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Mission Statement:
Alternative Resources of the Triad (ART) is a 501(c)(3) charitable
organization whose mission is to be actively involved with the Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (GLBTQ) community of
the Triad (Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem, NC and surrounding
communities). ART works to support the emotional, social, and mental
health needs of the GLBTQ community by (1) serving as an information
portal and referral source and (2) by maintaining an ongoing,
visible, and positive educational and supportive presence in the community.
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Alternative Resources of the Triad was established in 1988 by
Katheryn Smith, former Executive Director of Triad Health
Project. Receiving help from numerous friends and acquaintances,
Katheryn also relied heavily on John Quillan of the Charlotte Gay and
Lesbian Switchboard and Greensboro attorney Ron Johnson for guidance
in obtaining nonprofit status for the organization.
An anonymous donation of $1,000.00 provided the seed that
culminated in ART's first event, the Lesbian Health Fair. Shortly thereafter, the Gay & Lesbian Hotline of the
Triad was established. The hotline quickly became the primary activity of
the organization during the late 1980s. Funding for GLBTQ support organizations was sparse in those days. As a result, the hotline was hosted in the spare room of a volunteer's apartment. Donated phone equipment lead to the training of seven
pioneers in Greensboro. The official opening of the hotline received coverage in several local media outlets, including Greensboro News & Record.
The explosive growth of the World Wide Web provided the impetus to discontinue the hotline in November of 2003, as most of the call volume centered on requests for information. It was deemed that these queries could be better served by a 24/7 web presence.
The OutGreensboro.com continues to serve as a vital information link for the GLBTQ community.
In 2005 ART sponsored QCYNT (Queer College Youth Network of
the Triad), the inaugural meeting held at the Board Room of the
Biltmore Greensboro Hotel in May of that year. Representatives from UNCG,
Guilford College, Wake Forest University and Elon University participated in the event. QYCNT's mission is to connect
college and university LGBTQA associations in the area to provide an efficient information exchanges. To this end, QCYNT hosts a bi monthly meeting that is open
to all college and university students, alumni and faculty members.
On the entertainment front, Alternative Resources of the Triad initiated the Greensboro, Out at the Movies! series, which debuted to a theater packed with members of GLBTQA community. The success of the first film came as a surprise to all involved.
ART, in conjunction with Warehouse 29, currently sponsors a different GLBTQ movie every other month.
ARTs most recent achievement is the first annual Triad Pride festival which was held in Greensboro in August of 2007. Plans are already underway for the 2008 event. Details will be posted to OutGreensboro.com as they become available.
Volunteers are needed to make Triad Pride 2008 a success! Areas in which you can help include: fundraising, promotion, event setup, vendor coordination, event planning. Please contact us if you would like to help.
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Non Discrimination Policy
Alternative Resources of the Triad does not
discriminate against any person with regards to Race, Sex, Age,
Religion, Gender Expression, Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation,
National Origin or Physical Handicap.
Have Any Community Updates Or Events To Share?
Please send any information that you would like to share with the GLBTQ community to ART.
Alternative Resources of the Triad is an authorized
501(c)(3) charitable organization.
All
donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
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