(Photo from The Center Orlando’s Facebook page)
Beginning June 1, the Orlando United Assistance Center will be renamed to the Orlando United Resiliency Services and will expand its services in order to provide more assistance to Orlando’s LGBTQ community.
OUAC was initially formed following the June 12, 2016 Pulse tragedy, as a collaboration between The City of Orlando, Orange County Government, Osceola County Government and The Heart of Florida United Way. As OUAC adopts its new name of OURS, services such as counseling and mental health support will be expanding.
“OUAC’s doors first opened to support those affected by the tragic loss of 49 souls – as well as the hundreds of people injured or psychologically wounded by the Pulse shootings. That mission continues and is expanding,” Dr. George Wallace, CEO of The Center, said in a press release. “We know the counseling, support, and connections we offer our Pulse clients are needed just as desperately by many others in the Central Florida community. Others in the community, including the wider LGBTQ+ community, anyone who has experienced violence and other traumatic events, and those who struggle with physical, emotional, and mental health problems can now be served under the OURS program.”
OURS will focus on promoting the LGBTQ community through educational tools, advocacy and support. The program will be led by Jesse Arias, alongside several case managers and therapists on staff ready to assist OURS clients.
“No matter who you are, if you’re struggling with any kind of trauma – come to OURS. If you’re struggling, and especially if you are suffering because of trauma, OURS offers support and resources to help you through this journey to healing,” Arias said in the release.
OURS is relocating from The Center’s Health and Human Services building and will provide its services Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at The Center’s main location at 946 N. Mills Ave.
