The Montrose Center
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
LIFE Counseling
The LIFE program offers individual, couple/family and group psychotherapy for a variety of behavioral conditions and life issues, including coming out, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, addiction, HIV, chronic illness, grief, lesbian and gay parenting issues, transgender (gender dysphoria), self-esteem, internalized homophobia, eating disorders, relationships, parenting, and so on. All counselors are licensed master-level therapists, many with specialized training and practice experience in one or more of the above areas. A strong client-therapist relationship is essential to therapeutic success. LGBT consumers often complain of having to educate their therapist about what it means to be lesbian/gay, bi or transgender, and they can always detect a therapist's discomfort with these issues. By being by, for and about the LGBT community, the Montrose Center eliminates these barriers. Grants and donations allow us to service those with no insurance and/or lack of resources.
SPRY (Seniors Preparing for Rainbow Years)
The SPRY (Seniors Preparing for Rainbow Years) program provides mental health services to older adults in need. Many LGBT persons may spend their entire lives out and proud, but as they grow older, begin to feel invisible and forced to go back into the closet. Even today, many members of society still treat the sexual orientation of LGBT persons as a passing phase, which will eventually be outgrown. The mentality that a person will “outgrow†their LGBT identity creates a sense of isolation and alienation for LGBT seniors. The program, which began in 2006, provides professional counseling and case management, peer support, outreach, education, advocacy and congregate meals for LGBT persons age 60 and older. The Center sustains SPRY services with a combination of local Area Agency on Aging funds and foundation grants to maintain and expand the program.
Way Out Recovery Program
The Way Out Recovery Program provides state-licensed Level III and Level IV outpatient drug and alcohol treatment, primarily to LGBT individuals as well as persons living with HIV/AIDS. It includes an eight-week intensive course with individual counseling, followed by extended relapse prevention and recovery support services. Successful recovery requires a strong support system and full disclosure about what triggers our addictions, which often linked to family issues, relationships and sexual behaviors. Many LGBT and HIV+ individuals have difficulty identifying trustworthy persons to include in their support network. Because we are by, for and about the LGBT and HIV communities, the WAY OUT Recovery Program succeeds in providing that initial support network, and in connecting recoverees with affirming support groups post-treatment.
Anti-Violence Program
The Anti-Violence Program offers individual, couple/family and group psychotherapy for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and bias/hate crimes, and trafficking. In 2001, the program was approved as a full-service rape crisis program. A 24-hour helpline, the LGBT Switchboard, serves as the system entry point. English- and Spanish-speaking advocates are available through the Switchboard to accompany crime survivors to the police to fill out a report and/or to the hospital for treatment. They can help someone access legal representation or file for crime victims’ compensation. The LGBT Switchboard provides information, nonjudgmental support, crisis intervention and referral services to Houston’s LGBT population. The Center also is classified as a non-residential center for domestic violence because hotels are used instead of a traditional shelter model.
Hatch Youth Program
Hatch Youth provides a safe, social environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning [LGBTQ] youth, offers role models and peer support, and sponsors educational and community outreach opportunities to empower LGBTQ youth to become positive contributors to society. Hatch Youth joined the Center in December, 2002. The in-school component works with LGBTQ teens in select Houston high schools to overcome isolation, depression and other negative effects of non-acceptance, harrassment and bullying. Professional individual and family therapy is offered to students with more severe problems.
Where we work
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Login and updateAccreditations
Texas Department of State Health Services 1995
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) - Behavioral Health Care Accreditation 2003
Awards
100 Best Communities for Young People 2010
America's Promise Alliance
Houston Pride Parade Organization Grand Marshal 2010
Pride Houston
Innovator Award 2013
Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services
Affiliations & memberships
Texas Council on Family Violence 2001
United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast 2001
Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council 2003
Houston/Harris County Coalition for the Homeless 2004
External reviews

Photos
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
To improve the behavioral health and health status of the LGBT community in Houston. To link the community together to enable healing from the bigotry of the recent equal right ordinance defeat and negative media messages against the community brought out in the election.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Community forum and discussions, behavioral health services, positive messages about the community in the mainstream press and cultural competency education for other providers and the general community about the LGBT community.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The Center has staff and volunteers who are skilled in these areas. Funding is being sought for the education component.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
The election is very recent. We have convened a debriefing meeting with all the organizations involved and initiated several media pieces on the community to correct the perception put out by the anti-amendment ads.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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The Montrose Center
Board of directorsas of 04/19/2017
Mr. Aaron Masterson, MBA
Joel Dietz, MS, SPHR
GC Services
Michael Kauth, PhD
Department of Veterans Affairs
Tara Kelly
JPMorgan Chase
Aaron Masterson, MBA
Gretchen Myers
KPMG
Chris Robertson
Duke Energy
Daryl Shorter, MD
Department of Veterans Affairs
Shannon Simpson
Daryl Sinkule
Kean Tonetti
Gary Wood
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes