Nyack is about to get a whole lot more colorful.
The Rockland County Pride Center celebrated the opening of a Nyack location this weekend. The 7500 sq. ft. property, located at 28 S. Franklin Street, was formerly the site of the Nyack Elks Lodge.
The Rockland County Pride Center is a non-profit that serves the local LGBT community. The Nyack location will provide a youth drop-in center, a family room for LGBT couples and children to mingle, educational programs, support groups, and counseling, among other services. (A list of social events, educational programs, and fundraisers is available here.)
“The Pride Center will be a safe place for all youth, adults, seniors, and families to gather, find support, make new friends, access resources, and feel at home,” said Brooke Malloy, the Pride Center’s Executive Director.
Opening a location in Nyack was an important step in the Pride Center’s mission to serve the entire county. “This moment is a turn pointing in Rockland history and will help ensure that future generations of LGBT people and our friends will have the support, education and resources we need to thrive in our county,” said Joseph Coe, a LGBT activist and Vice President of the Pride Center’s Board.
Village officials and community members shared the Pride Center’s excitement. “We are so grateful you chose us for your home,” said Mayor Jen Laird White. “And we know that having you here will make us a stronger, healthier and more beautiful place than we already are.”
The next step for the Pride Center will be renovating the building. They are seeking help from volunteers in the community, and are hoping to open later this year. But in the meantime, the Pride Center’s support groups will meet at their sister organization, the Nyack Center.
“The establishment of the Rockland County Pride Center is an incredible moment in social justice history and would not be possible without the support of visionary Board leadership, over 175+ generous donors, and the huge hearts of our extended family at Better Homes and Gardens Rand Commercial Realty,” Malloy said in a statement. “There is no doubt Rocklanders have made it clear — equality and justice for all – with no exceptions.”
