Center on Halsted

Great community center with convenient location, a variety of services and great staff. The space is comfortable and best of all-​All gender bathrooms! Yes

STAY AWAY!!!
I have lived in Lakeview/​Boystown for 8 years now and never have ever been to the Center On Halsted. I was told that there was a venue with roof top. The web site was somewhat helpful and wanted to view the space for myself.
It took 3 weeks for someone to get back to me after leaving 5 voicemails and 8 emails to schedule a showing. I was told to come in on Saturday where the person that was to meet me «forgot». I called back that following Monday and was again given the run around for 2 weeks about dates to use the space. I was told that I would haev to pay extra for security, to use the roof top even if the space was not going to be used. I was told that if this was not a «Gay» function I could not receive the discounted price. I was not allowed to bring food in from a non approved vender. I thought that this was a Community Center? I live in the community, but I am not allowed to rent the space at the discounted price!!!
Word is that you need to be fiends with and or give a kick back to Tico Valle the Operations Manager. I would love to see the financial records for this place.
Letter to the City/​mayor & Alderman on it’s way.
Dont waste your time with this place!!!

The Center is located in Boystown and is an excellent community gathering spot. It is spacious and bright in the community room at the front entrance, where you’ll find people hanging out and chatting, working on their laptops, or reading. You can access the Whole Foods next door from the community room, as well. There is also an information desk if you wander in and have questions or need to find something/​someone.
I was at the center to view a local documentary and listen to a panel discussion about youth homelessness in Chicago. The theater is on the smaller side and was at capacity for this event, but it allowed for people to discuss on stage, and had decent acoustics.
Aside from entertainment and events, the center also provides social services like therapy, HIV testing and counseling, and outreach services. Just within the last couple of months an LGBTQ senior living complex was opened next to the center, as well!
Center on Halsted is a vital part of the community and is just another reason I love Lakeview and Uptown.

My partner and I got married here in October 2014. We used the theatre space for the ceremony, the roof garden for cocktails, and the reception hall for dining. It was perfect! The staff was very accommodating and easy to work with. They pretty much let us do whatever we wanted (within reason of course) and the place looked amazing. Plus the nighttime views of downtown from the roof garden cannot be matched. We could not be more pleased with how our event turned out.

Great place to nibble on something from the adjoining Whole Foods, surf on the free wifi, and people watch during all seasons.

The Center on Halsted is a great place for meeting. You can rent out conference rooms on the second floor and they have a non-​profit rate. There is also plenty of space to have a meeting in their common areas if you cannot afford the rental prices. Its connection to Whole Foods is convenient especially if you would like to grab food. It’s a short walk from the Addison red line station.

Overall I think this is a great place. I’ve read some of the other reviews & I will admit that yes, they can have issues on occasion. They are a non-​profit so retaining good people is always a struggle plus they have many volunteers as well.
That said, I think they have a lot of great programs & are a big plus for the community in many ways. I’ve been in here for a number of services/​programs & personally have always had good experiences.

