Meet the Board: Christopher McDonald

Where are you originally from and how long have you been in DC?
I was born and raised in North Alabama. I have lived in a few different cities of Alabama, but prior to DC I was in Huntsville. During the pandemic, and unable to travel, I decided I needed a change of pace. After a lot of research, I landed on DC and have been here 2 ½ years and loving it! Roll Tide!

Please summarize in a short paragraph or two your interests and how they
relate to serving on the Board. What impact do you see yourself having?
Having served on two other boards in the past, when I moved to DC, it was very important to me to find another non-profit that was a good fit for me, my background, and my skills, as well as one with a mission I believed in. My professional background is primarily financial, having served as treasurer for a non-profit, worked for a bank, two government contractors, and now a global consulting firm.

As we all know, non-profits are notoriously looking for better ways to budget, be creative, and to make their limited funds go as far as possible to help the most people. I hope to use my knowledge in helping The DC Center do just that.

What is your favorite spot in DC and what do you do there?
The Kennedy Center! I am a big patron of the arts and love going to the symphony, opera, and theatre performances.

While symphony and opera music aren’t everyone’s idea of “easy listening,” it is my sanctuary. To close our eyes and let the music take you somewhere is what makes me feel safe and worry-free.

Who do you admire in the LGBTQ+ community?
Sam Smith. Like them, I am also a millennial, and I have had the great pleasure of following their career from the beginning, as well as seeing them in concert. I find every album to be relatable and easy to get lost in. I admire Sam’s ability to be their self, regardless of what others may think of them, as well as the courage it takes to put your vulnerability into words for the world to hear.

What are you most excited about regarding the future of the DC Center?
The new location of the DC Center. I am very excited about the future of how the DC Center will grow and strengthen their partnerships, relationships, and influence in the LGBTQ+ community it serves.

DC Center’s Day of Thanks & Zoom Hangout

Image has text about the upcoming Day of Thanks event

To allow staff and board members time to reconnect and recharge, we will be offering takeout meals for Thanksgiving this year. The meals are provided in partnership with Wegmans, and we are currently planning to have them available for pickup on Wednesday, November 22nd.

We are going to be providing approximately 40 meals for folks who register, as well as exploring whether to schedule a Zoom hangout on Thanksgiving Day. If you’re interested in either, please fill out this google form, and if you have any questions, please drop us a line at supportdesk@thedccenter.org

Also please acknowledge we are on Nacotchtank, Piscataway and Pamunkey Nations land.

RSVP HERE

ALL MEALS ARE SPOKEN FOR – if you want to be on the waitlist, you can fill out the form above and we will be in touch on Monday, November 20th with more information.

 

Pride Parade and Festival

Do you like being fabulous?  Do you like being loud? Do you like being proud?  Do you like being yourself and celebrating with others? Do you just want to meet other LGBTQ people and make friends? Well, Pride 2023 is right around the corner! The DC Center is participating in both the Parade and the Festival and we would love for you to come support us.

Saturday, June 10th: Pride Parade – Show your Pride and come out to have a great time! The Parade will start at 14th Street and T Street at 3pm and end at P Street and 21st Street.

Sunday, June 11th: Pride Festival – Like meeting people in the LGBTQ+ community and learning more about LGBTQ+ resources? Stop by the DC Center’s booth at the Festival starting at 12pm.

*We are not looking for more volunteers at this time, but we hope to see you at Pride in the crowd!*

Temporary Closure

temporary closure info

The DC Center is temporarily closed due to a potential COVID-19 exposure in our offices. We are contacting those who were in the space during or after the possible exposure to allow them to make informed choices about seeking testing or other steps to help prevent spreading COVID-19.

Per our exposure plan, the DC Center will be closed until we can complete a deep cleaning of our space. Any in-person hybrid meetings will shift to virtual, and we’ll contact those who have RSVP’d for in-person meetings to update them.

If you have any concerns, please contact the DC Center at supportdesk@thedccenter.org.

