OutFront Kalamazoo Launches CREATE2021 Campaign

KALAMAZOO, MI November 23, 2020 – OutFront Kalamazoo, one of Michigan’s largest LGBTQ+ community centers, today launched a campaign entitled Create2021 that will help raise essential funding for the year ahead and gauge interest in the organization’s programs and services. 

“This has been a difficult year, but with support from the LGBTQ+ community and our allies we have met the challenges of 2020” said OutFront Kalamazoo Executive Director, Amy Hunter in a video announcement. “Our programs and services have been able to adapt and continue throughout this ongoing pandemic because people have stayed connected and engaged in the fight against injustice and inequality.”

Last month, OutFront Kalamazoo had announced that their annual Winter Gala, typically held in January, would not be held due to COVID-19. The event would normally raise a considerable portion of the not-for-profit organization’s annual budget. This newly designed fundraising initiative will give people throughout the region an easy way to make a gift and express their support for one or more of OutFront’s various programs and services.

“OutFront knows that keeping our community safe and strong meant that our Winter Gala would simply not be possible. Yet we had to find a new way to be prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the year ahead,” said Board President Jessica Hermann-Wilmarth. “Our campaign’s webpage tells a little about programs, like our peer support groups or homeless youth initiative, and makes it simple to make a contribution. We hope the spirit of the holiday season will inspire people to open their hearts and encourage their generosity.” 

“As individuals, and as a community, we must stay out front in the effort to achieve equity and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community” said Hunter. “This past year has seen hate against LGBTQ+ individuals increase and critical protections for the LGBTQ+ community have been rolled back. We have much to do in the year ahead, and our path forward must be created together.”

OutFront Kalamazoo is a non-profit, charitable organization whose mission is to create a just, inclusive, equitable, and supportive environment in Southwest Michigan for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions.

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