About Us
| OutCenter Advances Mission With New Leadership Transition | ||
The OutCenter Board, Southwest Michigan’s resource center for the gay community, announces that Mary Jo Schnell has become the organization’s interim executive director. This is part of a longer-term leadership transition process to advance the mission of the OutCenter and its critical role to serve lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons and their families. Mary Jo Schnell will leverage not only over 20 years nonprofit sector experience, but also her nonprofit interim executive training received in 2008 from Executive Services Corps in Chicago (www.esc-chicago.org). She will work closely with the Board and its Executive Officers to engage internal and external stakeholders in this most important process, and in support of the OutCenter’s civic engagement program, library and cyber center, and support groups. |
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“We are confident that Mary Jo will help take the OutCenter to the next level and ensure the organization continues to impact the community while remaining a leading voice on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons and their families in Southwest Michigan. She brings vast professional experience that builds upon and strengthens the OutCenter’s reach as a key social justice organization in this area,” said Brian Savage, the OutCenter’s Board President. Santiago Lopez previously served as the interim director, stepping into the position from the Board President role at the end of March 2012, and providing an important bridge between Jen Hsu's leadership and the Board's search for a permanent replacement. |
Mission Statement
The mission of the OutCenter is to provide support and advocacy for respect, understanding and nondiscrimination to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied persons and their families in Berrien County, MI.
Vision Statement
The OutCenter envisions Berrien County as a fully integrated community in which lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons and their families are welcome, respected, valued, understood, and afforded the same rights and responsibilities as everyone else.
Values Statement
The OutCenter Believes:
1. All members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community regardless of age, ability, race, gender, socio-economic class, sexual orientation, or gender identity deserve to be welcomed, celebrated and to become an integral part of a healthy society.
2. The inherent dignity, value and worth of all human beings must be upheld regardless of age, ability, race, gender, socio-economic class, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
3. Violence, racism, gender injustice, classism and homophobia must be eradicated.
4. All individuals have a right and responsibility to full participation in society.
5. We should strive to develop an attitude of acceptance, appreciation and affirmation of all forms of diversity. Diversity is an asset.
6. Investing in youth is essential for their future and our community.
7. We should strive to develop a culture that fosters social activism that works to counter injustice.
8. It is our responsibility to challenge popular culture, media, faith communities, religious institutions and texts that perpetuate the devaluation of people based on age, ability, race, gender, class, sexual orientation and gender identity.
9. We should strive as an organization to be as "green" as possible at all times in all places. Everyone has a responsibility to work for a healthy and sustainable natural environment.
Our Supporters
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History
In the summer of 2003 the Woman's Community Association of Berrien County along with concerned members of the lesbian gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and their supporters, came together with a unified vision of a youth and adult hotline to serve the LGBT community in southwest Michigan. With the help of talented individuals, dedicated volunteers and concerned local businesses the YWCA Out & Affirmation Center was born. Over the years it was able to expand its vision to include support programs, educational outreach, and community events.
In the spring of 2008 the YWCA Out & Affirmation Center began its transition to become an independent non-profit organization incorporating in the state of Michigan as the OutCenter. The OutCenter continues to serve as an active and highly visible symbol for the LGBT community of southwest Michigan.
In November 2009, the OutCenter moved to its new home in the Arts District of Benton Harbor, Michigan. The center has a cyber center, lending library, gallery space and offers adult support groups, youth group and cultural programming.
Board of Directors
Brian Savage
Chair
Stuart Macmillan
Vice Chair
Frederick Gibby
Treasurer
Rich Hensel
Secretary
Erin Brown
B Jo Ann Mundy
Oliver Songlingco
Staff
Interim Executive Director: Mary Jo Schnell
Program Assistant: Mary Balfoort
132 Water Street
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
269.925.8330
info@outcenter.org
Tues - Fri 12pm-5pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm