The Phoenix Center was founded on April 1, 2001 by a group of LGBT teens wanting to create a safe place to meet. For a while they met in a garage and later met at a church. It was then that the 501-c-3 was formed. Eventually they moved to a building at Laurel & 2nd St. and in 2005 bought their current home at 109 E. Lawrence Ave. Since that move, services and groups have expanded extensively.The mission of the Phoenix Center is to support Central Illinois’ LGBT Community with programming for promoting equality, health & well being, and social and educational growth.