“Building Dreams” is the theme of the Live and Let Live Alano Club’s second annual gala, taking place Saturday, Jan. 29, at The Center. Performer, trainer and motivational speaker Bonnie Henderson will perform a piece from her critically acclaimed one-woman play, Come A Little Closer, which she also wrote.

The 70-minute program will honor individuals who have been instrumental in the club’s progress over the years, including Jack W., Jim P., John C., Nolan, John A., Jim O., Nicole Murray-Ramirez and a surprise honoree.

“In AA, we go by the first name and initial of the last name, because of anonymity,” explained Kevin J. McQuillen, co-chair of LLLAC’s board of directors along with Michelle Mazzarese.

Founded 21 years ago, the Alano Club (LLLAC) is a safe haven for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and GLBT-friendly individuals in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction.

“Alano Clubs are formed by sober members of Alcoholics Anonymous in order to take a lease on space, or buy a building, or provide facilities in which AA meetings are held – AA or any 12-step meeting in our case,” McQuillen said.

With alcohol and substance use already prevalent within the GLBT community, often due to pressures associated with social stigma and rejection by family, jobs and institutions, and with crystal methamphetamine rates reaching pandemic levels across the country, safe havens for those looking to get clean and sober are essential.

“It’s a gay-friendly environment. We have quite a few straight people that come there,” McQuillen said of the club. “Years ago, it was very difficult to find a place to hold a gay meeting. That’s why they formed the club. We were asked to leave certain places – and of course a lot of that’s changed over the years. The original people formed the club so they would have a lease and couldn’t get thrown out.”

LLLAC has been at its current location on Monroe Avenue for approximately 10 years.

The gala’s “Building Dreams” theme reflects the club’s long-term goals of maintaining their mission, and stabilizing finances and services by building a new facility, as well as referring to improved quality of life through recovery, event co-chairs McQuillen and Carla Coshow, former owner of The Flame, said in a statement.

The club has struggled to keep its doors open due to business expenses and San Diego’s rising rent costs. The club’s building fund is supported by $115,000 worth of grants, bequests and donations – well short of its $1.5 million goal to build a new facility.

“Last year we held one of these events – it was our first event ever – to raise awareness in the community, and we are working on developing some corporate sponsors on an ongoing basis, and also we’re pursuing the city block-grant process… eventually we’ll be looking for foundation assistance and private donations, but that’s probably over the next five-year period,” McQuillen said.

Last year’s event raised $19,000.

California Cuisine will provide dinner and Soul Notes will provide musical entertainment. A VIP reception prior to the gala takes place at 6:00 p.m. and the gala begins at 7:00 p.m. Call Kevin McQuillen at (619) 497-1702 or Carla Coshow at (619) 246-6807 for additional information.