December 6, 2023 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

L.A. LGBT Center’s New Campus for “Most Vulnerable People” in Community

Just in time for its 50th anniversary, the Los Angeles LGBT Center celebrated the grand opening on Sunday of the highly anticipated two-acre Anita May Rosenstein Campus, an unprecedented complex designed to serve the most vulnerable people of the LGBT community: seniors and youth. To commemorate the momentous day, the Center hosted a free six-hour block party in front of the Campus, to which the public was invited, with a ceremonial ribbon cutting, guided tours of the state-of-the-art facility, and musical performances.

“We are immensely proud that the Anita May Rosenstein Campus allows us to greatly expand our services, especially to LGBT seniors and youth,” said Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Lorri L. Jean. “The Campus is proof that a committed group of people who have the audacity to dream big and work hard are capable of creating something the world has never seen, something that now stands as a testament to the fact that we will not turn back in our march toward full equality and humanity.”

The grand opening of the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Anita May Rosenstein Campus on April 07, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Los Angeles LGBT Center )


With 100 beds for homeless youth, a new Senior Community Center, Youth Drop-In Center and The Ariadne Getty Foundation Youth Academy, as well as expanded programming, administrative space and more, the Campus will also serve as the Center’s flagship facility. Its current headquarters (located at the four-story McDonald/Wright Building) will be transformed entirely into a health center. Phase II of the Campus—scheduled to open in mid-2020—will include 99 units of affordable housing for seniors and 25 supportive housing apartments for youth.

Envisioned by Center leaders more than a decade ago, the sprawling 180,000-square-foot Campus was brought to fruition by more than 350 capital campaign donors and a record-breaking 15 seven-figure gifts. Lead donor Anita May Rosenstein’s gift of $8 million—through the Anita May Rosenstein Foundation, Wilbur D. May Foundation, and the Anita and Arnold Rosenstein Family Foundation—is the largest gift by a living donor to an LGBT organization.

“Let’s be clear: this is not my Campus, it’s our Campus,” said lead donor Anita May Rosenstein. “Our Campus is a beacon of hope and inspiration for people around the world. It is a safe haven for youth experiencing homelessness, and it will become a unique experience for youth and seniors to live together and learn from each other.”

David Bailey, co-chair of the Center’s Board of Directors and Capital Campaign Chair, said donors supported the Center because the organization has a history of success. 

The grand opening of the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Anita May Rosenstein Campus on April 07, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Los Angeles LGBT Center )

“We know how to manage our dollars, and we know how to deliver vital services to our community,” Bailey said. “This entire project has been so inspiring. Eleven years ago, we dreamed of a large, intergenerational campus. And, now, the Anita May Rosenstein Campus will truly help make a life-changing difference for the youth and seniors who turn to the Center every day for help.”

Total costs for the Campus exceed $141 million. Of that amount, more than $57 million has been raised through gifts from generous individual and foundation donors, and another $9.5 million in New Market Tax Credits. The affordable housing costs ($63 million) are covered by government and other funding streams. After combining the generous gifts of the capital campaign donors with a contribution from the Center’s strategic reserve fund (approved by the Center’s Board of Directors), the Campus will be mortgage-free once everyone pays their pledges.

The grand opening of the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Anita May Rosenstein Campus on April 07, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Los Angeles LGBT Center )

Design Architects were Leong Leong and Killefer Flammang Architects (KFA). Executive Architects were KFA. Swinerton Builders were the contractor. 

“The Center’s leaders gave KFA and Leong Leong a clear vision: that the design of the new Anita May Rosenstein Campus must reflect the boldness, optimism, and absolute certainty of the Center’s mission to care for, champion, and celebrate LGBT individuals and families,” said KFA Partner Barbara Flammang, AIA. “KFA is immensely proud to have participated in the creation of this historic new campus. We hope that the design and formal expression of these buildings and open, landscaped spaces contribute to the flourishing of the people who live in, work at, and visit this wonderful place.”

