Las Vegas Sands Tuesday announced a contribution of approximately $142,000 to the LGBTQ Center of Southern Nevada. The donation to the non-profit organization that cares for and champions LGBTQIA+ individuals is through its philanthropic arm, Sands Cares.
Sands’ contributions will support the Arlene Cooper Community Health Center in Downtown Las Vegas, funding a new exam room and counseling rooms to accommodate the growing demand for services. The Cooper Health Center is transitioning into a full-service medical clinic with the goal of becoming a Federally Qualified Health Center in 2023.
Funds also will be used to renovate the LGBTQ Center’s events center. Upgrades to the events center are expected to deliver revenue-generating income through special events and rental fees.
“Sands continues to be a dedicated partner in helping us realize our strategic vision to better serve the LGBTQ+ community by investing in initiatives that support our long-term sustainability and deliver critical resources to support our mission,” said LGBTQ Center CEO John Waldron in a statement. “The Sands Cares funding helps us provide life-saving resources to positively impact the lives of people in crisis, victims of crime and individuals seeking medical assistance in a safe and supportive environment, as well as deliver affirming programs and services for the LGBTQ+ community.”
Sands Cares established a partnership with the LGBTQ Center in 2021 that helped complete the first phase of a capital campaign to expand the Arlene Cooper Community Health Center. Through Sands Cares and other community funding, the health center increased patient service days from four to six in 2021 and expanded treatment for individuals unable to pay for services; outreach activities for communities most vulnerable to HIV infection; education programs for people living with HIV; prevention collateral to inform at-risk communities; and medical supplies used to treat conditions related to sexual health.
“The progress The Center has made with the health center over the past year has been remarkable, which gave us strong confidence in expanding our support to include the events center as another capacity-building focus of our partnership,” said Sands Senior Vice President of Global Communications and Corporate Affairs Ron Reese in a statement. “The health center and the events center are two key assets that both serve the LGBTQ+ community and ensure the long-term sustainability of The Center. We look forward to seeing their continued progress in these endeavors.”
As part of Pride Month in June, Sands is collaborating with the LGBTQ Center to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, including the organization’s annual PrEP Rally that helps educate the community on HIV prevention and other resources for harm reduction.
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