Ruth Ellis Center welcomes a new executive director

A decade ago, Mark Erwin walked through the door of the Ruth Ellis Center. It was just for a tour — he had gotten back in town and wanted to see what the LGBTQ+ nonprofit was doing for queer youth in Highland Park in Detroit. He knew he wanted to be involved, but he wasn’t sure how yet.

Now, this year, Erwin has become the executive director of the Ruth Ellis Center as it charges into the future with new programs and new facilities. He stopped by CultureShift to share some stories and discuss his vision for the center as he steps into this new role.

“Through the years, the community has begun to really engage with the work of the center and realize that it’s a gem for not just the city of Detroit, but for the state of Michigan. It sets an example nationwide on how we can address the needs of LGBTQ young people experiencing homelessness and other barriers to care.” — Mark Erwin, Executive Director of the Ruth Ellis Center

Related: Ruth Ellis Center will open a brand-new mixed use community development on Detroit’s northwest side