Horizons Community Services has hired Perry Wiggins as the agency's first full-time Mature Adult Program Coordinator. Previously classified as a part-time position, the Coordinator position was upgraded to a full-time position in response to growth and expansion of the agency's programs and services. Critical support for this expansion has come from The Retirement Research Foundation.
Established in 1997, Horizons' Mature Adult Program serves LGBT people who are 45 years of age and older through workshops, seminars, drop-in times, support groups, and social events.
Wiggins brings to Horizons experience in working with diverse communities and community-based organizations, including AIDS Project Los Angeles, Los Angeles Free Clinic, and United Way of Greater Los Angeles.
"I'm thrilled to be part of Horizons' staff and to be in charge of this innovative and much-needed program," said Wiggins. "As more and more persons who have been relatively out and open begin to move into the category of mature- or senior-adults, the need for services that are sensitive and responsive to the particular needs of the older LGBTQ community will continue to increase. We are in a unique position to bring together the resources of Horizons Community Services, the LGBTQ community of the greater Chicago area, and the existing network of service providers to create one of the broadest and most comprehensive programs for older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals to be found anywhere."
Call ( 773 ) 472-6469, x. 245, or ( 773 ) 929-4357; or e-mail perryw@horizonsonline.org .