At HumanKIND Initiative, 2025 has been a busy year of serving, celebrating, and planning for the future. We have helped more people in one way or another in the past 5 months than we could have ever imagined, and the momentum is building. #GivingTuesday /1

Our 2nd Annual Pride Prom is Saturday, February 21st, and we are taking it back to the 80s! We are decking out The Center, and now's your chance to attend the Prom as your true self (if your school missed out on the fantastic opportunity of meeting the real YOU). www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticket...

Don't be the only one without ticket to Santa's Slay this New Year's Eve! We have people buying these as gifts, but, more importantly, for themselves (don't forget to treat yourself this Holiday season). Go to www.zeffy.com/.../santas-s... and buy yours today.

Ring in the New Year's with HumanKIND! Game tournaments, karaoke, food, and laughs--the best way to start a new year. Add a welcoming atmosphere where you can be yourself and this is THE best spot to be to welcome 2026. We may even have a surprise or 2 that night....see you then!

Have you signed up for our newsletter? The HumanKIND Initiative delivers a monthly Cup O' Kindness directly to your inbox. It's a great way to keep up to date on what we're doing and how you can get involved. Sign up here: www.humankindinitiative.org

Today the HumanKIND Initiative celebrates the legacy of Sylvia Rivera (1951-2002). As a trans Latina who spent much of her life homeless, Rivera was particularly sensitive to the struggles of trans people of color and those living in poverty. /1

There's still time to reserve your canvas at Paint with Spirits! BYOB or purchase non-alcoholic drinks and a variety of great snacks from our concessions stand...including delicious Pine Hills pizza. /1

Join HumanKIND Initiative at our *free* Halloween Spooktacular on Saturday, October 25. Bring the kids, grandparents, siblings, your neighbors: this event has something for everyone. Including an outdoor screening of the classic film Hocus Pocus at dusk! /1

Today the HumanKIND Initiative celebrates the legacy of Henry Gerber (1892-1972), founder of the first documented gay rights organization in America: the Society for Human Rights. /1

Being a tween can be hard--you're not a kid, you're not a teen, and you're trying to figure out who you are and where you fit into the world. Finding the right book can be a huge help! The books here are just a few of the great middle grade titles that feature LGBTQ+ characters or themes. /1

Many of the titles on today's feature are probably familiar--they're among the most frequently banned books in recent years. Strong LGBTQ+ voices are more important than ever, and reading LGBTQ+ memoirs and nonfiction is a great way to become a more compassionate, kind person. /1

Be ready to slay the bloodthirsty competition at trivia! It's all Buffy at The Center this Thursday, October 9, from 6-8 pm. Get tickets early at www.zeffy.com/ticketing/trivia-thursday or message us to know you'll pay in cash at the door. No I'm not sorry for the puns. /1

Romance books can be warm and cozy, sizzling and spicy, and everything in between. And they can come in nearly any genre, from historical to fantasy to comedy. LGBTQ+ romance books are no different! Check out one of the following titles to make your heart (and maybe other parts) sing. /1

Our Banned Books Week celebration of LBGTQ+ books continues with a look at children's books. You're never too young to see your family represented in a picture book, and know that you belong and are loved. /1

Today we recognize the 2025 Stonewall Award winners. The Stonewall Book Awards, sponsored by the American Library Association's Rainbow Round Table, is the first and most enduring award for LGBTQ+ books.

Books are a critical vehicle for LGBTQ+ creative expression, and LGBTQ+ representation on library shelves is vital to creating a world where are people are treated with respect and kindness.

Want to stay on top of everything going on with HumanKIND Initiative and The Center? Sign up for our monthly e-Newsletter! Go to www.humankindinitiative.org and fill out the newsletter request on the main page! Simple as that. New issue drops October 1, full of news and events. Don't miss a minute!

Thursday Trivia in October kicks off with everyone's favorite vampire slayer. Want to prove your Buffy Megafan credentials and win some cold hard cash while fundraising? Register ahead at Www.zeffy.com/ticketing/trivia-thursday OR send us a message to RSVP and pay in cash when you arrive!

