As we struggle to overcome the fiscal challenges ahead, we want to urge you to be a part of a critically important effort to preserve and strengthen The Center’s services and programs.

For more than three and a half decades, Our Center has been sustained and made better by a community of diverse individuals stepping up to say, “What can I do?” or “I will help with that.” We’ve done it before, and I know we can do it again. Many of us won’t be able to give what we gave last year, or at other times in the past. But even if we are forced by circumstances to give less, by giving together we can get through these tough times.

As a community that has clearly benefited from The Center we have built together, we have a shared responsibility to carry forward this promise; to help guarantee that it remains a beacon of hope and caring for those who come after us.

We are asking you to make any donation you can right now and, if you are able, we’re also asking for your leadership.

Right now, we are focusing our fund-raising efforts on our “Keeping the Promise” campaign to protect our important community programs. Our path forward depends on each and every one of us leading the way and contributing what we can, and asking others for their help as well. To be successful, the “Keeping the Promise” campaign is seeking community leaders who will become one of the:

• 100 leaders who will raise $2,500 or more over the next four months.

• 100 leaders who will raise $1,000 or more over the next four months.

• 200 leaders who will raise $500 or more over the next four months.

• 200 leaders who will raise $250 or more over the next four months.

This doesn’t mean you have to give this amount yourself – we know it’s tough out there for far too many of us.

It means that 600 San Diegans who support and believe in the work of Our Center will come together in a tremendous display of leadership and commitment to work together to raise their pledged amount. It can be a single gift, or it can be funds raised over the course of the next few months – through garage sales, house parties, your Facebook page or just asking your friends. If you commit to raising $1,000 it may be as simple as asking 40 friends and family members for $25 each. Not many of us can write $2,500 checks today, but many of us can write a $25 check.

Over the course of the last 35 years, Our Center has been made better by all those who have said, “I will.” Every person who has given to The Center has helped ensure that we could serve our community in affirming and life changing ways. Your contributions have created a safe haven for GLBT San Diegans and helped:

• Men and women struggling to come out

• People facing an HIV/AIDS or cancer diagnosis

• Seniors trying to overcome isolation

• Service members dealing with unjust discharge notices

• Young people dealing with challenging school environments

• Parents fearing they would lose custody of their children

• Victims of hate crimes

• Young people dealing with homelessness – and so much more

We have always stood together through every challenge, and now we must pull together again.

Whether you join the “Keeping the Promise” campaign outlined by the Board of Directors, become a monthly donor through our “I Belong” program or make a generous gift today – every donation truly matters. The work of Our Center is only possible because of the generosity of our San Diego community. With your support, we will continue to keep our promise to take care of each other in the years ahead, no matter what challenges we face.