Dear Center Community,
San Diego continues to experience a housing crisis as rents continue to rise, and too many in our LGBTQ community are suffering as a result. The Center is proud of our work to help LGBTQ people who are experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity through our family of programs - our housing continuum - which includes housing for youth, seniors, families, and those living with HIV. As you know, Dining Out For Life® San Diego is coming up on Thursday, April 28th, where you can Dine Out and Give Back. What you might not know is that proceeds go directly to HIV services and prevention programs throughout The Center, which includes some of The Center’s Housing Services like Sunburst Youth Housing Project and LGBTQ Safe S.T.A.Y. program. Both of these programs are critical as youth homelessness is on the rise, and LGBTQ youth and LGBTQ youth of color are overrepresented in the population of people experiencing homelessness. 40% of those who are unsheltered identify as LGBTQ. If you know a youth experiencing homelessness or in need of housing resources at The Center, please call us at 619.692.2077.
The Center’s Sunburst Youth Housing Project (Sunburst) was created to provide safe and supportive housing for San Diego’s youth experiencing homelessness, between 18-24 years old, including LGBTQ youth and youth living with HIV. These high-risk youth, formerly living on the streets or in public spaces, have typically been thrown out of their homes because of family rejection of their sexual orientation or gender identity. One of our goals for Sunburst is to ensure that youth have easy access to services that will support them in maintaining stable housing. Youth are connected to critical support services such as case management, health care, on-site mental health services, benefits enrollment, HIV testing, and more. This 23-unit facility is located in downtown San Diego, and is wheelchair accessible with two ADA units.
Our Safe S.T.A.Y. program supports transitional age youth ages 18-24, providing overnight emergency housing seven nights a week. Resources include gender-neutral living quarters and restrooms, shower and laundry facilities, clothing, toiletries, and LGBTQ-empowering staff and case managers who provide access to resources and referrals, with a focus on navigating hese youth to permanent housing.
The Center believes everyone deserves a safe home and we are here to provide life-changing, and often life-saving, housing programs and services for our LGBTQ community. Our Housing Continuum also includes North Park Senior Apartments, Karibu - a 20-unit scattered-site housing program, our family reunification services, and more. If you or someone you know would like more information, please contact us at housingservices@thecentersd.org.
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- Cara Dessert (Pronouns: She, Her, Hers)
Chief Executive Officer
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The Center’s Open House
Save the Date and join us for The Center’s Open House on Saturday, May 14th. Everyone is welcome to check out our newly renovated Center community spaces, and learn about all the programs and services we provide at our Resource Fair. More details to come!
Check out the Facebook event and let us know you’re going!
Saturday, May 14, 2022, 11am-2pm
Opening Ceremony: 11:00-11:45am
Resource Fair: 11am - 2pm
Tours: 11:45am - 2pm
RSVP here to let us know you're coming and to sign up for a tour slot.
We look forward to welcoming you back to Your Center!
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Community Call to Action: See action below! If you have been following the drawn-out Human Relations Commissions (HRC) bylaws process, you know that it has now been five months since Commissioner Dennis Hodges made transphobic and homophobic statements at the Leon L. Williams San Diego County Human Relations Commission meeting in November.
Cara Dessert, our CEO, made a motion at that November 2021 meeting to ask for Commissioner Hodges to resign, and he refused. Commissioners then took a symbolic vote to remove him, but since they did not have the power to remove an appointed commissioner at that time, he continues as a Commissioner and has refused to step down.
We appealed to the Board of Supervisors, and they directed the commission to update the bylaws to add a code of conduct and a process for the Commission to remove a commissioner for violation of that code of conduct; those updated bylaws were approved by the Board of Supervisors a few weeks ago. The San Diego Union-Tribune has covered this controversy and is also calling for the removal of Commissioner Hodges.
At The Center, we take these attacks on our community seriously, especially when they occur in commission meetings by appointed officials. Now, the commissioners have the power to remove an appointed commissioner, and we need your help to make our voices heard! Answer our Community Call To Action - register to speak at tomorrow's Human Relations Commission meeting, tomorrow, Tuesday, April 19th at 10am, and help us in our efforts to remove Commissioner Hodges. See below for details.
We have endured this wrong for five months. We are long overdue for accountability. Thank you for joining us in this effort!
- Rebekah Hook-Held (Pronouns: She, Her, Hers)
Chief Public Affairs & Civic Engagement Officer
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REGISTER TO SPEAK & CALL INTO THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING
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Register to speak before 9am on April 19, prior to Tuesday's Human Relations Commission meeting at https://bit.ly/RegisterApril19 and then call into the meeting at 10am on Tuesday and be prepared to speak during Item 5 Public Comment. See our talking points below. Thank you!
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On Tuesday, April 19, at 10am, please join the Zoom meeting and wait to speak during the non-agenda public comment (Item 5) to express support for removing Commissioner Hodges from the commission. Zoom link: https://bit.ly/HRCapril19. You can also join the meeting by phone. See details here.
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This Saturday, our friends at Casa Loto will be hosting The LGBTQ Masquerade, a fundraising event in support of The Center's youth programs. 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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In less than two weeks, thousands of San Diegans will be dining out. Make your plans to Dine Out on Thursday, April 28, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a participating Dining Out For Life® San Diego location.
DOFLSD Participant Spotlight:
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Martinis San Diego – New location at 50%
Under new ownership and a new name, Martinis San Diego is joining Dining Out For Life® San Diego and donating 50% of their sales! Make your reservations to enjoy eclectic dining, tantalizing martinis, and lively entertainment.
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Number One Fifth Avenue – New location
We are thrilled to welcome for the first time, Number One Fifth Avenue. As a long-standing staple in Hillcrest, Number One Fifth Ave is the perfect place for your final stop on the DOFLSD tour.
- 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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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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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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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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GET PAID TO PLANT A TREE!
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The SDG&E Community Tree Rebate Program helps qualifying residential customers plant trees and other plant species that provide direct environmental, health and economic benefits throughout the region. This program is designed for customers in SDG&E’s service territory, especially where trees may be needed to help make a positive impact in their community. Qualifying SDG&E customers receive a $35 rebate for planting or potting a 1- or 5-gallon tree/plant species (up to five rebates annually).
You do not need a yard to qualify, as trees or other plant species can also be planted in large containers on outdoor balconies or patio areas. Your participation in this program helps our communities by supporting local biodiversity, improving air quality and sequestering carbon. Find out if your zip code qualifies you for the program at sdge.com/Tree-Rebate.
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