This collection reflects the operational and planning activities for Affirmations Lesbian/Gay Community Center. It is divided into nine series: Background, Governance, Administration, Grants and Fundraising, Programming, Membership and Volunteers, Advocacy, Publicity, and Photographs. The majority of the collection has been arranged alphabetically by topic and chronologically within files.
Affirmations Lesbian/Gay Community Center was founded in 1989 based on the philosophy that "gay is good, you are not alone." Originally established as offshoot of the Michigan Organization for Human Rights (MOHR), Affirmations provided the greater Detroit area with Switchboard (renamed Helpline in October 1994), a volunteer-staffed telephone support line that has continued as one of the organization's hallmark programs. Since its inception, the non-profit has established community groups; open discussion groups; recreation and social activities; seminars, workshops and training programs; and a significant youth services program.
Jan Stevenson, the first President of the Board of Directors, steered Affirmations in its early stages before assuming the role of Executive Director in 1991. During her tenure, the organization flourished and expanded to approximately 1,700 members at its peak in 1995. Julie Enszer, formerly the Program Director, succeeded Stevenson as Executive Director in late 1995.
Between 1995 and 1997, the youth services program grew to approximately half of the organization's work. In the process, Affirmations developed from its initial role as a support-group to that of a community-builder. To reflect this shift, the organization adopted a new mission statement in 1997: "Affirmations Lesbian/Gay Community Center works to achieve respect and equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people through social service programs, advocacy, and education. Affirmations provides services to empower individuals and families, to build a cohesive community and to fulfil our responsibilities in society."
The late-1990s ushered in an era of financial difficulty as Affirmations operated at a loss from 1997 to 1999. This instability was worsened by high staff turnover, including the resignation of the entire staff by September 1999. With the departure of Executive Director Cindy Woodbury, the operation of Affirmations was left to the Board and volunteers until Leslie Ann Thompson assumed the role in October 1999.
Despite the turmoil of 1999, 2000 proved to be the organization's strongest year since 1995. Affirmations continued to develop new programs to service the community, and it responded to changing social attitudes toward the gay community by placing greater emphasis on its youth services and diversity programs.