DC Center Reopening FAQ

As we reopen, the DC Center is doing our best to meet the needs of our community while creating a safe environment for our staff, volunteers, and visitors. Please see below some of the information available about our space, our meetings, and other questions. We will update this information as necessary as the situation changes or we understand better what information people are looking for.

 

What are The DC Center’s hours of operation?

  • Mondays through Fridays from 12pm to 6pm
  • Saturdays from 11am to 3pm
  • Sundays are closed

After 5 pm on weekdays or on Saturdays, please enter from the side of the building (facing U Street) and state that you’re coming to the DC Center to the security team, who will let you in.

 

Are support groups/meetings meeting in-person, virtually or hybrid?

Based on surveys and conversations with peer group facilitators and participants, we are offering a hybrid (physical with webstation for Zoom), completely virtual, and in-person only, at each groups’ discretion. The information is available on the event sign-up for each group (easily found via: thedccenter.org/calendar)

 

Which groups/meetings, and when, are offering a hybrid (in-person with webstation) meeting option? (This list subject to change as groups choose to return to the DC Center’s offices)

2nd Fridays: WiTT from 8 – 9 pm

2nd Saturdays: GenderQueer from 1 – 3 pm (in-person only)

4th Wednesdays: Job Club from 6 – 7 pm.

4th Wednesdays: Ace/Aro Peer Support Group from 7 – 8:30 pm.

 

Which groups/meetings, and when, are offering a virtual (Zoom) only meeting option?

Any groups not listed above are meeting virtually.

 

Can I just walk-in to participate in a hybrid support group/meeting?

Currently, the Center is unable to accommodate walk-ups for peer support groups. Registration in advance will be required for peer support group meetings. Information in this regard will be circulated among peer support group leaders and participants as well as be listed on the Center’s website. This is to help make sure the room is not over-crowded.

 

Are therapy meetings still being offered at the Center?

At this time mental health therapy groups and sessions are available virtually (via HIPAA compliant Zoom) or in person. Therapy locations will be chosen based on conversations between clients and therapists, based on comfort/safety and availability.

 

When is the Center expected to open back up and what are some of the processes?

  • Monday through Friday 12 to 6pm; Saturday 11 to 3pm.
  • CyberStations are available via three computers.
  • Mental Health services are available either virtually or in-person based on client/therapist decisions.
  • New and expanding clothing closet and food pantry for those in need of clothes and food.
  • The Art Gallery is opening while the office is open.

Now that the Center is reopening again, what kind of opportunities are available for those in the community who would like to get involved?

  • The best way to stay current with the Center’s activities is to subscribe to our newsletter via our website which comes out every week. This includes volunteer opportunities, information about art installation, monthly programs, and all different social media accounts to get news updates.
  • Volunteers wanting to become a support group facilitator are provided with the necessary training.
  • Joining a support group is the best way to stay connected to the Center and others in the community.
  • There is an events volunteer list to help in events like help preparing to open before events.
  • Members of the community can also join a board committee to help and learn how the Center works.

 

What will be the mitigation efforts to reopen the Center back safely?

  • The DC Center asks that if you are feeling ill, please wear a mask in our space.

Are masks required at the Center?

  • The DC Center asks that if you are feeling ill, please wear a mask in our space.

 

What kind of sanitation procedures will be implemented to prevent the spread of the COVID-19?

  • A sanitation station that includes wipes/sanitizer and masks are available to community members.
  • Air purification system will be provided for various spaces within the Center.

 

If rates of COVID continue to rise in DC will the Center remain open?

  • Federal and local guidelines will be closely monitored and adhered to, up to and including closing the Center due to an increase in COVID cases in the DC area to ensure the safety of our employees and constituents.

DC Center reopens to the Public

Relaying information about the DC Center's reopening

The DC Center Reopens to the public Monday, October 4th!

 

The DC Center is excited to announce that we are reopening to the public effective Monday, October 4th. After providing services virtually nonstop since March 2020, we are overjoyed to welcome the community back into our space. We are going to be modifying how we provide services, please check out some of the information below to know how we’re keeping the community safe, as well as how we are asking the community to help protect the staff and others at The DC Center.

