The Portal (community center) facts for kids
| Founder(s) | Rickie Green |
|---|---|
| Type | LGBT Community Center |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Headquarters | 2419 Greenmount Avenue Suites 1 and 4, Baltimore, Maryland, United States |
| Area served | Baltimore and Central Maryland |
The Portal was a special community center in Baltimore, Maryland. It was a safe and welcoming place for young people of color who are part of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community. The center was run by a non-profit group called Empowering New Concepts, Inc. (ENC, Inc.). This group was started in 2001 by Rickie Green.
The Portal aimed to help young people feel safe and supported. They offered information about staying healthy and safe. Their main goal was to help build stronger communities where everyone felt accepted and had access to good healthcare, education, and other helpful services.
The Portal's Journey
The Portal opened its doors for the first time on August 19, 2002. It was located at 302 Park Avenue. Later, it moved to a new spot on September 16, 2004, at 16 South Calvert Street. Finally, on September 1, 2005, it moved to its last home at 2419 Greenmount Avenue.
Helping Others and Making a Difference
In 2005, The Portal helped support a legal case about equal rights for all people in Maryland. They joined a special legal document called an amicus brief to share their views.
In October 2005, The Portal received an important grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. This money helped their program called YBU (Why Be You). YBU was a group program for young people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. It was designed to help them deal with unfair treatment in schools. The program helped young people feel more confident and accepted for who they are.
In 2009, The Portal held a public meeting about HIV. This event was held around World AIDS Day, which is a day to raise awareness about HIV. They also became a partner in a program that teaches people about HIV vaccine research.
In May 2010, The Portal put on a show called AESTHETICS: Perception... (& the Eye of the Beholder). This event included theater, spoken word, music, and dance performances. It was held at the Maryland Institute College of Art to celebrate World AIDS Vaccine Day. This was the third year in a row they had put on such a show.