Calling all fiber artisans & crafters! Starting Sunday, October 5, you can join your fellow enthusiasts the new Fiber Arts Craft & Chat group. Bring your current project to The Center anytime between 10 am and 1 pm for cozy crafting and conversation in a safe, welcoming environment.

Spooky Season is upon us! It's time for HumanKIND Initiative's first Paint & Sip...er...we mean Paint with Spirits! Join us on October 18th from 6-8pm at The Center as we all transform thrift shop paintings into spooky renderings. Get your tickets at www.zeffy.com/ticketing/paint-with-spirits

If you love Halloween as much as we do, you'll want to SAVE THE DATE for the HumanKIND Halloween Spooktacular on Saturday, October 25. It's going to be a ghoulishly good time.

Trivia is tonight! DID YOU KNOW that all those factoids cluttering up your brain can be a powerful force for real change in the world? It's true! Read the thread to find out WHY, then register your team at www.zeffy.com/ticketing/trivia-thursday

Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love trivia tomorrow! You're only a day awayyyy Preregister your team at www.zeffy.com/ticketing/trivia-thursday

Throw on your leg warmers and put The Spice Girls on stereo, because Trivia is going back in time to the 80s & 90s. Sign your team up ahead of time at www.zeffy.com/ticketing/trivia-thursday or pay when you get there. The concession stand will be open--including Pine Hills pizza! It'll be boss.

Doctor's orders! 🔴Rainbow Quills Writing Group 🟠Thursday, August 21 🟡 7 pm 🟢The Center 🔵1660 N. 2501st Rd, Ottawa, IL 🟣All writers welcome! Hosted by local self-published author L. A. Guettler.

Tonight is our very first group meeting, and will be for those in the trans community. Please come by if you want to talk, or listen, in a safe environment.

UPDATED CALENDAR! This week we've got two new programs--D&D on Monday and Trans Support Group on Wednesday--and the return of PrideFit. And you're always* welcome to swing by to hang out, do a puzzle, enjoy the giant orange beanbag... *except Wednesdays to protect privacy for support groups.

It's FRIDAY! Lots of pressure to make it "great," amirite? But at The Center, you can just be. We've got board games, video games, air hockey, books, movies, a giant beanbag, and best of all--KINDNESS. Drop in tonight between 5 and 11 pm and see for yourself. 1660 N. 2501st Rd, Ottawa IL

Lots of August activities! We have board games, video games, air hockey, movies, puzzles...Come and hang out! (Group only on Wednesdays to protect privacy) Hours: 🔴 Mon 5-9 pm 🟠 Tue 5-9 pm 🟡 Wed (group only) 🟢 Thu 5-9 pm 🔵 Fri 5-11 pm 🟣 Sat 9am-11pm 🟤 Sun 9am-8pm Www.humankindinitiative.org

Did someone say BOWLING? The fall season of the LaSalle County Pride Bowling League starts September 19. 🔴7 pm 🟠every Friday for 12 weeks 🟡The Alley, 1758 Ottawa Ave, Ottawa 🟢ages 18+ 🔵$20/person/week 🟣Non-professional, pro-fun Register here: forms.gle/qkzdPwwrFdBw...

Attn nerds of the IL River Valley: save your Monday nights for D&D at The Center in Ottawa 🔴begins Monday, August 4 🟠6 pm - ? 🟡1660 N 2501st Rd., Ottawa, IL 🟢ages 18+ 🔵starting Level 1, new players welcome 🟣refreshments will be available for purchase (benefitting HKI/The Center)

Ottawa Family Pride Fest Saturday, June 13, 2026 Year 5 Bigger. Better. More fabulous. Vendor spots are already filling up, so what are you waiting for? EARLY BIRD VENDOR FEE before September 1st: $100 September 1st-May 20th: $125 SPACE WILL FILL UP QUICKLY. Apply at forms.gle/UcNZgknVANiM...

Veterans Support Group Wed, Aug 13 6-8 pm William E. Heisler Center for Kindness 1660 N 2501st Rd. Ottawa IL If you are a veteran who identifies as LGBTQIA+, and you would like to meet up with a group of your peers once a month, we hope you'll join us.

