Hudson County Community College to Present the College’s 2018 Heritage Award to Hudson Pride Center
April 20, 2018
The organization is first non-profit organization to be honored with the award.
April 20, 2018 / Jersey City, NJ – Hudson County Community College (HCCC) will recognize Hudson Pride Center with the College’s 2018 Heritage Award. This is the first time a non-profit, community-based organization has been presented with the Hudson County Community College Heritage Award.
The presentation will take place as part of the College’s 41st Annual Commencement Ceremonies on Thursday, May 17 beginning at 6 p.m. at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. The multitalented actor Christopher Jackson, who originated the role of George Washington in the Broadway blockbuster “Hamilton,” will be the keynote speaker at the event.
A pillar of Hudson County’s LGBTQ community since 1993, Hudson Pride Center provides leadership in social justice advocacy and a lifeline for marginalized groups. Located at 32 Jones Street in the Journal Square area of Jersey City, Hudson Pride Center is the largest and only full-service LGBTQ center in New Jersey. The organization provides a home, an array of resources, a safe space, and voice for the LBGTQ community. Its allies and volunteers advocate for physical, mental, social and political well-being of the LGBTQ community in Hudson County.
Hudson Pride Center is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and the communities it serves through its commitment to social and economic justice. Providing professional training and education, the organization effects changes in attitudes and behaviors among all who work with the LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS communities. Hudson Pride Center assists governmental entities in conducting needs assessments to identify unintentional, yet pervasive gaps in care and community marginalization. Mobilizing its volunteer and client base in response to calls for action on social issues affecting the LBGTQ community, the organization advocates for rights, non-discrimination legislation, and HIV funding.
The wide array of services, programs and services provided by Hudson Pride Center at no cost to clients include social and educational groups for youth and seniors, support groups for individuals, links to health HIV education and treatment services, PrEP counseling, LGBTQ-focused community programming and events, mentoring, career development, and more.
The HCCC Heritage Award was instituted 25 years ago to honor community members who have made significant contributions to the College, its students, and families. Past recipients include: Hudson County Executive Thomas A. DeGise; President of Lindenfelser Associates, Aerospace Consultants and former Kearny Mayor and Councilperson Kenneth H. Lindenfelser; SILVERMAN principal Paul Silverman; former HCCC Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Abegail Douglas-Johnson; Union City science teacher Nadia Makar; Pastor and Overseer of Mt. Sinai Full Baptist Church Mother Jacqueline Mays; United Way of Hudson County President Daniel Altilio; Hudson County business leader Raju Patel; retired Jersey Journal publisher Scott Ring; former New Jersey City University President Dr. Carlos Hernandez; Director of District Redesign & Leadership at the Annenberg Institute for School Reform/Brown University Marla Ucelli; and last year, Joseph D. Sansone, the now retired HCCC Vice President for Development and Assistant to the President.