The Center expands programs and adds staff

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From left to right: Nickollii Warner,Ashante’ Herring,Christopher Delaney, Danielle Galaudet and Jeffrey Alvarez .

The Center began 2020 with expanded programs and services in its outreach through HIV services, trans and gender diversity initiatives and direct services for LGBTQ youth, who are homeless or on the verge of homelessness. The organization’s growth includes the addition of new team members working hard to better serve the LGBTQ+ community in Southern Nevada. Recent additions to the Center team include:

Jeffrey Alvarez (he, him, his), HIV peer advocate

Alvarez is from the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. In 2015, he became involved with the POZ Life weekend seminars, hosted by the HIV organization, Life Group LA, after learning about his own HIV status. After moving to Las Vegas, Alvarez began attending meetings at The LGBTQ+ Center and became more involved with the organization, eventually joining the staff. His ultimate goal is to open his own community center because he knows the importance they make in the lives of those struggling with addictions and HIV/AIDS.

Christopher Delaney (he, him, his), outreach coordinator

Delaney is a Las Vegas-born native. He previously worked as the community outreach coordinator for CARE Coalition, a nonprofit focused on substance abuse prevention. It is through that organization that he discovered his passion for giving back to the community. Delaney previously served as an associate board member for The LGBTQ+ Center. He said he loves spending time with friends, family and his fur babies: Mr. Big (yorkie) & Molly (dachshund mix).

Charlz Laccay (he, him, his), HIV outreach coordinator

Laccay was born in the Philippines and grew up in Modesto, California. He has a bachelor’s degree in biology from UCLA and went back to the Philippines for medical school at Far Eastern University, obtaining his medical degree in 2007. While applying for his residency, Laccay worked as a continuing medical education coordinator and peer reviewer. Volunteering at The LGBTQ+ Center became a stepping stone in his involvement in HIV prevention, education and the plight for improving the medical care of those living with HIV/AIDS. His breadth of experience is a great addition to The LGBTQ+ Center’s key role in serving the LGBTQ+ population of Las Vegas.

Ashante’ Herring (she, her, hers), youth resource specialist

Herring is from El Paso, Texas, and moved to Las Vegas to teach through Teach for America (TFA). It was during a TFA meeting held at The LGBTQ+ Center that Herring first experienced everything the organization had to offer. Shortly after, she began volunteering at The LGBTQ+ Center and was a part of the inaugural class for the Crisis Advocacy Network (CAN) program. With her background in education, Herring looks forward to continuing to grow the youth programming and provide a space for LGBTQ+ youth throughout Las Vegas Valley.

Nickollii Warner (he, him, his), transgender and gender diversity programs assistant

Born and raised here in Las Vegas, Warner did not begin utilizing or volunteering at The LGBTQ+ Center until last summer. Being a member of the transgender community himself, Warner naturally started serving such programs to encourage growth through the adversity he knows most people like him face. Warner graduated and became a certified advocate through the Center Advocacy Network (CAN) program to guide him further in his passion to advocate for those in need and educate the general public.

Danielle Galaudet (she, her, hers), facilities and security specialist

Galaudet is a Las Vegas native. She has worked part time at The Center for a couple years but is excited to have become full time in 2020 and is expanding her skills and involvement in serving the LGBTQ+ community. She said she loves working at The LGBTQ+ Center because her ultimate goal in life is to help as many people as possible. She completed the Crisis Advocacy Network training, becoming one of the trained advocates at The LGBTQ+ Center and is committed to providing resources and advocacy to those in need. During her free time, Galaudet enjoys being around her two children.