Addressing, protecting and enhancing quality of life for our community members is at the core of our work at The Center. Through a range of programs, services and events, we provide the mental and physical health resources that our community needs to live happy, healthy lives.
The Center is here to offer support for the mind and body when it is needed most. Our services are provided by a variety of peer and allied professionals who understand the unique struggles of our community and are here to make life better for LGBT people.
For Emergency Services, please dial 911 to receive immediate medical attention.
The Center is a designated navigator for the NY State of Health Official Health Plan Marketplace. We offer insurance enrollment support to help you navigate the options available.
For professionals interested in training and internships, The Center offers several options to support your career development.
The Center offers the only New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) licensed, outpatient substance use treatment program specifically designed for the LGBT community. This medically supervised, intensive program for substance use and dependence uses an abstinence-based model and incorporates a range of holistic services. If you are at least 13 years of age and would like help leading a healthier, sober life, The Center is here for you.
For more information about our recovery program and services, please call The Center or email recovery@gaycenter.org.
To find a 12-step meeting, please visit the Inter-Group Association of Alcoholics Anonymous of New York website.
I wasn’t ashamed any longer. The Center's recovery groups were a safe and supportive place to open up.Conor
Conor entered The Center’s outpatient recovery program with an addiction to crystal meth and alcohol. He had already been through two inpatient (as well as three outpatient) programs. Nothing was working. When Conor started treatment at The Center, something changed.
“I was able to finally be myself and talk about the real issues that were causing me to constantly relapse. I felt very comfortable discussing personal issues regarding my health, sexual orientation, dating and relationships. I wasn’t ashamed any longer. The Center’s recovery groups were a safe and supportive place to open up,” Conor explained.
While at The Center, Conor worked with his counselor and case manager to go back to school. By the time he successfully completed the program, he was enrolled at CUNY’s Borough of Manhattan Community College.
Conor recently graduated from The BMCC School of Nursing with honors and gave the commencement speech at his graduation. Conor aspires to work as a nurse in the field of mental health and addiction.
To preserve and enhance our community members’ quality of life, The Center provides a range of mental and physical health resources. From HIV and AIDS support, to mental health services to programming for our transgender community and substance use treatment, The Center is here to help.
To learn more about referrals to providers, individual counseling or support groups, get in touch with The Center today.
Being transgender in NYC can be very hard, but I am lucky to have The Center, a place that understands me.Manuela
“I have been living with HIV since 1997, and it hasn’t been an easy journey. Back then, I decided to follow my dreams to begin my gender transition from male to female. Over the years I struggled to find the support that would help me get through my difficult times. Connecting to The Center was the right choice for me. I’ve gone to short-term counseling at The Center and I see a big difference.
My relationship with my boyfriend has improved dramatically; he tells me that I seem much happier and easier to get along with. Even my doctor has told me that my overall health has improved over the last few months. I feel very lucky to be able connect to other trans people who share similar interests. Being transgender in NYC can be very hard, but I am lucky to have The Center, a place that understands me.”
The Center offers field internship placements in multiple program areas. These educational opportunities are for students who want to work with the LGBT community and are pursuing degrees in social work (MSW), counseling (MHC), marriage and family therapy (MFT), psychology (PhD, Psy-D) and addiction (CASAC-T).
The Center has been providing technical assistance to organizations, service providers and government agencies since our inception in the 1980s. Through specialized training sessions, our workshops offer important information, resources and creative clinical skills to help professional care providers better serve their LGBT clients.
For more information on The Center’s internships and professional training, call The Center or email programinternships@gaycenter.org.
