Home > Programs & Services > Center Support

Center Support

Providing direct and peer support services since we opened our doors

Center Support includes:

 Resources and Referrals

The Pride Center of the Capital Region is your Center for all the info you need on being queer in the Capital Region. Whether you’re in need of a LGBT friendly therapist, lawyer or wedding officiant, you can find it, and much more!

Since the Pride Center opened our doors over 40 years ago, we have been the place for the Capital Region’s LGBT community to get connected to everything. The Access Pride Project is the revamped all new resource hub of the Pride Center of the Capital Region! Through the Access Pride Project, you can get information about; Legal resources, Trans resources, Substance abuse recovery, Education and training, Support groups, Religious/spiritual resources, Doctors, Wedding resources, Employment, Advocacy, Housing/homelessness, Social and dating, Family services, and much more!

For more information, or to have your questions answered now:

Call Us! Referrals are available by phone Monday-Friday between 9am and 5pm. After hours, please leave a message and someone will return your call. Our number is (518) 462-6138

Visit Us! To speak with someone in person by dropping by the Rainbow Café! The Café is Open 6-9PM Thursday and Sunday. The Rainbow Café was the first program of the Pride Center when we opened our doors in 1970. Staffed by an amazing team of volunteers, the Café is a great resource if you are looking for information, to get connected to the Pride Center’s programs and services, or if you just moved to the area.You can also borrow a book from our Joe Norton Lending Library, and use the free internet equipped computers.

Email Us! Email your request to programs@capitalpridecenter.org and someone will get back to you. Make sure to include all your contact information in case we have questions about your request. You can also check out the Pride Center website and monthly Community Newsletter for a complete listing.

Go to top

The Rainbow Drop-in Café

To speak with someone in person regarding the Access Pride Project resources and referrals, drop by The Rainbow Café! The Café is Open Thursdays and Sundays 6-9pm.   The Rainbow Café was the first program of the Pride Center when we opened our doors in 1970. Staffed by an amazing team of volunteers, the Café is a great resource if you are looking for information, to get connected to the Pride Center’s programs and services, or if you just moved to the area.

Go to top

Peer Support Groups

    • Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Men’s Support Group: MONDAYS 7pm, The Center (332 Hudson Ave, Albany)
      A support group for GBT men to talk about coming out, sex, religion, dating and other issues. For more information, contact the Pride Center at (518) 462-6138.

 

    • Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Women’s Support Group: TUESDAYS 7pm, the Center (332 Hudson Ave, Albany)A support group for LBT women to talk about coming out, sex, religion, dating, relationships, and other issues. For more information, contact the Pride Center at (518) 462-6138

 

    • Support Group for Family and Friends of LGBTQ People:
      Every 2nd Tues of the month at 7PM at the First Unitarian Society of Schenectady, 1221 Wendell Ave, Schenectady, NY.
      A support group for family and friends of LGBT people wanting resources and guidance on coming to terms with their family member.For more information, contact the Pride Center at (518) 462-6138 or Julia Helfman at (518) 372-9911.

Go to top

Center Counseling Services

Center Counseling services are offered through a partnership between the Pride Center and the State University of New York at Albany School of Social Welfare program. Low cost counseling is offered under the clinical supervision of Arlene Istar Lev., LCSW, CASAC.

Counseling services are offered to address issues such as:
Relationship and couple issues, family and parenting issues, healing trauma and abuse, sexual orientation and gender identity, depression and anxiety, addictions and recovery, living with HIV and chronic illness.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with a counselor,

call (518) 462-6138 ext. 12.

Go to top

Capital Region LGBT Mental Health and Substance Abuse Network

Building on our experience and reputation as specialists connecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community members to safe, sensitive, and supportive resources, the Pride Center is proud to announce the formation of the Capital Region LGBT Mental Health and Substance Abuse Network!

The Capital Region LGBT Mental Health and Substance Abuse Network’s mission is to create a community of providers who deliver culturally competent care to the underserved population of LGBT people, including LGBT people of color and transgender individuals. The Network connects providers to each other and national organizations and best practices in order to comprehensively address the needs of the LGBT community and identify best practices.

Studies show that LGBT individuals are more likely than their heterosexual counterparts to report hostile treatment and substandard care by their healthcare providers. Due to fear of negative consequences, LGBT clients are particularly unlikely to reveal information about their sexual orientation or gender identity. To complicate these matters, some healthcare providers often lack knowledge about LGBT issues and are therefore unable to provide the necessary resources and information to their clients. By joining the LGBT Mental Health and Substance Abuse Network, agencies and practitioners commit to providing culturally competent and inclusive care to LGBT people in their care, and the Pride Center will ensure that the latest research and program information is available for Network members to continue their professional development in these areas.

If you would like more information about the Network or would like to join, please contact Program Director Curran Streett by email at programs@capitalpridecenter.org or call 462-6138. If you are a provider who would like to join the Network, please click here to fill out the member sign up form. For information on upcoming events, please see our events calendar at www.capitalpridecenter.org/events.

Go to top

Recovery Groups, hosted by the Pride Center

Providing a safe and welcoming environment for community members in recovery to meet is part of the Pride Center’s commitment to promote the well being of LGBT people.
The following groups meet weekly at the Pride Center, 332 Hudson Ave:

  • Alcoholics Anonymous, All Genders : Every Sunday 7 PM
  • Alcoholics Anonymous, Men Only : Every Monday 7:30PM
  • Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous: Every Wednesday 6:30PM
  • Narcotics Anonymous: Every Thursday night 7:30PM

* These groups are not programs of the Pride Center, they are independent groups unaffiliated with any larger organization.

Go to top

Case Management Services

Case Management Services offer LGBT affirming,  low-cost, personalized assistance with:

Trans-specific health education information, obtaining identity documents, referrals for legal services to assist with gender marker changes, medical and mental health referrals, information and support to enter or reenter the workforce, navigating health insurance issues, advocacy and more.

Case management services are free for youth ages 13-21 and operates on a low-cost, sliding-scale fee system for adults over age 21.  The first session is free and an appointment is required to meet with the Mental Health Specialist.

To schedule an appointment for Case Management Services call 518.462.6138×12 or email casemanagement@capitalpridecenter.org.

Go to top