COMPASS GRAND OPENING CELEBRATES PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AND KICK-OFF FOR ANNUAL PRIDEFEST

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – On Friday March 20^th, 2009 at 5:30pm, Compass, the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Palm Beach County, will hold a grand opening celebration at its new location on 201 North Dixie Highway in Lake Worth, FL, formerly the Palm Beach County Mid-County Senior Citizens Center. The event will highlight the successful completion of the first phase of Compass’ Landmark & Legacy Campaign. The celebration is the realization of a public-private partnership first proposed by Compass, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, in 2006. Under the partnership Compass agreed to rehabilitate, maintain and operate the 13,000 sq ft. building under a 20-year, low rent lease in exchange for providing state and nationally recognized services in downtown Lake Worth. The $1.5 million renovation was planned to ensure the long-term vitality of Compass as a resource to the Palm Beach County community and preserve a landmark established as a community center nearly 30 years ago.

At 4:30pm, City of Lake Worth Mayor Jeff Clemens and Tana Ebbole, CEO of the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, will welcome Compass’ organizational partners and discuss the growing need for public-private partnerships. Compass will then conduct a ribbon cutting ceremony at 5:30pm followed by an open house.

Compass’ grand opening is the kick-off to one of many events surrounding PrideFest of the Palm Beaches, which will take place March 28 & 29 in Bryant Park. In addition to the traditional PrideFest celebrations, Sonja Abrahamsen and Alfred Fiandaca, annual co-chairs for Cocktails for Compass, will also host a special evening with Morgan Fairchild at a private reception and dinner scheduled for April 2^nd in Palm Beach, FL.

In budget size and staffing, Compass is the largest gay and lesbian community center in Florida and the Southeast United States and is the fifth largest in the country behind the Los Angeles, New York, Dallas and San Francisco community centers.

Compass Mission

Compass aims to diminish stereotypes by challenging long-standing misconceptions about the character of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. We accomplish this by emboldening our youth, promoting pride in our community, and acting as an educator, advocate, health service provider, and focal point for community organizing. As good neighbors, effective partners, and respected participants in our civic responsibilities, Compass promotes awareness of the caring nature of our diverse community.