We have had a horrible experience with Center on Halsted’s services for a transgender individual and a pansexual individual that were in my charge recently. Here’s the timeline:
*Toured the facility. Made appointment for intake with case worker Rayna Moore.
*Complete intake paperwork. Make appointment for case management with Rayna.
*A Friday — Arrived to appointment 10 minutes early. The receptionist called Rayna and got her voice mail. Thirty minutes later, client asked the receptionist to call again. When Rayna down, she said we were twenty minutes late and we told her we were ten minutes early and that the receptionist had called. She seemed flustered and said she never got the message but couldn’t meet with us any longer that day.
*Monday, client called Rayna and left a message to re-​schedule. He received no response. The next day, on Tuesday, he called again and left another two messages to re-​schedule. He received no response. The next day, on Wednesday, he called again and left another message to re-​schedule. He again received no response. So I called the same day and left a message. I called right back to ask to speak to a manager above Rayna’s head but received the Rayna’s extension again. She answered this time, did not acknowledge her lack of communication with the client and was very sweet toward me. We were able to re-​schedule our appointment.
On the day of the appointment, I made an unfortunate error in timing and traffic and we were running late. I called her at exactly the time of our appointment to tell her we were running ten minutes late (voice mail again, even though she should have been expecting a call to say we were there at that time!) and we did indeed arrive there exactly ten minutes late. The receptionist left her another message to tell her we were there. We waited for twenty minutes without seeing Rayna. The receptionist attempted to call her again with no answer, saying her co-​workers were all looking for her (really? It’s not that big of a space!).
We received no call from Rayna about her missing a second appointment. So I e-​mailed the director of youth services, Tim’m West. When he e-​mails me back, he gives me the excuse of overextended staff and says he would meet with me on a Saturday, although he made it sound like it would be as a HUGE favor to me. I asked to speak by phone during that Saturday slot as he suggested or meet at a different time since I would not be available then, anyway, and I made it obvious I was interested in going the distance for Chicago’s LGBT/​Q youth. This was four days ago and I still have not heard back from him.
In a community that is fragile, trying to gain ground and receive the legitimacy it deserves in today’s culture, I am disappointed for any client who slips through the cracks or is blatantly discriminated against for any reason. The client I was in charge of was finally receiving the support at home that he needs as a transsexual human being but he has been let down again by the huge promise and hope he saw in Center on Halsted and their services. Finally, he could receive hormones and counseling to get his life on track. Instead, he was let down and because he realized that he would not be receiving reliable help from the Center, he relocated back to Michigan and, subsequently, back to a damaging and unsupportive environment where no possibility of such a center of support exists. Having worked in non-​profit and now as a teacher, I was appalled to get the run around from both Rayna and Tim’m. Don’t tell me your staff is overextended — that’s why we made appointments. Don’t act like fixing your staff’s error is a huge favor to me or an inconvenience for you when it shouldn’t have been made to begin with. I feel like the youth in my care was blatantly discriminated against. Nothing else can explain why he called four times with no response or why she skipped out on two meetings, not even if she was overextended.
I don’t know about their cyber center or meeting and event services. I just would not recommend them for LGBT/​Q services. They were disappointing to everyone involved and I can only imagine this is happening across the board.

Absolutely a hardcore stop for not only the LGBT/​QQ youth, but for seniors! I love the fact that they have an area designated just for them, that is a big plus to see.
I had the chance of visiting through my University and we had our own private tour. What a place. I was once part of the Horizons which is where the Center derived from many years ago. I was a client as a teen and I was lost, but because of the Horizons I quickly learned the ropes of advocacy. The Centers on Halsted is absolutely needed here and they are a giant part of the LGBT QQ Community indeed.
The services range not only of legal advice (sliding scale) but also of counseling and other much needed things.
Smack dab in the middle of the LGBT community, it is accessible to anyone that needs services. Volunteers are also welcomed so now you know.

This is something I’ve struggled with for about 2 years now, but I feel that it would be useful to others that might plan an event here.
Out of all of the wedding planning we did the ONLY negative thing was dealing with the Center on Halsted. We looked at many other venues of course, and decided we would rather give our money to a good cause that we believe in.
Basically, while working with Zach we had to deal with fighting to get answers on things. Trying to meet with him or anyone for that matter. Feeling like we were troubling *them* when we asked for a simple thing like checking the lighting on the stage for the ceremony a couple of days before. There’s no one to guard the elevator to make sure odd folks don’t come upstairs. And then, in the very end, they tried to give us a bill for going over in time at the center during our wedding. To the point I had to show a hotel receipt for what time we checked in there and we were the last to leave and cleaned up. At our own wedding. Why? Because we knew they would try something like this after everything beforehand.
There are the nit-​picky things like when I say I don’t want that giant, ugly statue you have to be in the room, and you say ‘okay it won’t be here’ and then it is? Wow, if I was crazy bride, we’d have issues. But I wasn’t and Nikki C.‘s DJ area blocked the monstrosity so it was ‘fine’.
I would never plan an event here again. Nor do I try to have anything to do with the CoH any longer. I’ve been to the laughable volunteer training sessions, only to leave not enthused to volunteer at all. I’ve been to their ‘fancy’ gala, only to be rushed through the entire evening and not feeling like $ 500 a head was worth it.
My wife and I have come to the conclusion that the Center needs to figure out who they want to be and execute those details, and do it well. They’re trying to do too many things at once with far too little of a staff. And they’re failing miserably. I wanted it to succeed of course, for the LGBT youth out there… but they’re no longer getting any money from me and my family. And I would try and sway someone from doing a large event here as well.

