Affinity Community Services celebrated its move into a new space with an Oct. 11 open house and a redetermination to serve the LGBTQ community. The new space, located at 2850 S. Wabash, served as the location of the gathering of board members, Affinity participants and supporters.
The mission statement for the organization states that, "Affinity Community Services is a social justice organization that works with and on behalf of Black LGBTQ communities, queer youth, and allies and seeks to identify emergent needs, create safe spaces, develop leaders, and bridge communities."
The group, which started more than 20 years ago, was borne out of a desire for out Black lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals to bring visibility to their presence on the South Side of Chicago.
Throughout its history, Affinity has supported the community with a number of peer-led groups. Among them is Proud Parents (which focuses on LGBTQ parenting), Chi-T (for transgender/gender non-conforming individuals), and age specific groups like Forty Plus (for individuals in their 40s) and The Trailblazers (for individuals who are over the age of 60).
Executive Director Imani Rupert-Gordon spoke on the plans and programs that are in the works. These plans include a short-term GED tutoring program, a community outreach and intervention leadership program, an HIV/AIDS education outreach group, and work with marginalized people of color in the areas of closing the wage gap.
The festivities got a joyful jolt when board member Mel Rainey spoke about the ongoing need for funding and started a new fundraising campaign on the spot. Also in attendance for the gathering were The Pride Cruisers, a behind-the-scenes group of longtime supporters who voluntarily work in the community.
See www.affinity95.org/ .
MAIN GROUP PHOTO: Affinity board, staff and leadership council members: Back from Left: Toi Williams, Arafa Payne, Lisa Scott, Margaret Thurmond, Ann Rochelle, Maria Glover-Wallace, Jas Thurmond. Front from left: Tammy Thurmond, Glenda Poindexter, Ebonie Davis, Imani Rupert-Gordon, Kebra Ross. Photo by Tracy Baim
