Page 23 - Gilbert Awards 6-Year Scrapbook

2012 Winner, Diverse/Multicultural Communities:

L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center - Los Angeles, CA

The Center provides a broad array of services for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender commu-

nity, welcoming nearly a quarter-million client visits from ethnically diverse youth and adults each year.

Through its Jeffrey Goodman Special Care Clinic and on-site pharmacy, the Center offers free and low-
cost mental health and medical care; and also provides social, cultural, and educational services, with

unique programs for seniors, families and youth. Website: www.lagaycenter.org

Program:

Seniors Services

The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center

operates the only fully integrated Seniors

Services program for lesbian, gay, bisex-

ual or transsexual (LGBT) seniors in the

Greater Los Angeles area. Alzheimer’s
disease impacts LGBT seniors at the

same rate as their heterosexual

peers. As a result, the Center’s Seniors

Services program developed monthly

Alzheimer’s (Disease) Caregiver and
Bereavement support groups. These are

the only support groups specifically for

LGBT caregivers and partners living with

Alzheimer’s disease in the nation. Those

who participate in the Caregiver support

groups also have access to a system of
comprehensive wrap-around care with

legal, medical, and mental health

services.

“Besides it being gratifying to receive such a prestigious recognition, the direct impact of this award

is to highlight the critical needs that exist with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender seniors and

caregivers. Five or ten years ago the needs of this group were scarcely known or talked about in aging

circles.” - Kathleen Sullivan, PhD, Director, Seniors Services, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center

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