Persad Center opens offices in Erie

from Persad Center

Persad Center, the nation's second oldest licensed counseling and well being center serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities has opened offices in Erie, Pa.

Persad Center is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA and has served Western Pennsylvania's gay citizens for nearly 40 years. It is the only agency of its kind in western Pennsylvania. The agency's mission is to strengthen the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and the HIV/AIDS communities and their allies. This is done through counseling, prevention, education, and advocacy programs. The agency also has offices in Washington, PA and an advocacy program serving Washington, Westmoreland, Beaver, Butler and Armstrong counties.

The Erie office is licensed by the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of Pennsylvania's Department of Public Welfare, and is being opened in response to a demand for and lack of specialized services for LGBT people in the area. The new office will bring access closer to home for LGBT individuals seeking counseling, and will provide the county with a resource for improving the human service system response to LGBT needs.

"We are delighted to be taking Persad services to Erie", says Betty Hill, Persad's Executive Director.

The offices will be housed inside the Community United Church building on 38th Street though the services are not affiliated with the church. Consumers will be able to receive individual, couples, group, and family counseling.

To schedule an appointment for services in Erie, call 814-388-0195.

For information on Persad's new office and other Persad services, contact Betty Hill at 412-441-9786 ext. 212 or bhill@persadcenter.org