“The Anita May Rosenstein Campus is a new type of social infrastructure for the LGBTQ community that synthesizes social services and affordable housing into a porous urban campus,” added Dominic Leong of Leong Leong. “The architecture proactively interfaces with the city, while serving as a sanctuary for diversity. A series of internal courtyards create spaces of refuge within, while a new public plaza invites the community and the city to connect. The architecture is a mosaic of identities and programs rather than a singular iconic gesture.”

The grand opening of the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Anita May Rosenstein Campus on April 07, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Los Angeles LGBT Center )
Related Posts

Los Angeles Payroll Report Shows That Significant Numbers of City Employees Aren’t Local

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

City Controller Mejia’s Report Calls Attention to City Workers Place of Residence By Dolores Quintana In the realm of payroll,...

Protest Erupts in Los Angeles Over City’s Approval of Rent Hike Approval

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

Residents and Advocacy Groups Unite Against City Council’s Decision By Dolores Quintana In Los Angeles, residents took to the streets...

Billie Eilish Sarcastically Responds to Unexpected Outing at Variety Awards

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

Hitmakers Awards Ceremony Interview Aftermath Prompts IG Response By Dolores Quintana In a recent interview with the entertainment industry trade...

AIDS Healthcare Foundation Accuses California Apartment Association of Antisemitism

December 3, 2023

December 3, 2023

Tensions Rise as AHF Calls Out Alleged Antisemitic Language, Unconventional Tactics By Dolores Quintana Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a...

Los Angeles City Council Approves Police Permits for Airbnb Hosts and Short-Term Rentals

December 3, 2023

December 3, 2023

New Law Targets Party Houses and Crime, Introduces Permitting Requirement The Los Angeles City Council has given the green light...

Suspect in Custody: Los Angeles Man Linked to Serial Homeless Murders and San Dimas Slaying

December 3, 2023

December 3, 2023

Authorities Seek Information on Additional Crimes Suspect May Have Committed By Dolores Quintana On December 1, a press conference was...

(Video) Culver City’s Annual Tree Lighting Sled-tacular

December 1, 2023

December 1, 2023

Culver City’s Annual Tree Lighting Sled-tacular successfully brought the holiday spirit to the city’s residents. A large crowd happily sledded,...

Ladytron’s Surprise Gift: ‘All Over By Xmas’ Drops, Unveiling a Festive Classic Decades in the Making

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Liverpool’s Electronic Pioneers Deliver a “Majestic Glam Stomp” for the Holidays By Dolores Quintana At the stroke of midnight, Ladytron,...

Los Angeles County to Open CARE Court One Year Earlier Than Planned

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Program Seeks to Solve Mental Health Crisis Among the Unhoused By Dolores Quintana In a collaborative effort led by Los...

Alarming Surge in Hate Crimes: Los Angeles County’s Troubling Report Reveals Disturbing Statistics

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Report Reveals Alarming Trends and Urgent Need for Action By Dolores Quintana The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations...

Sutton Stracke To Host The Abbey’s 14th Annual Tree Lighting Celebration

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Commemorate World AIDS Day and Raise Funds To Help Those in Need By Dolores Quintana Decking the Halls with heartfelt...

(Video) Via Veneto, a classic Italian restaurant

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Via Veneto, a classic Italian restaurant with real ingredients and delicacies from Italy. You can tell that the restaurant is...

Esquire’s Culinary Picks: Unveiling the Best New Restaurants in Los Angeles for 2023

November 29, 2023

November 29, 2023

Esquire Magazine Spotlights Most Memorable New Eateries  Esquire Magazine has released its year-end lists of the best new restaurants in...

Westfield Century City Unveils Enchanting 25 Days of Christmas Festivities

November 29, 2023

November 29, 2023

A Winter Wonderland With Festive Delights at Westfield Century City By Dolores Quintana Even though it’s only the week after...

Silencing Classrooms: The Alarming Surge of Educational Gag Orders Across U.S. States

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023

PEN America’s Report Unveils Disturbing Trends in 2023 Legislation By Dolores Quintana Mostly conservative lawmakers all over the United States...