Newark LGBTQ Community Center

The Mission of the Newark LGBTQ Community Center is to create and sustain a safe space with programs, events and services that foster a better quality of life for the LGBTQ Community of Greater Newark. We are located in the largest city in New Jersey; a city where 53% of the population identifies as African American, and 33% Latino. It is well known that the African-American LGBTQ community is one of the most vulnerable in our society, suffering from the highest rates of poverty, lacking culturally sensitive health and mental health care, and facing constant homophobia, transphobia, and violence.  

The Center is currently housed in a storefront space in the heart of Downtown Newark. Our Executive Director, Rev. Janyce L. Jackson, is a prominent and respected leader and activist in the community, and is the former Chair of the Newark LGBTQ Advisory Commission. She has generously served as pro-bono Executive Director for two years.  We are also entirely staffed by our volunteer/intern team who hail from the community and local colleges and universities 

Some of our Available Programs and Services:

• Adult arts, cultural events and support groups
• Internet Café and Library
• Food distribution for people living with HIV/AIDS in partnership with God’s Love We Deliver
• A Drop-In-Center
• Events co-sponsored with other community organizations
• Youth Leadership & support groups
• 50+ Event Series of fun activities and informational sessions providing social support and health and wellness opportunities for our elders.
• Crochet Circle
• Yoga Classes
• Creative Writing

What We Do:

Provide specific programs and services for community members based on needs assessments and ongoing evaluations

Advocate for our high-risk populations, such as youth and seniors

Collaborate with other community organizations that have the capacity to bridge the gaps in services at the Center

Engage our community in educational, social, political, economic, cultural and justice issues on a regular basis. The Center is an active member of the Newark Communities for Accountable Policing Steering Committee, and a member of the Essex County Coalition