 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Lambda Community Center opened in 1986 to serve Sacramento gays, lesbians and bisexuals with a financial boost from an unlikely benefactor: the Rev. Jerry Falwell. Actually, the contribution wasn't voluntary. A judge ordered the Moral Majority leader to pay $5,000 plus interest to center co-founder Jerry Sloan, who won a lawsuit over Falwell's comments condemning a mostly gay and lesbian church.Sloan used some of the money to buy chairs for the center, which he and three others started as a meeting place. The space opened in a midtown Victorian with about $800 from a defunct community fund established by several activist groups, including drag queens, a biker's club and a church.
"A center was badly needed," Sloan recalled. "By 1986, we were in the middle of the AIDS crisis. We said, "AIDS is a big problem, but we've got other issues out there too.' We needed a place where the community could just come to meet."
The Lambda Community Center is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month. During that decade, observers said, it has become the keystone for a community grappling with health, political and social issues.
"I don't know where we would be if it hadn't been there," said Rev. Freda Smith, pastor of River City Metropolitan Community Church. "The Lambda center has made such a significant difference in our community."
The center has matured from its colorful grass-roots origins into a widely respected community institution. The nonprofit organization has 14 staff workers, about 150 core volunteers and a budget of $280,000.
The agency more than tripled in size last year with a move from its beloved but impractical Victorian to a refurbished 4,000-square-foot office building at 919 20th St. More than 20,000 people from six counties call or visit annually.
The group's leadership seems to have gained a footing after years of turnover, observers said. The board of directors expanded from eight to 20 members to better reflect Sacramento's diverse gay, lesbian and bisexual community. The administration was overhauled to improve performance.
"The center grew from a small number of individuals with a lot of motivation but not much experience running an organization, to a more professional, managed structure," former president Larry Hoover said. "It's a natural evolution."
Social programs, educational classes, referral listings and cultural activities have increased. Activities sponsored by Lambda or groups that rent space at the center include women's health programs, youth groups, investment seminars and rehearsals by the award-winning Lambda Players theater group.
"Gays, lesbians and bisexuals in the past have been dealing with a lot of issues, like AIDS and attacks on our civil rights," operations director Michael O'Donahue said. "Now the community is at a point where the center can broaden its programs to serve other needs as well."
But growth also increased financial demands. O'Donahue said the center is reducing reliance on unstable grant sources, including two Sacramento County contracts for AIDS programs that make up 60 percent of spending.
Although the agency has no major debts, the operations director said, the budget projection includes a $60,000 shortfall.
"Even after 10 years, there's a real possibility the center could cease to exist because of money," president emeritus Marghe Covino said. "We need people in the community to support their community center."
A "founders' wall" of glass bricks at the center purchased by donors has raised $13,000, O'Donahue said. A check from the recent Rainbow Festival, an annual fund-raiser for Lambda and other groups, also is expected be to presented at the center's 10th anniversary party.
The celebration is set for Sept. 28 at the center, including a reception for former and current volunteers at 5 p.m. and a public party from 7 to 10 p.m.
"We invited Jerry Falwell," O'Donahue said. "We think he'd be surprised."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|