Programs and Services
Youth Services
One of the guiding principles of promoting effective change is to provide youth with a safe and nurturing environment. Allies and LGBTQ Individuals Visualizing Equality (ALIVE) is a weekly youth group for anyone 14-18 years old who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning and their allies. A few meetings are held around town so youth can enjoy activities together such as hiking, bowling and ice skating! Find out more by contacting youthgroup@outcenter.org
Library
Recognizing how vitally important access to information is to our community, the OutCenter maintains one of the largest single collection of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender interest books and other information resources in southwest Michigan. In addition to hundreds of donations and loans from members of our local community, the Arcus Foundation awarded us a generous grant in 2005 to help make our library into a sizeable, relevant, and useful resource.
All media are available through our honor system lending policy. Check out a book and bring it back when you can. We also provide a quiet and comfortable reading space at the center and can hold books in reserve for multiple reading sessions. We also have equipment available for viewing videos and DVDs during your visit to the OutCenter.
We welcome your donations of LGBT interest books, DVDs and magazines.
Cyber Center
The OutCenter is proud to offer 3 public-access computers in our cyber center for community members to surf the web, check email, prepare documents and more. These computers are loaded with Microsoft Office Suite, video and music player capabilities and available printing services.
Training and Education
The OutCenter offers training and education to local schools, businesses, agencies and organizations. Creating dialogue and providing education is the first step in creating a welcoming environment. We prepare each of our trainings specifically for your needs. For more information please contact outreach@outcenter.org
Civic Engagement
Empowering people to advocate and speak out for themselves and the LGBT community is key to creating effective change. Our Civic Engagement committee organizes to educate and resource our community members to make a difference in our community. To learn more please contact civengagement@outcenter.org
Discussion and Support
Our Whole Lives, Healthy Lives support group is free and open to all LGBT adults and their allies. It is professionally facilitated and designed to provide a safe, therapeutic, and LGBT-affirming environment for participants to talk freely and find the support they need. Transportation may be arranged with advance notice and driver availability. The support group meets weekly on Mondays 7-9p.m. at the OutCenter.
VentureOUT
VentureOUT, is an activity-driven outdoor program in southwest Michigan. We are open to groups, couples and singles that are interested in participating in group-oriented activities. These activities provide a safe, as well as fun, way to get active and meet new people who support diversity and inclusion including but not limited to one’s sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
Some of our activities will include hiking, biking, kayaking, camping and even surfing! With VentureOUT, we strive to make life a daring adventure.
In order to engage people with varying resources, activities falling on the first Saturday of the month will be low or no cost. The activities falling on the third Saturday will be more varied in cost and ability, depending on activity and will require an RSVP at least 5 days in advance. Our hope is to engage as many people as possible from different interests and abilities. Carpool may be available, just ask! Contact us if you have any suggestions or requests at ventureout@outcenter.org. More info about VentureOUT is available here.
Website calendar will be updated frequently, check in event of inclement weather.
132 Water Street
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
269.925.8330
info@outcenter.org
Tues - Fri 12pm-5pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm