New Haven Pride Center suspends operations for 30 days

The New Haven Pride Center will close for 30 days starting Thursday, as leaders reassess the organization’s finances and its long-term business model.

Board members said the temporary shutdown will allow the nonprofit to stop accruing expenses and get better insight into a $250,000 IRS debt discovered in 2022 that has weighed heavily on the center’s operations.

According to board co-chair Hope Chavez, the debt was found four years ago. The board let the executive director go and began paying the back taxes. The payments have been ongoing, but Chavez said there’s no clarity on how much has been paid toward principal versus interest, making it hard to map out a payoff.

Chavez said the organization has an attorney to help obtain more details from the government, and that the debt has hurt its ability to generate income during an already challenging time.

“It all depends on the political climate — whether corporate sponsors feel like they can sponsor you, whether funders feel like they need to redirect elsewhere,” she said.

The 30-day furlough will include a pause in services. In the meantime, staff members are compiling a list of alternative LGBTQ-affirming resources in the Greater New Haven area to support community members.

Laura Boccadoro, who has worked at the center for more than six years, joined at what she says was a dark time.

“I was in and out of rehab dealing with drug abuse, and the center found me,” she said. “I grew up here, honestly.”

She said the organization has offered vital services, such as a clothing closet and a food pantry, and programs that she is helping clients find through partner organizations.

“There are so many LGBTQ-specific or affirming spaces that have food pantries, clothing closets, healthcare — all those kinds of things,” Boccadoro said.

Chavez highlighted partnerships with groups including AIDS Project New Haven, Anchor Health Initiative, and Q Plus, as well as other grassroots community organizations that will offer assistance during the pause.

Boccadoro emphasized that the staff’s focus remains on serving the community as effectively as possible.

“Our job at the end of the day is to impact the community in the best possible way that we can,” Boccadoro said.

The Board hopes a clearer financial picture and a restructured business model will position the center to reopen stronger and more stable.

“We want to ensure that our community has the care and supportive services that we’ve been providing,” Chavez said.