PERSAD CENTER, INC.

Options: Vision, Mission and/or Purpose of Organization

PERSAD CENTER's mission is to improve the well-being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and people affected by HIIV. Through counseling, prevention, outreach, training & advocacy, PERSAD builds stronger, safer and healthier communities.

PERSAD CENTER's areas of professional expertise and service include:

COUNSELING: PERSAD was created as an affirming counseling center to help LGBT people cope with the social discrimination they experience and to receive professional counseling services without prejudice about their identify.

TRAINING & ADVOCACY: PERSAD offers an array of consultation services that are designed to help organizations work successfully with LGBT consumers and employees. We are dedicated to ending discrimination and creating welcoming environments for LGBT people. Our Training & Advocacy services are available to health and human service professionals, schools, corporations, HR professionals, law enforcement and public safety officials.

OUTREACH: There are two prongs to PERSAD’s Outreach efforts: forging powerful relationships with allies, and connecting LGBT and HIV+ people with the specialized services they need. In collaboration with allies and friends, PERSAD works to build stronger, safer, healthier communities and steer the public dialogue about LGBT people and issues.

PREVENTION: Recognizing that LGBT people are at higher risk for suicide, depression, substance abuse, HIV and other STDs, homelessness, and for being the victims of violence, PERSAD has special programs to help the community be aware of their risks and to develop protective behaviors to reduce their risks.

History of Organization:

Founded in 1972, PERSAD is the nation's second oldest licensed counseling organization serving the LGBT community. PERSAD was founded at a time when the mental health community response to someone who identified as LGBT was to try to change them and correct them as if it were the problem. PERSAD was created as an affirming counseling center to help LGBT people cope with the social discrimination they experienced and to receive professional counseling services without prejudice about their identify. In the early 1980’s PERSAD added serving the HIV/AIDS communities to our mission because of the devastating impact that HIV had on the gay population of that time. PERSAD continues to serve the HIV+ individual regardless of their sexual or gender orientation.

Options: Accreditations and Licenses

PERSAD CENTER, INC. is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Mental Health, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health's Division of Drug and Alcohol Program Licensing. Licensing does not imply endorsement.

Leadership

Contact Information

Contact Phone Numbers

Number* Title / Description (Telephone, Toll free, Fax, etc.)
(412) 441-9786 phone
(412) 363-2375 fax
888-873-7723 Appointments & Questions

Web Addresses

Website* Title / Description (National, Local office, etc.)
www.persadcenter.org/

Primary Address

Title/Description (Corporate office, Headquarters, etc.)

Persad Center Inc.

Address:

5150 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15224-1688
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Services Provided

Speaker Available

No

Volunteer Use

No

Volunteer Need

No

Thank You To Our Sponsors

We are grateful to our many partners who provide financial and operational support. 

OUR SUPPORTERS