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Center Support

Providing direct and peer support services since we opened our doors

Center Support includes:

Resources and Referrals
Click here for LGBT Community Resources
Rainbow Drop-in Café
Peer Support Groups
Center Counseling Services
Recovery Groups hosted at the Center
Confidential HIV Testing, provided by the AIDS Council of NENY

Resources and Referrals

Since the CDGLCC opened our doors, we have served as a hub for the LGBT community to get connected to programs and services. We maintain "LGBT Community Resources", a comprehensive database of community organizations providing critical services to the LGBT community as well as an up-to-date "Business Directory" of LGBT-friendly businesses. Hundreds of people call each month for these vital resources, whether its legal, health-related or they just moved to the area, the CDGLCC has the information the LGBT community needs. If you need information or have a question, call (518) 462-6138. If you would like to be listed in our "Business Directory", please fill out the form and send to Aaron Holbritter at aholbritter@cdglcc.org.

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The Rainbow Drop-in Café

Open 6-9 Sun- Friday (Closed Saturday), the Rainbow Café was the first program of the CDGLCC when we opened our doors in 1970. Staffed by an amazing team of volunteers, the Café is a great resource if you are looking for information, to get connected to the CDGLCC's programs and services, or if you just moved to the area. Often, the Café hosts movie and game nights, or community groups meetings and receptions. Armed with comprehensive resources for referrals, the Café is a great place to stop to get connected to programs and services.
Volunteer for the Café!
What's happening at the Café?

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Peer Support Groups

The CDGLCC coordinates groups for discussion and support on a variety of topics. Facilitated by volunteers, these groups provide peer-based support for members of our community dealing with a multitude of issues. Current groups include:

Capital Region Support Group for Family and Friends of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People:
SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH, 7:30 pm, 1221 Wendell Ave Schenectady, NY
A support group for family and friends of LGBT people for information on coming to terms with their family member.

For more information, contact the CDGLCC at (518) 462-6138 or Julia Helfman at (518)472-9911.

Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Men's Support Group:
MONDAYS 7pm, The Center (332 Hudson Ave, Albany)
A support group for GBT men to talk about coming out, sex, religion, dating and other issues. For more information, contact the CDGLCC at (518) 462-6138.

Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Women's Support Group:
TUESDAYS 7pm, the Center (332 Hudson Ave, Albany)
A support group for LBT women to talk about coming out, sex, religion, dating, relationships, and other issues. For more information, contact the CDGLCC at
(518) 462-6138

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Center Counseling Services

Center counseling services are offered through a partnership between the CDGLCC and the State University of New York at Albany School of Social Welfare program. The counseling is under the clinical supervision of Arlene Istar Lev., LCSW, CASAC.

Counseling services are offered to address issues such as:
Relationship and couple issues, Family and parenting issues, Healing trauma and abuse, Sexual orientation and gender identity, Depression and anxiety, Addictions and recovery, Living with HIV and chronic illness.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with a counselor, call
(518) 462-6138 ext. 12.

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Recovery Groups, hosted by the CDGLCC

Providing a safe and welcoming environment for community members in recovery to meet is part of the CDGLCC's commitment to promote the well being of LGBT people.
The following groups meet weekly at the CDGLCC, 332 Hudson Ave:

LGBT AA - Sundays, 7:30pm
Gay Men's AA - Mondays, 7:30pm
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous - Wednesdays, 6pm
No More Drama LGBTQ Narcotics Anonymous - Thursdays, 7:30pm

* These groups are not programs of the CDGLCC, they are independent groups unaffiliated with any larger organization.

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Confidential HIV Testing, provided by the AIDS Council of NENY

First and Third Fridays each month, 6-8:30pm. For automated information on testing locations, call 518-HIV-TEST. For information on the CDGLCC's HIV Testing schedule, call (518)462-6138.

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