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