By Dawn Wolfe Gutterman
ANN ARBOR – The Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project has announced plans to move into new office space April 1, allowing the resource center for Washtenaw County's LGBT residents to improve the range and quality of its services.
"This is an exciting move for WRAP," said WRAP President Jeremy Merklinger. "We've been working hard to increase our services and reach more members of the community. This move will help us do that."
WRAP, currently located on Braun Court across from the /aut/ bar, will be moving across the courtyard to 319 Braun Court next to Common Language bookstore. The new facility offers more space and an improved layout, allowing for multiple meetings or events to be held simultaneously.
Merklinger said that the move was made possible by two factors: increased fundraising success and the generosity of Keith Orr and Martin Contreras, owners of the /aut/Bar and Common Language bookstore, who also own WRAP's current and new locations in Braun Court.
"We wanted to do a building project in the building we were in, and the project would have made the building we were in look exactly like the building we're moving to," Merklinger said.
Merklinger said that WRAP has hosted from 11-15 groups on a regular basis at the current location, "but that's going to grow now that we can accommodate more than one group at a time."
WRAP will hold an open house in its new home April 29 from 3-7 p.m. Members of the various groups that meet at WRAP will be on hand to answer questions and provide tours. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
"We're looking forward to showing off our new home to the community," Merklinger said. "This is a great time for people who have been curious about WRAP to drop by and see what we're about, or for old friends of our organization to reconnect with us. We welcome the LGBT community and our straight allies to join us as we enter a new and exciting era at WRAP."
For more information call 734-995-9867 or visit http://www.wrap-up.org. Online donations are accepted as well.
