Dear Center Community,
Spring has arrived, and while it’s important to celebrate, we also acknowledge the challenges we have been through. This week, we celebrate our LGBTQ seniors and acknowledge that our seniors have been affected disproportionately by COVID-19, including by the isolation that has been a relentless enemy during this pandemic.
Over the past two years, The Center has provided virtual services and emergency support with critical housing and rental relief, resources, and case management. Seniors at The Center formed an online community of friends with our virtual support groups, and The Center provided 33 computers to seniors, some who have never owned one, and even provided instructions on how to use them to join Zoom meetings so they could connect with other LGBTQ community members. We served our valued elders every month at two food banks, with walk-up and drive-up options, and delivered pantry-stable items. Seniors tell us that they come to our Food Banks because they know us, they trust us, and appreciate all of the COVID-19 safety measures we have in place to serve our community.
We also heard from family members, like the person who thanked us, saying “You have no idea how much this helps and makes me feel better… My dad got his first food box. He sent me a photo of all the yummy food and I am bringing him to the Senior Food Bank next month! Thank you!!” We also advocated at the City and County level to secure an additional $100 million in Emergency Rental Assistance in San Diego County and $5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for LGBTQ-affirming housing and support services.
The Center knows that our LGBTQ seniors paved the way for us, despite facing discrimination in housing, employment, and lack of legal and social recognition. Many of the rights we experience today were not afforded to those who came before us. In 2022 there are over 2.7 million LGBTQ community members over 50 living in the U.S. and 1/3 of LGBTQ elders live at or below the poverty line. These trailblazers have endured so much and we are heartened about legislation being passed that is focused on protecting them. Thanks to the Biden Administration, LGBTQ+ seniors now qualify for Social Security survivor benefits, after historically being denied them, and that “LGBTQ+ seniors may be eligible for up to double the amount of monthly Social Security income they previously received and a lump sum for years that they were denied survivor benefits due to discrimination against LGBTQ+ families.” Read more about what this change means and how LGBTQ+ seniors now qualify for Social Security survivor benefits.
The Center is dedicated to honoring and supporting our LGBTQ elders and we are delighted to let you know that, as part of our Phase 2 Reopening, our Senior Services 50+ & Better Together is starting up an in-person Senior Drop In on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. Join Elisa Barnett (Pronouns: She/They), our Senior Services Program Manager for casual connections, conversation, and a sandwich and a beverage on The Center’s front patio from 12:30-2pm. We still have many programs going on virtually including the Lesbian Café, Feeling Fit, and more - visit our website for more information! We look forward to providing even more in-person services soon! If you, or someone you know, would like more information on our senior programs, contact seniors@thecentersd.org or call 619.354.6887.
In Community,
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- Cara Dessert (Pronouns: She, Her, Hers)
Chief Executive Officer
PS: If you, or a senior you know, is looking for information and resources, visit The National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging
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The Center is closed for Cesar Chavez Day, March 31
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Please note that The Center will be closed this Thursday, March 31st, in observance of Cesar Chavez Day.
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The Center is thankful for the support of so many community members who give their time in coordinating fabulous fundraising events to support our programs and services.
We’re excited that one of those partners, Casa Loto, will be hosting The LGBTQ Masquerade, a fundraising event in support of The Center's youth programs on Saturday, April 23rd. Attendees will sashay through a metallic wonderland of gold and silver into a glitz-and-glam ballroom extravaganza at the new AWOL in Hillcrest. This cocktail-attire evening will feature an open bar provided by local distillery Cutwater Spirits, appetizers, music, dancing, and raffle prizes. Tickets and more info on The LGBTQ Masquerade are available on Eventbrite. We hope you will join the fun in support of The Center!
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It's almost here! Make your plans to Dine Out on Thursday, April 28th for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a participating Dining Out For Life® San Diego location. View participating locations here and let us know if your favorite restaurant is missing so we can recruit them.
DOFLSD Participant Spotlight:
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Enjoy delicious East Coast-style pizza at Sisters Pizza in Hillcrest. Reinforced with tasty varieties of pizza and Mediterranean meals, friendly employees, good music, quality beer and wine, Sisters PIzza caters to neighbors and visitors alike. They also promote community and social enrichment as the #kindnessforkate movement, which aims to create stronger communities through acts of kindness in loving memory of Kate Green, the older Sister's sister. Stop by and give them a try!
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Get an early start with breakfast, brunch, or lunch at Sunny Boy Biscuit Company! Sunny Boy brings Southern comfort food to San Diego, on the border of Hillcrest and North Park. The biscuits are divine, as are all the dishes - may we suggest the Sunrise Clucker?
I can't wait to see you when you Dine Out and Give Back on Thursday, April 28th for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a participating Dining Out For Life® San Diego location.
Ian Johnson (Pronouns: He, Him, His)
Senior Director of Development
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THE CENTER'S EXPANDED IN-PERSON, EMERGENCY, AND VIRTUAL SERVICES
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Join us for resources, programming, events, trainings, Discussion & Support Groups, and more. Please visit our website, visit The Center's Facebook page, or call us at 619.692.2077. Below, find just some of The Center's offerings:
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The Center is proud to co-host the San Diego Transgender Day of Empowerment again this year! Celebrate the rich diversity of San Diego’s transgender community virtually on Friday, April 8th from 6-8pm. Sign up to attend this event to support the transgender community.
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Schedule your vaccine and booster appointment today! Visit sandiegocounty.gov to find a location and you can also schedule an appointment on My Turn.
Order your free at-home COVID-19 tests! Each residential household may order four at-home tests and will receive them in 7-10 days. Order your test today and explore the site for at-home tests at retailers or pharmacies, free testing sites, and insurance reimbursement for at-home tests.
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The San Diego LGBT Community Center is one of San Diego’s most rewarding places to work, with staff renowned for dynamic and creative teamwork, professionalism, and unparalleled heart and dedication. Employees experience an amazing environment where community building, compassion, and care are uniquely combined with an insistent striving toward excellence and best practices. All while changing many lives with our work - join us! Check out our job listings.
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The San Diego Black LGBTQ Coalition strives to be a haven for the Black LGBTQ community. The Damon J. Shearer Scholarship Fund provides financial support to members of the Black LGBTQ community who excel in academics, and is named after the Coalition’s first official President, Damon J. Shearer.
Applications are due May 1, and the top four selected winners will receive a $5,000 scholarship.
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Covered California's enrollment period is open and consumers may qualify to receive federal and state financial help that can dramatically lower their monthly health care costs. Many may qualify for financial help that can lower premiums to a range of $0 - $10 per month. Find out more:
- Visit CoveredCA.com to find out if you qualify for financial help and see the health coverage options in your area - just enter your household income, ZIP code, household size and the number of people who need coverage and their ages into the calculator on Covered California’s homepage.
- Use the online Shop and Compare Tool.
- Call Covered California at 1.800.300.1506 for free assistance over the phone in a variety of languages, or request a certified enroller call you and receive help for free.
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