Win TWO personal training sessions! Stephanie's expertise is stellar, and she creates an approachable, down-to-earth setting for all skill levels. This is a GREAT raffle opportunity for self care, and it is valued at $80! Buy your raffle tickets at www.zeffy.com/ticketing/personal-trainer-raffle

Trans Support Group Wed, Aug 6 6-8 pm William E. Heisler Center for Kindness 1660 N 2501st Rd. Ottawa IL Age 18+ If you identify as trans, nonbinary, or anything else under the transgender umbrella, and you would like to meet up with a group of your peers once a month, we hope you'll join us.

Let's kick off (get it?) August at the Center with some cardio kickboxing! 🔴Saturday, August 2 🟠9-10 am 🟡1660 N 2501st Rd., Ottawa, IL 🟢all ages 🔵$10/person (class size limited to 15) 🟣all fitness levels--no experience necessary Click the link to sign up! www.zeffy.com/ticketing/pr...

Are you ready to kick off programming at the William E. Heisler Center for Kindness? It starts with Trivia Thursdays! 🔴July 31st 🟠6-8 pm 🟡1660 N 2501st Rd., Ottawa, IL 🟢ages 18+ 🔵$10/person 🟣up to 10 ppl/team Click the link to sign up! www.zeffy.com/ticketing/tr...

The guests are essential to the success of any event, especially fundraising. But we could not have made any of this happen without the hard work and generosity of numerous people. This is a big post, so grab a snack and settle in!! 🧵/1

The Board of the HumanKIND Initiative would like to thank everyone that made the Night For HumanKIND a success this past Saturday. First post is for all of our guests, you made the night magical, and helped us raise over $30,000!!! 🧵/1

So proud and grateful (and lucky) to live in @govpritzker.illinois.gov 's Illinois. www.readtpa.com/p/watch-illi...

Every day brings new executive orders, bills, laws, and court decisions that threaten the rights, liberties, and very lives of LGBTQIA+ folks. If only a hero would save us! Guess what? THERE IS NO HERO. 🧵/1

Look around. This is it: time to prove you're more than words on a screen. The HumanKIND Initiative has the chance to build an LGBTQIA+ community center that will offer hope, foster joy, and frankly save lives. Be the hero. Donate today at www.zeffy.com/fundraising/donate-to-humankind/

A Night for HumanKIND 2025 will include MUSIC, FOOD, QUEENS, and LIVE auction! Bid on Bears tickets and trips to: 🎶 CMA Fest 2025 🍀 Ireland Adventure 🌈 Gay Key West 🍝 Tuscany Culinary Escape 🥃 Kentucky Bourbon Trail 🛶 Venice & Verona Get tickets (or donate) at www.givebutter.com/pridecenter/

Joy is contagious.

Sharing with alt text because advocacy and accessibility go hand in hand.

The newest shirt design is up and ready to go! Get yours now, along with all of our other designs, at www.ssshirtsnmore.com/products/hum... (if you buy anything before Midnight on Valentine's Day, 50% of the proceeds go to the Fund!)

Update from Governor Pritzker's office. A new Bill will go into effect March 1st that will take away the requirement of the newspaper publication for announcing your name change. This is such an important step toward safety! 💜

So much hate. You know how we win? By opening the first LGBT Community Center in Ottawa, IL. A building where we will have programs, resources, activities, art, theater, and more, for all ages. If you want to attend the fundraiser, go to www.givebutter.com/pridecenter and get your tickets now!

Saturday, February 8th, 11am-2pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottawa (717 Chambers St). We will have folks on hand with resources and information to answer your questions, plus forms for you if you need help filling items out. Email Dylan at [email protected] with any questions.

ATTENTION: we have confirmed with the SSA that gender marker changes will no longer be available in social security files. Please visit Www.humankindinitiative.org for updates on legal updates and what you can still update in Illinois 🏳️‍🌈 If you need us, please reach out. PLEASE Call 988 if in crisis