January 8, 2009, Common Roads and the LGBT Community Center Coalition of Central Pennsylvania formally merged into one organization. Coming after several months of careful study and review by boards of directors of both organizations, the formal merger resolution was adopted unanimously. The newly merged organization will temporarily retain the name “LGBT Community Center Coalition” while a new name is being decided with the help of public comment directed through a naming contest.
“The merger represents a coming together of two unique and strong voices,” explained Ted Martin, newly elected president of the merged board. ”We think this is a bold step to greatly improve and expand services offered to central Pennsylvania’s LGBT community.”
The organizations began to seriously consider merging into one group in early summer 2008. As those discussions began, the leadership of both groups quickly realized that their primary constituencies were very similar. And while the groups they each served were different, a sense of a shared mission was swiftly forged.
“I think everyone on the board of the Community Center quickly reached the conclusion that we were stronger as one organization than as two,” said David Zwifka, founding and former board president of the LGBT Community Center Coalition. “Let’s face it, as small nonprofits in a turbulent economy, it just makes sense to work together. I think after we get through the initial few months of making sure all the pieces of this puzzle fit, we’ll be in far better shape to support the community and become a greater presence.”
The LGBT Community Center Coalition is much newer to the area having grown from a 2004 strategic-planning group called together by the Equity for Gays and Lesbians Fund (EGAL) of the Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) to survey the community and study the feasibility of an LGBT regional community center. Through a number of facilitated and self-driven sessions, exploring the community center “concept” gave birth to a board of directors that has been meeting monthly since November 2006. In the past two years, the Coalition has supported other LGBT organizations primarily through the underwriting of events.
For Common Roads, a community center had been on their minds for many years. “We were involved from the beginning with the discussions on a community center. Common Roads had always planned to become a part of any community center that was created for the region,” said Curtis Fenstermacher, former board president of Common Roads.
In existence for over 15 years, Common Roads has served LGBTQ youth exclusively, offering education, mentoring, safe space and overall support. Numerous “alumni” of the program have gone on to productive lives both here in central Pennsylvania and elsewhere, and the name “Common Roads” has become synonymous in the area with strong advocacy on behalf of young people.The mission of the LGBT Center Coalition is to create common ground for the LGBT community and allies in Central Pennsylvania by providing services through spiritual, educational and cultural activities that foster wholeness. For more information on the merger or the Winter Arts Festival, go to www.centralpalgbtcenter.org or call (717) 920-9534.
Moving forward, the newly merged organization faces a number of challenges not the least of which is the bringing together of both groups while keeping their strengths, programs and strategic visions intact. “The merger was done amicably,” Martin elaborated. “Every effort has been taken to ensure that the unique identities and missions of each organization are respected and furthered.”
Chief among Martin’s goals for the new organization is a significant increase in visibility and programming as well as locating a new physical shared space. He also stresses the need for public education on issues of importance to the LGBT community and believes this important goal can be achieved through more public events and a significant effort to build understanding through coalitions with other community organizations. Martin also wants to see an increased dialog with faith communities as well as a strong continuance of advocacy for young LGBT people.
“The LGBT Community Center Coalition remains committed to working together with other LGBT organizations in the area to find ways for greater cooperation, collaboration and mutual growth,” he explained. “For this organization to succeed, we must become a larger public presence. In fact, it is important for us to be seen as a facilitator of events AND conversation. That’s where our value will be found.”
In closing, he pointed to the upcoming Winter Arts Festival as the first step in improving the Center’s visibility. “This exciting festival was planned jointly by the boards of Common Roads and the Center Coalition and includes, among others, the Harrisburg Men’s Chorus, Central Pennsylvania Womyn’s Chorus and Positive Opportunities. It is a perfect first step for the merged group, and I think everyone who attends will have a wonderful time and learn something on top of it,” he concluded.
The Winter Arts Festival runs Jan. 17 to Feb. 21 and is coordinated through a central box office (717-910-0204). Proceeds benefit the Community Center Coalition and directly support the efforts of program arm, Common Roads. Contributing festival organizations will also be in line to benefit from event proceeds.
