As construction continues on 3656 N. Halsted throughout the winter months, Center on Halsted ( COH ) deputy executive director Modesto 'Tico' Valle told Windy City Times the organization is 'very close' to its capital campaign fundraising goal of $20 million.
The total raised for the Kresge Foundation Challenge will be announced later this month, but Valle says that COH is definitely nearing its goal. The center needed to have raised $20 million in pledges by the end of 2006 to meet the challenge grant of $800,000.
'We have been overwhelmed with the community's response,' Valle e-mailed to Windy City Times. Nearly 2,000 donors have given to help with the new COH facility currently under construction in the heart of Boystown.
The massive three-story building—the first of its kind in the Midwest and one of the largest LGBT facilities in the nation—will open for programming in April. The grand opening will take place in June.
The new facility will house multiple offices and meeting rooms as well as a Whole Foods store, a theater, a recreation hall and more.
The new and improved home to COH will allow the organization to house multiple local LGBT organizations all under one roof; in addition, COH will expand its services, such as senior and youth programming.
According to Valle, gifts of all sizes continue to be made daily. COH encourages the community to keep giving in order to help the organization reach its goal.
For more info, see www.centeronhalsted.org .