 

Hours of Operation

The DC Center will resume our normal office hours of 12 pm – 6 pm Monday through Friday, and Saturdays from 11 am – 3 pm. We are still located at the Reeves Center, 2000 14th Street NW, Suite 105.

Expectations

As grantees of the DC government, The DC Center staff fall under Mayor Bowser’s vaccine mandate, so all staff are required to be vaccinated or undergo weekly COVID testing. While we are not mandating vaccinations from our participants, we are asking people to wear masks that cover mouths and noses securely (disposable masks are available at the entrance to the DC Center), and self-screen for common COVID-19 symptoms (fever/shakes, recent loss of sense of smell, congestion, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, etc) and ask for assistance outside the DC Center’s offices if they aren’t feeling well.

FAQ

Services available

The DC Center will be making some changes to the way we operate, especially in how we have our peer support groups. Please click here for Hybrid Peer Support Group information. Otherwise services are listed below with a quick summary of changes in how we operate

Cyber Center: Reduced capacity, 3 people at once. If someone is waiting to use the services, we will discuss what makes sense with everyone trying to use the Cyber Center.

Mental Health Services: Mental Health Services will be remote for the time being. If you are interested in receiving services, you can email supportdesk@thedccenter.org to get started.

Lounge: Our lounge has been rearranged to help promote social distancing, as has our Meeting Room Space.

Clothing Closet: Our Clothing Closet has been relocated and better organized to help people more easily access it.

Food Pantry: Our Food Pantry is being restocked, as much of the donated food had expired during the pandemic.

Referrals/Service Linkages: These are happening in person or can be accessed by calling our Main desk at (202) 682-2245, or via email at Supportdesk@thedccenter.org

 

 

Center Faith Interfaith Intersectional Forums in 2021

Center Faith Interfaith Intersectional Forums. First and third Tuesdays of the month, 7pm. Livestreamed by The DC Center.

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Center Faith, the multitude of denominations that make up Center Faith are coming together to remember, reflect, share their stories, and celebrate the commonalities that bring them together.

 

On July 6th, Center Faith began their intersectional forums by answering the question “Why is it important to record our history?”

The video is available via FB videos

 

On July 27th, Center Faith began inviting different members of the faith community to reflect on the AIDS Quilt, where they were in their faith journey, and trace the changes from then to today by answering the questions “What was your community experience with the Names Quilt?” and “How did you faith and faith community support you during this time?”

The video is available via FB Videos

 

On 8/17, Center Faith discussed how the Names Project Quilt Initiated Interfaith Cooperation.

The video is available via FB videos

DC Center – Closed Effective 3/16/20

Image of the Coronavirus and the works COVID-19

Taking guidance and recommendations about social distancing from the DC government and the CDC, effective Monday, March 16th, The DC Center for the LGBT Community’s office will be closed. Staff are still working remotely, and will be checking emails and voicemails multiple times each day. Please reach out to supportdesk@thedccenter.org to connect with the DC Center, as we are still able to provide services and support.

If you are interested in attending support groups remotely, please reach out to your facilitator or supportdesk@thedccenter.org and we can provide options for remote meetings using conference lines.

The situation is changing rapidly, please refer to the CDC’s website and coronavirus.dc.gov for up-to-date information on what you can do to help prevent and slow the spread of the coronavirus. 

The DC Center team will be meeting regularly to assess the situation and rest assured that we will open as soon as it is safe to do so, as we know that many of our clients and participants are vulnerable and will need support. If you are able, please consider donating and supporting organizations that provide food, medicine, and other support to marginalized populations. 

 

If you are facing a life threatening situation or seeking immediate care:

DC Mobile Crisis: 202-673-9300
DC Shelter Hotline: 202.399.7093 or 311
Maryland Mobile Crisis: 240-777-4000
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
LGBTQ under 25: Trevor Lifeline: 866-488-7386
LGBTQ National Help Center (all ages – various lines/hours): 888-843-4564 www.glbthotline.org