Persad Center, Inc.

Persad Center has served people affected by HIV/AIDS since 1982, providing counseling for newly diagnosed and long-term survivors of HIV disease and those who care for them. Information and support to help manage the disease, support groups, education, prevention, and HIV testing are also available.

Persad Center provides a safe place for youth to deal with issues of sexual or gender identity and encouragement to make healthier choices. LGBT youth are at high risk for depression, suicide attempts, HIV exposure, substance abuse, and physical and verbal harrassment. Persad Center also supports parents of LGBT youth and same sex couples with children to help improve family relationships.

Persad Center provides professional training programs, as well as speakers, educational symposiums and internships. Persad provides training programs for schools, companies, healthcare and other human service organizations. Our programs assist companies in changing their culture and creating welcoming environments for customers and employees. In addition, our programs increase individual worker competency and skills in working with LGBT consumers.

Persad Center is Western Pennsylvania's SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders) affiliate program, providing culturally competent programs for seniors and senior- serving agencies. Persad's SAGE program provides information, assessment and referral services. The program also offers social/educational programs in the community and an in-home friendly visitor program.