FAQ

When will the Community Center open?
We are still in the planning stages. The Community Center will open as soon as enough funding can be secured for capitol and operating expenses. Once we are assured that we can meet our monthly expenses, we will open the center in a physical location. We have achieved non profit 501(c)(3) status so we can now apply for and receive grants for funding. Until then, we are relying on donations that are now fully tax-exempt.

Where will the Community Center be located?

The Center will be located in Northwest Arkansas. We would like for it to be in a central location somewhere between Fayetteville and Bella Vista, along the I-540 corridor. However, it really depends upon where we can get property that is safe for our visitors and suits the needs of the Community Center.

What will be at the Center?
Staff will always be at the center to assist visitors. We would also like to have someone available for intake when someone needs services or referrals. Some things that are being considered for the center are: Library, coffee shop/snack bar, resource guides, community calendar of event listings, bulletin boards, big screen TV & VCR/DVD, lounge, professional services referrals, social service referrals, meeting space for GLBT organizations and support groups, health information and screening programs, computer terminals, magazine rack, and a game room.

What activities will be there?

Many different programs and services are being considered at this time. Some things that we would like to see are: Elder, Youth, Bisexual, Men's, Women's, Coming Out, and other support groups or services, legal services (referral), counseling services (referral), sports teams, education classes, health testing/referrals, domestic violence assistance, a drop in center, care giver referrals, meetings, GLBT Advocacy, smoking cessation support, shut-in outreach, HIV/AIDS programs, education both online and in the center, fitness classes, and a wide variety of social events.

These lists are not set in stone, and there may be other things added or deleted as time goes on, space allows, and money is available. We would like to keep the cost of services and programs to a minimum to allow everyone to enjoy the Community Center.
We have so many ideas and want to hear what ideas you have so let us know.

How and when did the Center project begin?
In February of 2006, a group of people were on a Yahoo group discussing how frustrating it is to get all of the GLBT information out to all of the GLBT's in NWA. We also noticed that many events were scheduled on the same dates because different organizations were unable to communicate, in a central location, about their events. The more that the discussion progressed, we began to see the need for a Community Center in Northwest Arkansas. We began talking to other GLBT's in the area, and those discussions also confirmed the need for centralized services for the GLBT community in NWA, as well as all of Arkansas. We set a meeting date, and passed the word in the community. At our first meeting on March 11, 2006, there were 10 very committed and excited people ready to build a Community Center in NWA. Since March 1, 2006, our Yahoo group has grown on a daily basis, many GLBT's have contacted us to assist with various needs, and donations have begun to come in. We have registered with the National LGBT Community Center in Washington DC, and have had amazing support from the community in general. Currently we have registered with the IRS, and are working with a volunteer Attorney to help get our Bylaws and legal documents in order. We have had an amazing outpouring of support so far, and we expect the Community Center to be a quality place for the GLBT folks in NWA.

Who is working on the center?

There are many people doing a variety of things to get the center going.

Are donations to the Center tax-deductible?
Currently, donations are tax-deductible. and you can legally take your donation off on your taxes, we will need to continue taking donations for the Center. We are supported only by your donations and a few corporate sponsors at this time. A donation receipt will be issued to anyone who makes a donation of goods, services or money if they ask for a receipt.

How can I get involved? What if I haven't any special talents?
We constantly need people to do all kinds of things. There are jobs that are time consuming and involve a huge commitment. There are small jobs that only require you to purchase a bag of cookies. There is every job in between. No matter your time, talents, or skills, there will be something for you to do to help with the creation of the Community center.

We are currently in need of more volunteers to help with our elderly and disabled members. We are planning a number of large and small events which need a large number of folks with a wide variety of talents to plan and execute them. We have an HIV/AIDS Buddy Program we call the "NWA Positive Links Buddy Program" which needs more members and volunteers to help them deal with the day to day obstacles of living with HIV or AIDS.

We are also looking for individuals with prior 501(c)3 and non-profit experience to fill out our Board and Officers staff to help the center run more efficiently and effectively. We encourage all who may be interested to meet with us or contact us with the special talents they may have.

Learn more ways to Get Involved in the development of the NWA GLBT Community Center.