The Montrose Center

The Montrose Center is a leading LGBTQ community center in the United States, located in Houston, Texas. Established in 1978 as the Montrose Counseling Center, it has evolved into one of the nation's largest and most comprehensive organizations serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community.

History

The Montrose Center was founded following the success of Town Hall Meeting I at the Astrodome. Initially, it focused on providing counseling and therapy services to LGBTQ individuals. Over the years, it faced financial challenges, particularly due to the high costs of healthcare for employees living with HIV/AIDS. However, the center received significant funding through the Ryan White CARE Act in the 1990s, allowing it to expand its services. In 2013, the name was changed to the Montrose Center to reflect its broadened scope of services beyond counseling.

Mission and Vision

The Montrose Center aims to empower LGBTQ individuals and their families to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives. Its vision seeks a society with positive attitudes and behaviors toward the LGBTQ community, enabling all LGBTQ individuals to achieve their full potential.

Programs and Services

The center offers a wide range of services, including:

• Mental and Behavioral Health: Provides mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and support groups.
• Youth Programs: The Hatch Youth program supports LGBTQ youth through social activities, education, and events like proms, helping to address homelessness and bullying.
• Senior Support: Offers comprehensive services for seniors, including the Law Harrington Senior Living Center and the Seniors Preparing for Rainbow Years (SPRY) program.
• Anti-Violence Services: A member of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, providing support for survivors of domestic violence.
• Community Space: Serves as a cultural hub for Houston's LGBTQ community, hosting various social and civic organizations.

Impact

The Montrose Center impacts more than 100,000 lives annually, making it a significant force for change in the lives of LGBTQ individuals and their families. It continues to expand its services and advocacy in support of the LGBTQ community.

[1] https://www.giveoutday.org/organization/Montrosecenter [2] https://montrosecenter.org/about/ [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montrose_Center [4] https://montrosecenter.org/services/ [5] https://montrosecenter.org