On July 23, the David Bohnett Cyber Center Grand Opening marked the official unveiling of our first intergenerational program for HATCH and Seniors Preparing for Rainbow Years (SPRY). The Cyber Center consists of five state-of-the-art computers and a color laser printer and was funded by the David Bohnett Foundation. It is located in the HATCH room in the GLBT Cultural Center on the 1st floor of MCC at 401 Branard. During its hours of operation, the computers will be available to GLBT youth, ages 13 to 20, and GLBT seniors, 60 years and older. Cyber Center users do not need to be current clients of MCC or participants in SPRY or HATCH. For more information about Cyber Center hours and how to enroll, click here.

The Cyber Center adds to SPRY’s efforts to keep GLBT seniors active and well connected to their peers and community by allowing them to communicate with loved ones via email and have access to information on the internet. Many GLBT seniors struggle with feelings of isolation and worry that receiving services from mainstream providers may mean spending the last years of their lives “in the closet.” At no cost to participants, SPRY offers support groups, peer counseling, and case management services. For more information, watch this video, visit the SPRY website, or call 713.529.0037.

Those who are involved in SPRY also encourage and support one another at SPRY Socials. Activities happen a few times a month and include movie screenings, pot lucks, and trips to casinos, performances, and museums. If you are 60 years or older and want more information about upcoming events, click here.

On the other end of the our communities’ age spectrum, the Cyber Center will enhance HATCH’s current programming by allowing the youth to complete school projects, research, college preparation, resumés, and creative outlets, as well as to connect with their peers and community. HATCH meets Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday evenings to provide our communities’ youth with a safe and supportive environment in which to prosper. Meetings include social interaction, educational programs, and small-group support. In addition, HATCH participants celebrate their authentic selves at annual events, including the HATCH prom, Houston Pride Parade, and Art Car Parade. HATCH works to make local schools a more welcoming place for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and questioning youth and their allies (GLBTIQA) with weekly in-school peer support groups, as well as by training school counselors and faculty to identify and prevent anti-GLBT violence and bullying.

If you are between the ages of 13 and 20 and identify as GLBTIQA, you are welcome at HATCH! For more information, watch this video, visit the HATCH website, or call 713.529.3590.

Want to get involved with one of these programs? For information about becoming a volunteer for the Cyber Center, SPRY, HATCH, or MCC, click here.

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If my partner makes me feel low or bad, what is the best way to let them know and understand how they make me feel? That's one of the thought-provoking questions posed by a HATCH youth in the "Ask Allie" box. The box is available for the teens to drop in anonymous questions whenever something comes up that they are hesitant to ask out loud or in front of others. Montrose Counseling Center's Anti-Violence Program Specialist, Allison Vogt, LBSW, responds to the questions on a regular basis in a notebook she leaves in the HATCH room. The question-and-answer exchange has become so popular that "Ask Allie LIVE!" will now be offered on a weekly basis to the HATCH youth. Every Tuesday between 5 - 6 p.m., before the Transgender and Writers groups, Allison will be available to talk to the youth about healthy relationships. Allison will address different topics each week, such as getting and giving consent, effective communication, power and control vs. equal partners, abusive behavior, how to break-up, safety planning, stalking, manipulation, spiritual and/or cultural differences, being in the closet, letting your freak flag fly, as well as sharing resources for GLBTIQA youth.

HATCH provides a safe social environment for GLBTIQA adolescents, between the ages of 13 and 20, to become positive contributors to society. According to HATCH Youth Services Specialist Deb Murphy, "The dating landscape is different for these youth in that they don't have as many role models to pattern their behavior after. B ecause of this and a number of other factors, too often they are at the mercy of others to define relationship boundaries. This is why we are very excited to have Allison come on a regular basis."

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Between June 30 – July 10, MCC’s Outreach team participated in the 3rd Annual Hip Hop for HIV Awareness. A component of the African American State of Emergency Task Force, the effort was organized by 97.9 The Box, the City of Houston, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), who invited community based organizations, including MCC, to participate. In total, those involved in the effort tested more than 14,400 individuals, ages 14-40, and MCC’s Outreach team completed 450 tests, more than any other participating agency.

To increase awareness of HIV/AIDS and the importance of getting regularly tested, participants were given tickets to the Hip Hop for HIV Awareness Concert at the George R. Brown Convention Center on July 11. Artists included Plies, Pleasure P, Day 26, Melanie Fiona, Bobby Valentino, LeToya, Twista, Yung Problemz, Yung L.A., G.T. & Gorilla Zoe, and Bun B.

