As a community, we have overcome and adapted to many challenges and changes over the years.  Our community is strong, resilient and undeterred by obstacles.  We continually develop new ways to reach our goals and to provide for each other.

Your Colorado Springs Pride organization is dedicated to serving Colorado Springs and the vicinity through connecting, supporting and empowering the LGBT community within our ever-changing society and economic climate. Just the other day, a visibly nervous young man in his 60's sat in our facility and after nearly a half an hour said three words that he had never said aloud, not for 63 years...those simple, but incredibly difficult words were "I Am Gay."  Let's call him Bob.  Bob had been following cosPRIDE on the Internet for months, driving past the building for weeks, and finally one sunny day found the courage to actually park his car and walk through our doors just to say to another human being that he was a part of the LGBT community and needed to live his life as he should, free and equal.  Your support allowed cosPRIDE to be there for Bob and to connect him with his community.

The economy has greatly influenced the ability for many organizations and businesses to reach their goals. The biggest adjustment for most non-profit organizations is the withdrawal of grant money from other entities including government funding due to our economy.  Our 34-year old Pride organization is no different and we have adapted to these challenges by making some difficult decisions of living within the means of community-supported, donor-based revenue while continuing to pursue any available grants.

The change in revenue streams means changes in how we do business and influences our financial priorities.  We have taken a hard look at the economic realities while evaluating the effectiveness towards our mission of connecting, supporting and empowering.

As the Board of Directors of YOUR Pride organization, we have decided the most efficient use of our donor-based resources is to move to a new location with more visibility to the general community while providing a more cost-effective facility.  Maintaining residence at our present location is neither in keeping with our expanded advocacy mission nor financially prudent.

The downtown area offers better visibility and we believe it to be the best choice for our location. This will help us to engage the general public, will raise awareness, and will enable us to network better with natural allies.

Progress usually means change.  This adjustment will temporarily alter some services we provide through the Pride center today, however it will not change our mission as an organization. We are currently working out accommodations for the groups we house and sponsor.  

Our dignity model (a partnership with local community agencies where a person only shares their situation once to gain the different services that they need) is just one of the many UNIQUE services that we will continue to provide.  We are also greatly expanding our role in advocacy for the issues that matter most to YOU by presenting a powerful, cohesive voice for the LGBT community to the City of Colorado Springs and to El Paso County!

The services that we provide to our community are financially supported by YOU and other community members who share our vision of an all-inclusive society and who are invested in the LGBT future of Colorado Springs & El Paso County.

Be part of Colorado Springs history!  We encourage you to be part of this culture of change by donating to YOUR Pride organization.  We are asking YOU for a contribution of $25 per month but ANY amount will be greatly appreciated and will add your voice to the community.  

For our current donors, we sincerely thank you for recognizing the value of a strong and visible LGBT voice and would encourage you to increase your contribution as you are able to further strengthen our advocacy efforts and services.

We are pioneers in many ways because of the amount of work to be done through political avenues and through individual attitudes. Future generations will benefit from the things that we do today.  We are excited to help drive the cultural change and we are honored to serve YOU!   

Oh, and by the way, we see a new, smiling and empowered Bob almost on a weekly basis.  He's Out and Proud because of your support.  

In your service,

COS Pride Board of Directors

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