MISSION FOR NOVEMBER 2025

OutCenter of Southwest Michigan

The OutCenter of Southwest Michigan aims to advocate for change and provide community to LGBTQ+ persons, their allies, and their families in Southwest Michigan. The center does this through advocacy efforts, support services, and community building programs. It also pursues initiatives that change systems, working in partnership with area-wide systems to ensure that LGBTQ+ people receive equitable services within their communities.

Education

OutCenter believes that education is part of advocacy. They work with systems throughout Berrien, Van Buren, and Cass counties to educate others about the LGBTQ+ community. They offer advocacy through education in large civic spheres, one-on-one meetings with leaders and elected officials, as well as with individuals and families. The center educates and advocate for the lives of rural communities, LGBTQ+ people, and LGBTQ+ resource centers in national settings. You can access a recorded version of the center’s Pathways to Belonging
training here: https://youtu.be/JoRK0r-48fs

Empathy

The center provides support, social, and discussion groups that aim to foster a safe and welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community, in all of its diversity. They foster dialogue between community leaders, families, and organizations. All of their programs work together to promote social justice, intersectionality, equality, and acceptance. No Silly Questions is a weekly content resource where OutCenter staff cover questions you and others may have about queer culture, healthy relationships, the history of the LGBTQ+ community. No question is too silly. Wondering about different LGBTQ+ flags? What was Stonewall really about? Want to make sense of queer terminology and inside jokes? Then No Silly Questions is for you! Follow the content on social media and participate by submitting your own question. https://www.outcenter.org/questions

Equity

OutCenter works to plan or promote programming that uplifts, values, and includes the voices of all LGBTQ+ people in the center’s service area of Southwest Michigan. Through its support and social programming, it purposefully provides resources and support for individuals to live their most authentic selves, live their life full of purpose, and bring equity, diversity, and inclusion into every aspect of their lives. They promote inclusion for rural LGBTQ+ centers and people in the national dialogue. Learn more about OutCenter Chats and Teen Pride.

You can contribute to widening God’s mercy to youth and adults in Southwest Michigan by donating to the OutCenter directly https://www.outcenter.org/donate or giving to our November Mission Focus.

 

MISSION TEAM MEMBERS
Monique Yoder (Chairperson), Wanda Barclay, Barb Clark, Kathleen Deforest,
Paster Elise, Wayne Koebel, Mindi Logan, Dick Lukey, Kellie Meyer, Leanne Nitz,
Nancy Poelker, Barb Pries, Kathy Sankey, Myra Thompson, Lona Vogie,
Rachel Wade, Robin Weingart, Paul Westmaas