History
Diverse & Resilient was founded in 1995 as a program to build the capacity of LGBTQ groups in Wisconsin.
We engage in advocacy and provide both capacity-building and direct-service work to address the health disparities experienced by LGBTQ people in Wisconsin.
Our work is focused on: Anti-Violence, Cultivating Leaders, Sexual Health, and Substance Use.
Timeline
1995
- Diverse & Resilient (D&R) launches as a program of Sinai Samaritan.
1996
- D&R hosts its first one-day conference on the needs of LGBT youth.
1997
- The LGBT Youth Conference is expanded to a two-day statewide conference.
1999
- The LGBT Youth Development Leadership Advisory Council is formed to guide youth leadership efforts.
2000
- The Rainbow Alliance for Youth (RAY) is launched to create and support LGBT youth groups across the state.
2001
- D&R begins training Youth Development Specialists across the state.
2002
- D&R incorporates as its own nonprofit agency.
- D&R moves to the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center on West Court Street.
2003
- D&R holds its first LGBT Health Leadership Forum in Oconomowoc.
2004
- The University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health awards D&R the Healthiest Wisconsin Grant.
2005
- D&R launches the Safe Schools, Safe Communities conference with partner GSAFE.
- D&R moves to an office on Brady Street on Milwaukee’s East Side.
2006
- D&R team is selected for the Public Health Leadership Institute.
- D&R successfully advocates the Department of Public Instruction to measure health outcomes for LGBT youth.
2007
- D&R begins direct-service work to address the HIV epidemic among African American gay and bisexual young men.
2008
- Youth health efforts are expanded with programs addressing alcohol and tobacco use by teens.
- D&R moves to its current office on Holton Street in Milwaukee.
2009
- D&R receives federal support for its programs through Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin and Representative Mark Pocan.
2010
- The Milwaukee Health Department announces partnership with D&R to address rising rates of HIV among young African American men.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) award D&R $1.6M for HIV prevention among young African American men.
2011
- The Acceptance Journeys program launches to foster acceptance of LGBT people by straight family members and friends.
2012
- More HIV services are brought in-house, including: HIV counseling, testing, and referral; and two nationally-developed, community-based HIV prevention programs.
2013
- Youth space is added to provide space for program participants to organize events.
- Our HIV testing efforts grow by 45% to serve over 900 people.
- New programs are launched, including: Imagine More, 414ALL, Healthy Girls, and Safe Dates.
- We host the first Reviving the Dream celebration to honor the memory of Civil Rights leader Bayard Rustin.
- D&R joins United Way as a partner agency.
2014
- D&R prepares for the departure of founding President & CEO Gary Hollander in the coming year.
2015
- Founding President & CEO Gary Hollander departs the agency.
- D&R welcomes new President & CEO Gerry Coon.
2016
- D&R adds an additional HIV / STI testing site at the City of Milwaukee’s Northwest Health Center on 76th Street and Mill Road.
- D&R creates a statewide resource, Room to Be Safe, for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV).
- D&R secures a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant focusing on HIV and hepatitis prevention among young men of color who have sex with men.
- D&R assists in the production of Our Trans Family photo exhibit through D&R’s Artist in Residence program.
2017
- D&R partners with Holton Street Clinic to provide STI treatment services at D&R.
- D&R co-produces the Milwaukee Rally for Unity and Pride to coincide with the National LGBTQ March on Washington D.C.
- D&R develops IPV prevention strategies and programming focused on LGBTQ youth in living in Appleton, Madison, and Milwaukee.
- D&R partners with advertising agency Cramer-Krasselt to launch a new brand of condoms, Naughty Bags, for teens.
- D&R partners with the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW) to open a PrEP clinic at D&R.
2018
- D&R secured Office of Adolescent Health (OAH) funding to expand teen pregnancy prevention and teen STI prevention services. This funded the Rubber Rover during the summer of 2018.
- D&R created the Colors in Bloom LGBTQ youth self love and resiliency campaign including billboards, bus ads, and a music video with Lex Allen.
- D&R was awarded 88Nine Radio Milwaukee’s Humanitarian Award.
- D&R secured Ryan White funding to support our HIV testing work.
- D&R was selected as the PrideFest Plus One campaign beneficiary.
2019
- D&R started the Keep It Up research project with the Institute of Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing at Northwestern University.
- D&R secured Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) 5-year grant for statewide AVP work.
- D&R opened a new office in Appleton.
- D&R was awarded 18-month DHS contract to conduct a trans needs assessment.
- D&R was awarded Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program grant to develop a Peer Navigator program for people living with HIV who are not currently in care.
2020
- Participated in social justice marches/action following the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police.
- Successfully navigated the COVID Pandemic while still maintaining D&R services, including in-person HIV and STI testing.
- Awarded the Nonprofit Organization of the Year award from the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
- Awarded the Progress in Youth Activism award from the Shepherd Express LGBTQ Progress Awards.
2021
- Started Room to be You(th) meeting space for LGBTQ youth in the Fox Valley
- Received COVID related Mental Health grant to support the unique needs of LGBTQ people
- Conducted a DHS funded statewide HIV Needs Assessment
- Received a three year grant from the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region to support LGBTQ outreach in NE WI.
2022
- Received a DHS funded Trans Health Equity Program grant allowing for the hire of a full time Trans Advocate
- Received a Ryan White funded grant expansion of the Peer Navigator Program to support Black Trans and Black cis women living with HIV
- Received a City of Milwaukee Anti-Violence Program grant to provide safe summer spaces for LGBTQ teens in Milwaukee
- Received funding from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation to support Small Town Pride events throughout Wisconsin
- Christopher Allen became the third President/CEO in D&R history, and first Black President/CEO in December 2022
2023
- Received a three year grant from United Way’s Racial Equity Fund to expand programming for Black Trans individuals in Milwaukee
- Received funding from the WI DHS’s Mike Johnson Early Intervention and Life Care Services fund to expand the Peer Navigator Program to support LGBTQ people living with HIV in the Fox Valley region.
- Received funding from the Waukesha County Community Foundation to support LGBTQ 101 training in Waukesha County
- Received funding from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Eldon Murray Fund to support expansion of services for BIPOC Trans individuals in Milwaukee