more of our peer groups back to in-person and hybrid facilitation. (And on that note, thanks to a private donor we have upgraded our hybrid service delivery to be more inclusive of our community members who cannot come to the Center in person.) Our Mental Health at the Intersections conference hit capacity for the first time! All of this puts us in a good position to deliver the life-saving and much-needed services we offer to our community in the coming dark days. And, to continue being a strong-hold for Queer Joy.

Last but not least, we launched Berkeley’s very own Pride Even in August! It was a joyful and sweet event, with more than 100 community members visiting the Center for a resource fair and an evening of entertainment and camaraderie. Stay tuned and join us for the second annual Berkeley Pride, also themed with Queer Joy, to take place August 16, 2025–save the date!

Throughout our 50-plus years, our accomplishments are thanks to you, our community and supporters. Investing in Pacific Center is investing in Queer Joy!

Queer Joy is access to affirming and safe mental health support.

Queer Joy is safe and affirming spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth.

Queer Joy is Living Fully!

Queer Joy is access to culturally-responsive and trauma-informed services.

Queer Joy is advocacy and social justice work that dismantles systemic inequity.

Queer Joy is a future where all LGBTQIA+ and QTBIPOC people can thrive.

Together, we can create, support, and live into Queer Joy by reaching every LGBTQIA+ and QTBIPOC person in the Bay Area in need of our services. We need to raise $30,000 by December 31st to sustain our programs and services for a happy and impactful 2025. Your thoughtful donation today helps fuel work toward equity and joy for the LGBTQIA+ and QTBIPOC communities of the Bay and strengthens the promise of Queer Joy and liberation, and stabilizes our organization in offering care to our community when it’s needed most.

May your coming year be sweet and full of Queer Joy! Thank you for being part of the Pacific Center community.

With immense gratitude for your generosity,

Lasara Firefox Allen (they/them)

Executive Director

Pacific Center

P.S. When you make a monthly donation today, you help us reach our goal AND you allow us to sustain these programs for all the joyful futures to come!

Queer Joy 2024 Campaign

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