A few years ago, the Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association was mired in red ink, its future was in doubt, and some of its ambitious programs were curtailed. Now we are happy to report in today’s paper that the group has rebounded.
In fact, OPALGA’s leaders have announced that it will share the proceeds from its upcoming annual gala with five area charities to further their work. Benefiting will be PFLAG Oak Park (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), which provides support services; the Lesbian Community Care Project, which offers health and support services to women; PCC Community Wellness Center and its efforts at HIV prevention among gay, bisexual and transgender young men; the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance, which works with LGBTQ youth of school age; and the Broadway Youth Center at the Howard Brown Health Center, which offers a wide range of services to youth.
There is not another organization in Oak Park that has, over many years, matched the community service and civic involvement fostered through OPALGA. We cheer their resurgence.