Harriet Hancock LGBT Center

Mission Statement

The mission of the Harriet Hancock LGBT Center is to provide education, social support and resources related to current and evolving concerns of the LGBTQAI+ community in South Carolina. 

What will we do with the money raised?

The Harriet Hancock Center was founded in 1993, as a community and resource center in Columbia. We've called 1108 Woodrow Street our home since 1994. Since our founding, we've been led and run by volunteers, however, we acknowledge that this isn't enough to serve our community with the dignity they deserve. We currently have a part-time operations and development manager overseeing a volunteer staff of over 30 volunteers. They also work with our board of directors to implement HHC's mission and develop programming to support our community at large. Money raised through Midlands Gives will be utilized to not only further our current programming, but develop new programming that is inclusive, compassionate and considerate of our diverse community. These funds will also allow us to expand the staffing efforts needed to do this life-changing and life-saving work. We're excited to have the opportunity to truly get back to our roots and be the community space that the larger LGBTQ+ Columbia community deserves.

More About Us 

The Harriet Hancock Center was the first LGBTQ+ resource and community center in South Carolina founded in 1993 by the Gay and Lesbian Pride March. We've evolved so much since our founding, but our mission has never wavered from being a space that offers support, education and opportunities to build confidence and resilience. Our on-site programming is often peer-led and creates a place for folx to be authentically themselves. We also work with community partners to show up and advocate for the rights of not only the LGBTQ+ community, but our allies. Our oldest event is our 1st Sunday Potluck, hosted every month, that draws in people from around the midlands and beyond as a chance to break bread, share news and stories and learn what's going on in the wider community. This event reminds us of the first picnic at Dreher Island that started GLPM. Additionally, we aim to host diverse peer-led support groups, social groups and educational opportunities to serve an ever growing community.