Ruth Ellis Center
The Ruth Ellis Center is a social services agency in the Detroit area that serves the needs of runaway, homeless and at-risk lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. REC is named in honor of the life and work of Ruth Ellis, who was an African-American lesbian from Detroit known for her service to people in need.
Programs
The Ruth Ellis Center operates five main programs: Youth Programs, Supportive Housing, Integrated Health Services, Community-Based Family Support Services, and the Ruth Ellis Institute.History
A group of community activists including John Allen, Kofi Adoma, and Courtney Wilson - founded the Ruth Ellis Center in 1999, the same year Ruth Ellis celebrated her 100th birthday. In September 2000, the then-101-year-old Ellis attended the grand opening of the center's first phase, a drop-in center for at-risk youth.Wanda Sykes has been an outspoken supporter of the organization after the staff sent her a letter asking her to visit during her 2010 tour's stop in Detroit.
In January 2022, it opened the Ruth Ellis Clairmount Center, a center for LGBT people aged 13 to 30, including housing and educational facilities. It cost approximately $15 million.