The Ruth Ellis Center (REC) is a social services agency in the Detroit area that serves the needs of runaway, homeless and at-risk lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) youth. REC is named in honor of the life and work of Ruth Ellis, who was an African-American lesbian from Detroit known for her service to people in need.
 Ruth Ellis Center logo | |
| Founded | 1999 |
|---|---|
| Focus | Runaway, homeless and at-risk LGBTQ youth |
| Location | |
Area served | Southeast Michigan |
| Services | Drop-in center, street outreach program, transitional living, and emergency housing shelter |
Key people | Mark Erwin, executive director[1][2] |
| Website | www |
Programs
editThe Ruth Ellis Center operates five main programs: Youth Programs (Health, Equity, and Outreach, formally Drop-In; and Center for Lesbian Queer Women & Girls or CLQ), Supportive Housing, Integrated Health Services, Community-Based Family Support Services, and the Ruth Ellis Institute.
History
editA group of community activists including John Allen, Kofi Adoma,[3] and Courtney Wilson - founded the Ruth Ellis Center in 1999,[4] the same year Ruth Ellis celebrated her 100th birthday. In September 2000, the then-101-year-old Ellis attended the grand opening of the center's first phase, a drop-in center for at-risk youth.[5]
Wanda Sykes has been an outspoken supporter of the organization after the staff sent her a letter asking her to visit during her 2010 tour's stop in Detroit.[6][7][4]
In January 2022, it opened the 44,000-square-foot (4,100 m2) Ruth Ellis Clairmount Center, a center for LGBT people aged 13 to 30, including housing and educational facilities. It cost approximately $15 million.[8][9]
See also
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References
edit- ^ Welch, Sherri (June 18, 2013). "Ruth Ellis Center names new executive director". Crain's Detroit Business. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- ^ Proxmire, Crystal (June 27, 2013). "Fresh From California: Ruth Ellis Welcomes New Executive Director". Between the Lines. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- ^ Michael, Jason A. (May 2, 2017). "Kofi Adoma: Creating history one organization at a time". Between the Lines. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
- ^ a b Broverman, Neal (October 4, 2012). "Detroit's Invaluable LGBT Youth Center Has a Friend in Wanda". The Advocate. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- ^ Michael, Jason (February 3, 2005). "Ruth Ellis: A century worth of history". Between the Lines. No. 1305. Archived from the original on December 10, 2014.
- ^ "Wanda Sykes visits Ruth Ellis Center". Between the Lines. July 8, 2010. Archived from the original on October 25, 2013. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
- ^ Mercer, Monica (August 28, 2012). "Q&A: Wanda Sykes, Ruth Ellis Center Fundraiser Host". Hour Detroit.
- ^ Rahman, Nushrat (2020-11-21). "Ruth Ellis Center breaks ground on housing development and health clinic for LGBTQ youth". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
- ^ "Ruth Ellis Clairmount Center". LBBA. Retrieved October 15, 2024.