AMERICA’S FIRST LGBT SENIORS’ CENTRE TO OPEN

New York will be home to America’s first full-time centre for older LGBT people, providing services to the thousands of LGBT seniors living in the city.

On Wednesday, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg awarded the contract to open the centre to Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE), America’s oldest and largest organisation dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT older adults.

The SAGE Centre, set to open in January 2012, will include program sites in all five New York City boroughs—bringing an array of services and support to LGBT elders throughout the city.

SAGE says that it plans to create vibrant programming for the growing population of LGBT older adults living in New York City who do not use their local centres for fear of discrimination.

The new centre will offer hot meals, programs covering issues from health and wellness to workplace skills, comprehensive social services, a wide range of social activities, and much more.

“SAGE is honoured to have this opportunity to strengthen the programs and services we offer to address the unique needs of LGBT older people in New York City,” said Michael Adams, Executive Director of SAGE.

“Opening The SAGE Centre has been our dream for many years. We are thrilled to be part of a bold initiative that emphasises innovation in aging services; SAGE is committed to building program models that can be replicated in New York City and nationwide.”