Before getting tested, those who took part in the project were given a class on HIV prevention, as well as an HIV assessment created by the city. Oral and fingerprick tests were used, and results were available in 15-20 minutes. Those tested represented all races, genders, sexual orientations, and ages. Some of the youngest had not yet engaged in sexual activity. Risk Reduction Specialist Marilynn Williams, who in her experience has come across many individuals with almost no knowledge of HIV, describes the participation of the youngest ones as the most rewarding part of testing. “It was wonderful to see the kids get an education about HIV before they started engaging in sexual activity,” she said, “Hopefully the experience will have a lasting effect and help them reduce their risk of HIV infection for years to come.”

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Several years ago, it became clear that Montrose Counseling Center had outgrown its home on Richmond Avenue. One of the primary concerns in finding a new space was to make sure we remained in Montrose. "This neighborhood is part of who we are," says Executive Director, Ann J. Robison, PhD. Recently, MCC joined First Montrose Commons Neighborhood Association. First Montrose Commons was established in 1994 to protect and enrich the neighborhood bordered by Montrose Boulevard, Richmond Avenue, West Alabama Street, and Spur 527 by encouraging neighborhood pride, communication, advocacy, and vigilance.

According to the association's newsletter, MCC is the largest property to have signed the petition to designate First Montrose Commons a City of Houston Historic District. The association hopes the designation will help preserve and enhance the special historical character of the neighborhood, stabilize the neighborhood and protect property values, discourage demolition of historic properties, attract homeowners who appreciate historic properties, increase neighborhood visibility with city officials, provide for property tax credits and abatements, and enhance a sense of community and afford preservation education. MCC recently participated in the documentary, "Montrose, TX: The Transformation of a Neighborhood," which aired on PBS in June, because of its concern about the changes taking place in the neighborhood, especially their impact on the aging GLBT population here who, like MCC, have long called Montrose home.

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Did you know that Randalls supports MCC through its Good Neighbor Program? To link your Remarkable Card to MCC's account please fill out this application. Present the completed application at the Courtesy Booth the next time you're at Randalls. After you link your account, MCC will receive 1 percent of qualified purchases every time you use your card.

Be sure to link your Kroger Plus Card to MCC's Neighbor to Neighbor account, and MCC will receive a donation based on your purchases. Even if you've previously linked your card, y ou must do so every year starting in July in order for your purcha ses to support MCC. Please print this bar code and present it to your checker the next time you shop at Kroger.

In the last 12 months, these programs have resulted in donations of nearly $400 to MCC. Help us double this amount in the upcoming year by participating in these programs. Encourage your friends and loved ones to join you in securing donations for MCC without spending an extra penny at the grocery store.

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Spread the Word about Our Services
Get up-to-date information about MCC's programs and events by reading our monthly e-newsletter, and then spread the word. If you're not yet on our elist, send us an email or subscribe online [see upper right sidebar of this webpage]. Help us spread the word about MCC by encouraging your friends and loved ones to sign up too!

For more immediate updates, be sure to "friend" MCC on Facebook and follow HATCH on Twitter.

Visit Us for a Behind-the-Scenes Tour
Have you seen the newly furnished HATCH room and Cyber Center in the GLBT Cultural Center? The Outreach and Education prevention suite? The warm, welcoming counseling offices? Schedule a tour at your convenience to find out about the important work we do at MCC by calling 713.529.0037 x372 or sending us an email.

Volunteer Your Time and Talents
Do you have an extra hour or two each week? Each month? Spend it with us! Volunteers are needed for a variety of projects, from staffing the Cyber Center to assisting the front desk with clerical work. For more information, click here or call 713.529.0037 x372.

Donate, as Little or as Much as You Can
We gladly accept one-time, monthly, and multi-year donations, as well as planned gifts. Designate your donation to a particular program, or allow us to use the funds where they are most needed. Click here to donate online or send donations, c/o Development, to 401 Branard, 2nd Floor, Houston, Texas 77006.

Not all donations are monetary. Visit our Wish List of In-Kind Goods and find out how you can support MCC by searching or shopping online by clicking here.

