Community Foundation Boosts Q Center Services

ACR Health has added an essential service for Mohawk Valley lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth thanks to a grant from The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties that funded the part-time position of Q Center Educator/Case Manager.

“Youth come to the Q Center with many concerns,” said ACR Health Executive Director Wil Murtaugh. “The Community Foundation grant has made it possible for us to hire a Care Manager to connect youth with services they need to establish a stable future.”

“As our area’s only resource focused on LGBTQ youth and family support, the Q Center plays an instrumental role in creating an inclusive community,” said Alicia Dicks, president/CEO of The Community Foundation. “The Q Center works to ensure the health, safety and fair treatment of all seeking services, work that is enhanced by their welcoming and dedicated staff.”

The $29,436 grant confirms The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties’ standing as a social impact investor filling an unmet need of LGBTQ youth by networking them to problem-solving resources.

The Q Center Educator/Care Manager will assist youth in referral and connection of required services. This includes HIV/STD/Hepatitis C testing, mental health counseling, as well as referrals for health insurance, healthcare, and hormone replacement therapy providers. The Care Manager works to reunify families, connects youth to agencies that can assist with basic living needs like social services or food pantries, and agencies that can assist with school, resume building, and job hunting.

ACR Health’s Q Centers provide comprehensive programming for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer (LGBTQ) youth and young adults ages 8- 29 and children of LGBTQ parents, their families, allies, teachers, school administrators, school counselors, school social workers, and health and human service providers in our nine-county service area. Q Center programming seeks to promote family reunification, equality, celebrate diversity, and create a safer, more accepting and inclusive community for all.