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 | | Horizons Community Services | | | Inducted 1992 | | | | Established in 1973 as Gay Horizons, the organization continues to serve as the Midwest’s largest and most comprehensive social service agency meeting the needs of Chicago’s diverse gay and lesbian community. The organization is growing into a true community center now called Center on Halsted.
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| Nearly 2 0 years ago a handful of concerned lesbians and gay men in Chicago organized a telephone hotline to provide information and support for those in need. This volunteer effort marked the beginning of Horizons, the only gay and lesbian social service agency in the midwest to receive full membership in the United Way of Chicago.
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| During the past 2 decades, Horizons' mission of outreach to the gay and lesbian community has led to the creation of several programs, all of which continue to grow. These programs include Youth Services, Speakers Service, Legal Services, Group Services, Psychotherapy Services and a series of Identity Conferences. | |
| In 1985, with the support of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, the Horizons Anti-Violence Project was established. It was the first gay and lesbian anti-violence project in the country to be funded by the Federal government. In 1991, over 340 survivors of hate crimes, domestic violence, and anti-lesbian and gay violence were served.
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| In 1987 the State of Illinois accepted Horizons' proposal for the State-wide AIDS Hotline (1-800-AIDS-AIDS) which has received more than 50,000 calls each year from all segments of the community. This is the primary source of information regarding HIV disease and AIDS available throughout the State of Illinois. | |
| These programs provide low-or no-cost support services for lesbians and gay men throughout the metropolitan area of Chicago. Together, Horizons' clients create a mosaic of ethnic, gender and socioeconomic diversity. They come seeking assistance and counsel on issues ranging from sexual identification to learning about intimacy and relationships. | |
| Horizons' programs have changed over the last 2 decades, but the ceaseless energy and tireless commitment of its volunteers has not. It is this group of over 350 people, along with the dedicated staff and board of directors, that develops and operates the programs, estimated to have served over 220,00 callers and clients.
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| Horizons Community Services is committed to providing the gay and lesbian community of Chicago with social services that support the development of healthy and integrated lives, and through education and outreach, confront homophobia and its effects.
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| This biography is as of the induction date. It has not been updated. |
| Additional information is available for items referenced in the biography of Horizons Community Services at the following sites: |
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