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Join host Lady Jenny Ray Larue for the Empire of the Royal Sovereign Imperial Court of the Single Star, Inc. (ERSICSS) Ladies of Distinction, Southern Style show on Friday, August 7, at 9 p.m. at Crocker Bar, 2312 Crocker St. The fun will include a drag show, hand bag/purse auction, and Southern grub. Open to all performers, the event will benefit HATCH through Coronation XXVI’s charities.

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Join hosts Empress XXV Marcia Mink Anne Gill and Queen of Olympus XXXIX Billey Bailey at the Fringe Fling on Sunday, August 16, at 8 p.m. at Brazos River Bottom (BRB), 2400 Brazos St . The show begins after Krewe of Olympus's Trash Disco Event. Open to all performers, the event will benefit HATCH through Coronation XXVI’s charities.

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On August 28-30, Imperial Prince and Princess Royale Matt Gill and Sheri Anne Bouton invite you to join them for three days of fun at ERSICSS 's Imperial Prince/Princess Royale (IPR) Weekend , benefiting HATCH through Coronation XXVI’s charities. Activities include:

• At 8 p.m. on Friday, August 28, join us for the Drag in the Bag show with guest emcee Lady Jenny Ray Larue at Crocker Bar, 2312 Crocker St. The event will include food, fun, and games. $5 buy-in for games and quizzes.
• From noon-5 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, Car Wash and carnival games abound in the parking lot of EJ’s, 2517 Ralph St. While you get your car washed for only $5, play carnival games and enjoy some fun carnival food.
• At 9 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, come to George Your Country Sports Bar, 617 Fairview, for the IPR Meet & Greet .
• At 8 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, enjoy the ERSICSS Talent Show at Brazos River Bottom (BRB), 2400 Brazos St. A limited number of tables are available, so purchase yours today! For additional information about the weekend or to purchase a table, email moosemattgill@gmail.com.

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Montrose Counseling Center's Continuing Education classes will feature Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Hepatitis, and Tuberculosis on August 21 from 1 - 4 p.m. The class will take place in the GLBT Cultural Center on the 1st floor of MCC and is open to everyone. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for LMSWs, LBSWs, LCDCs, and LPCs. The class costs $30 if prepaid. There will be an additional $10 fee if paid at the door.

For more information about upcoming Continuing Education classes and how to register for them, click here. Please call MCC's Education Department at 713.529.0037 for additional information.

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Sponsor rooms in your loved ones' names, and they will forever be a part of our community's history. Rooms may be named for yourself, someone you love, or your favorite community group. Opportunities begin at $5,000, which may be satisfied over time. Email or call 713.529.0037 x372 for more information.

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Looking for a venue for an upcoming commitment ceremony, movie screening, meeting, or event? The GLBT Cultural Center has available, affordable space. Rent-able spaces can accommodate groups of up to 268 people. Lease-able office space is available for nonprofit groups, but spaces are going quickly. For more information, click here, call 713.529.0037 x372, or send us an email.

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We love the Houston Area Bears (HAB) for their ongoing support of HATCH. Thank you for funding the furniture in the HATCH room, as well as for your recent donation of more than $2,000.

We'd like to take this opportunity to recognize the John Steven Kellett Foundation for providing the HATCH room with such a wonderful entertainment center.

We sincerely appreciate Josh Price, organizer of the Montrose Community Meltdown Challenge, f or encouraging participants to donate food to MCC’s HIV case management clients and HATCH participants in need.

Huge thanks to Imperial Princess Royale Sheri Anne Bouton for hosting ERSICSS's Two by Two Duet Show on July 24, and to Imperial Prince Royale Matt Gill for hosting ERSICSS's Summer of Love show on July 26, both benefiting HATCH through Coronation XXVI's charities.

Thank you to Imperial Prince Susan Hayes, VisCount Alex Stroud, and Duchess Vixen Devereaux Morehead for hosting ERSICSS’s Well Blended Show on July 31, benefiting HATCH through Coronation XXVI's charities.

Special thanks to Grand Dukes Aaron Patterson and Royce Siebert and Grand Duchesses Cravyn Morehead and Natasha Nikole Siebert for hosting ERSICSS's bus trip to Coushatta Casino Resort on August 1, benefiting HATCH through Coronation XXVI's charities.

We sincerely appreciate the David Bohnett Foundation for providing us with our new Cyber Center. Thank you for recognizing the importance of providing internet access, educational enhancement, and computer technology to nonprofit organizations who serve the GLBT communities.

Huge thanks go out to Tart Cafe and Baba Yega Restaurant for donating delicious treats for our Cyber Center Grand Opening.

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