I came all the way from L.A. for GQC! Okay, not quite (I came to visit, GQC was just a perk!), but I really did travel that far. It was great to be in a safe space where we were able to just talk. I mostly listened, but everyone there was pretty rad. I would recommend coming here for any LGBT/​Q people in the area, or friends of LGBT/​Q people if you want to learn, I guess.

I would like to modify my previous review regarding the Cyber Center. I felt that I need to give the center a second chance and I’m glad I did. The system seemed to move much faster. I may have had a bad computer or maybe they cleaned up the system– who knows. I was able to enter additional websites than I had listed in my original review.
The staff members have been very helpful and friendly. Just a reminder… to review the COH’s website for the times for the open lab since they also offer various classes which are generally free.
I shall be back…

Wow. They do so much for the transgender community and others, I won’t even go into details here. Best thing for me is the first floor. They have free wi-​fi and let you eat food there. So sometimes I come to hang out.
Their bathrooms are IMMACULATE, and the upstairs bathroom allows «us» (transgendered) to enter the male or female side. One gripe: there’s a heavy alcoholic smell in the air like really strong vodka. I’m sure it’s just from the cleaning tools, but phew. I hate vodka. When I go to the bathroom I have to pull my shirt over my nose. NOT good when you’re trying to wipe!

I was here to watch floor hockey here at the Center on Halstead. From the street, there are always people in this center. I do not know much about the services that the center on Halstead, but I believe that it is really nice that there is a center that facilitates meaningful LGBT activities. One of the activities that I got to witness was floor hockey. There was ample room for the games to occur.
I think what caught my attention at this facility was the gender politically correct labels of the restrooms. The male restroom was the «male identified» one and the female restroom was the «female identified» one. I think these labels in a positive manner acknowledge the «T» within the LGBT acronym which is often overlooked.

I mean, really who can say anything bad about a place that helps the lgbt community (actually, anyone in need), provides space for theater and art gallery showings, while even being able to offer classes on almost everything to enrich people’s lives?!
Umm, I can’t say one bad thing. Even the fact that there’s a Whole Foods next door that you can get pizza from and take into the lobby is nice.
My advice: Come to see one of their plays/​presentations. Come to see how they are helping the lgbt community and maybe help out with them. Come to an art gallery show. Basically just come to the Center of Halsted. You’ll be glad you did.

I’m not really the best representative of the LGBT crowd.
I’m not into showtunes. I’m not very artsy. I don’t like to shimmy and gyrate to techno music. I may get a little crazy for the Pride Parade but who doesn’t? Heck, if you find me anywhere on Halsted Street it’s likely to be at the Circle K gas station since they sell any size fountain pop for 69 cents. Even after living here for 5 years and having quite a few friends who party in the ‘hood or work for organizations affiliated with the community I still manage to let my insecurities get to me and don’t experience everything the wonderful Lakeview neighborhood and Boystown strip has to offer. Sad.
This past Sunday I was «dragged» out to an Oscar Party held at the Center on Halsted. To be honest, I didn’t want to go. I had a long week of work/​school, I wanted to watch the Oscars at home, I didn’t feel like drinking on Sunday night, and, well, I was hungover. However, since the SO’s company was a sponsor I got the hook up, and we were able to squeeze another friend in, too, so off we went.
Wow. This place is beautiful. High ceilings, huge windows, bright colors, clean as a whistle. Ample seating all over the lobby, free Wifi, and a Whole Foods next door if you want to grab a bite (if you can afford it!). There is plenty of space in here to hold an event, watch a show, or just hang out with some locals in the community. The party itself was a blast — lots of great looking people dolled up for the event; bartenders from the local club Circuit whipping up drinks; local restaurants serving up appetizers to the crowd; a theatre-​style viewing of the Oscars (where I had front row seats — score!) Thanks for putting on a great show! I’m really disappointed in myself that this is the first time I have ever been there.
Obviously impressed, I’ve done some more research on this place this week. They offer a ton of programs and services to members of the community, ranging from STD (or STI) testing, youth programs, anti-​violence progarms, mental health services, and so on. I’ve noticed that quite a bit of their services are free or low-​cost, and I am told many are based on a sliding scale depending on your income. I only wish I would have done my homework years ago and I’d probably be a little better off today.
Their website has quite a bit of information on it for anyone interested in getting involved or utilizing their services. Also, they have plenty of volunteer opportunities available to help out the community and to incite your personal growth as well. I wish I could speak for the programs directly, but since the work/​school schedule doesn’t permit much free time I am going to have to keep this in mind for the future. Volunteering is some of the best free therapy you can get!
If you’re questioning yourself or wrestling with an issue and don’t know who to talk to or where to go, this would be a great starting point. The Center is one of a kind and I only wish people from my generation and generations before had the opportunity to partake in their offerings earlier in life and realize that, while everyone may have differences and preferences, we are all still human and can coexist in peace. ALL are welcome. Open-​minded and no closed doors — that’s classy. Chicago is very fortunate to have a community place like this and it’s time for me to take a little bit more pride in myself and the community… and become a bit more FABULOUS (in the manliest way possible)!

