Rockland County Pride Center

Rockland County Pride Center is the flagship LGBTQ+ community organization and multi-service resource center dedicated to advancing the health, well-being, dignity, and civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning individuals and their families throughout Rockland County and the surrounding Lower Hudson Valley. Established in 2015 to address the critical need for dedicated suburban LGBTQ+ infrastructure, the organization operates its headquarters on South Franklin Street in downtown Nyack, creating an affirming, accessible home where community members of all ages and backgrounds find belonging, safety, and mutual support.

The center’s youth and family programs provide vital safety nets and leadership opportunities for local adolescents. Its supervised after-school youth center offers middle and high school students a welcoming physical environment complete with warm meals, study spaces, peer socialization, and crisis counseling. Youth advocates collaborate directly with local school districts, guidance counselors, and Gay-Straight Alliances to combat bullying, train educators on gender-affirming school policies, and support parents through structured family navigation and caregiver support circles that strengthen household acceptance.

Adult programming, elder care, and specialized identity groups form another cornerstone of the center’s work. The organization facilitates an extensive calendar of peer-led support groups, including dedicated circles for transgender and nonbinary individuals, bisexual community members, gay men, and lesbian women. For older adults, the center hosts daytime social lunches, wellness workshops, and intergenerational storytelling gatherings designed to combat senior isolation. Recognizing the diverse demographics of Rockland County, the center delivers comprehensive bilingual programming through Servicios en Español, ensuring that immigrant and Hispanic LGBTQ+ residents have equitable access to emergency assistance, legal referrals, and community resources.

Healthcare access and community wellness are delivered through strategic medical partnerships and direct outreach. The center collaborates closely with Montefiore Nyack Hospital to facilitate culturally competent primary medical care, gender-affirming hormone therapy, and preventative medicine at the Jacobs Family Pride Wellness Center. The center also offers free, confidential rapid HIV and STI screenings, mental health referrals, mindfulness workshops, and holistic wellness sessions that promote physical and emotional resilience. In addition, the center maintains emergency food pantry shelves and clothing supplies for community members in immediate need.

Beyond its facility walls, the center organizes Rockland Pride Sunday, the county’s signature annual pride parade and street festival in downtown Nyack featuring musical performances, local artisans, and community organization booths. Community members can access programs, join support groups, or speak with an advocate by visiting the South Franklin Street center or contacting staff by phone or email. Services are offered free of charge to participants regardless of financial means. Local residents, corporate partners, and allies can support the mission by volunteering at the center, assisting with youth mentoring, joining committee leadership, or making tax-deductible financial contributions to sustain inclusive community programs across Rockland County.