Enhancing Services to LGBTQ Seniors: CENTER OF WESTERN

Enhancing Services to LGBTQ Seniors:
A partnership between Erie County Department of Senior Services and Pride Center of WNY
Matthew Crehan Higgins- Senior Director, The Pride Center of WNY
Adina Garfinkel- Case Manager, Erie County Senior Services
Dan Szewc- Community Planning Coord., Erie County Senior Services
PRESENTED BY
CENTER OF WESTERN NEW YORK
Erie County Department of Senior Services
About Pride Center
Established in 2003, The Pride Center is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization and an
affiliate of the Evergreen Association.
OUR MISSION
The Mission of Pride Center of Western New York, Inc. is to work with the community to
make western New York a safe, healthy, and satisfying place for lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, and queer people to live, work, and establish their families.
LOCATION & HOURS OF OPERATION
The Pride Center is located at 200 S Elmwood Avenue Buffalo, NY
Regular Business Hours are:
Monday, Wednesday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesdays and Third Thursdays 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
SERVICE AREA
The Pride Center serves Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara,
Orleans, and Wyoming Counties.
Edith Windsor
Born in 1930
In 1954 the McCarthy Trials target
“sexual perverts” for harassment and
termination from government jobs.
Edith is 24
In 1969 the Stonewall Riots begin
the gay rights movement.
Edith is 39
In 1973 the American Psychiatric
Association removes homosexuality
from its list of mental disorders.
Edith is 43
Slide provided courtesy of Tim Johnston, PhD. SAGE. Services and
Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Elders
Edith Windsor
In 1997 Ellen DeGeneres comes out
publicly as a lesbian.
Edith is 67
In 2007 Edith marries Thea Spyer,
her partner of 43 years, in Ontario
Canada.
Edith is 77
In 2013 United States v. Windsor
repeals section three of the Defense
of Marriage Act.
Edith is 83
Slide provided courtesy of Tim Johnston, PhD. SAGE. Services and
Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Elders
Understanding LGBTQ Identities
Understanding LGBTQ Identities

Training needs 13-PI-07
Understanding LGBTQ Identities

Case Management Staff had considerable
concern about asking the new required questions

Ethical

Legal

Comfort Level

Why?
Understanding LGBTQ Identities

Erie County Senior Services connected with the
Pride Center for training

Sensitivity training

Need to collect information

Appreciation

Understanding, welcoming agency

Develop a partnership to reach the LGBTQ
community with trust
A Case Study

Building Trust

Shawn –age, early 20’s
Silver Pride Project

The Silver Pride Project was started in 2014 as an
informal group to address social isolation with
goals to

Provide friendly, supportive, and affirming events
and activities for LGBTQ seniors

Help LGBTQ seniors gain access to resources

Help LGBTQ seniors to live openly and
independently in their own home

Work for increased awareness of the unique needs
of LGBTQ people by non-LGBTQ businesses, health,
and human service providers.
Silver Pride Project
Planning and Activities

The Silver Pride Project meets the first Tuesday of
each month at the Pride Center.

Members discuss current events of concern to
LGBTQ elders, their experiences past and present,
and discuss activities that the group is interested
in persuing.
Silver Pride Project
Planning and Activities

The Silver Pride Project meets
the first Tuesday of each
month at the Pride Center.

Members discuss current
events of concern to LGBTQ
elders, their experiences past
and present, and discuss
activities that the group is
interested in pursuing.

Activities have included
garden party and theater
outings. Silver Pride Project
will host Paint Nite in July.
Silver Pride Project Coffee
Hour

LGBTQ Coffee Hour takes place
the second Saturday of each
month, attracting approximately
20 people per month.

The focus is on socialization:
“There’s no agenda. Sometimes
we may have a guest or pick a
topic to discuss. Most of the
time, we just enjoy friendly
conversation in a relaxed and
welcoming environment.”

The Center provides a baked
good item for the group to pass
and members buy their own
drink of choice.
Silver Pride Project Coffee
Hour

Opportunity for education,
informal discussions, benefits

Information and Assistance
Partnership With Erie County
Department of Senior Services

In December 2015, Erie County Department of
Senior Services placed one of their case
managers on site at the Pride Center twice a
week.

This novel partnership was covered by the
Associated Press and appeared in news outlets
nationwide.
Partnership With Erie County
Department of Senior Services

Working with clients unlikely to step foot into our
door

Reaching those who would not have thought to
ask for help

John
Partnership With Erie County
Department of Senior Services

Case Manager Roles

Case Management/IA for Older Adults

Caregiver expertise

NYConnects – options counseling

Professional interest
A Case Study

NYConnects, Caregiving and Case Management

Gay caregiver in his twenties

Trust
Questions
Contact Information



Matthew Crehan Higgins

716/852-7743 x3411

MCrehanHiggins@pridecenterwny.org
Adina Garfinkel

716/858-7759

Adina.Garfinkel@erie.gov
Dan Szewc

716/858-6070

Daniel.Szewc@erie.gov