****THIS REVIEW IS ONLY FOR VOLUNTEERING****
1 star, because it was that bad of an experience!
I volunteered a few times for The Center on Halsted, and had the worst experience of my life!
The staff members were barely even helping out. Instead, they were partying and flirting with the people coming towards The Center on Halsted booths. They basically left us to figure everything out ourselves.
I had a drink thrown at me once because I asked them for a moment to discuss about The Center, and the head staff member laughed at me and proceeded to drink, without once offering help.
I felt like I was babysitting, more than volunteering.
As long as they have those staff members, I will NEVER volunteer for them again!!!
Aside from that, the building is beautiful and The Center really does help the LGBT community in Boystown.

Wir Kinder vom Center on Halsted Zoo.
Damn Adriane ist das schönste Mädchen in der tierisch verrückte bauernhof.
Viele Teenagers und kämpft. Sie hat Lust für Whole Foods.
Christiane F

I stepped inside for the first time since living in this neighborhood for the past year and two months. My friends were shocked. They asked me, «What kind of lesbian are you?!?» Uh… I don’t know! I’ve just always passed by it going to Wholefoods, going home from the Addison Red line, going to Circuit, going to Kit Kat Lounge, etc… I don’t know! I was always peeking at the people enjoying their takeouts from Wholefoods while they surf the Internet using the free WiFi (But I didn’t know it was free until yesterday!).
Upstairs, they have a Cyber Center aka computer room. You can take classes there on Word and Excel and other programs. Or, you can just use the Internet there… Not everyone has a portable laptop, I know.
I was there for an art gallery showing yesterday. What a perfect space for this! I was impressed. They rent out spaces for things like this.
I took a little booklet with me as I left the place. Inside it tells me that they have programmings for the bisexual community, LGBT families, recreational programs (basketball, volleyball, yoga, pilates, self-​defense, and ballroom dancing!), programs for the trans community, and for women. Wow! They also provide HIV testing and services, legal and referral services, mental health services, etc. Crazy! I didn’t know all this.
Now I know I definitely failed as a LGBT rights advocate. I can’t believe I’ve never stepped inside here. Check it out!

If ever there were
a gem to be found,
Center on Halsted’s
got sparkles abound.
Seriously, WOW. I live mere blocks from this place, I’ve admired it from across the street (Brown Elephant), I’ve peeked my head in (through Whole Foods), but I’ve never experienced the magnitude of what COH offers…
First off, it’s BRAND spankin’ new, just opened a little while ago. It’s shiny, beautiful, clean. The first floor offers seating for those wishing to relax, enjoy their Whole Paycheck (errrrrr) Foods booty, indulge in FREE WIFI (yes, free), or just chit chat with neighbors.
I happened to be on the third floor for Windy City Comicon, in the large basketball court area. They rent this space out for events just like this one. I have a feeling it could be transformed into something quite beautiful, but then again… I dig bball, and the gym is very nicely done, with lots of natural light from above. Well done!
I also noticed there is a theater, lots of conference rooms. Youth programming, classes, etc. Just a wealth of information, knowledge and acceptance all housed under one roof. I dig it.
And yes, this Center was built to support programs for the LGBTQ community, but is certainly open to all. Isn’t that how it should be? Yeah, I think so. Check it out.