Happy New Year to all! I wish you a healthy and safe start to 2021. The new year, especially this one, brings hope for a brighter future, with new beginnings and possibility. The promise of a widespread vaccine in 2021 for COVID-19 is on the horizon, but we must continue to stay vigilant - staying home as much as possible, wearing masks, hand washing, social distancing, and more, until the day comes when everyone has access to the vaccine. Last year was truly unprecedented in tragedy, challenges, and loss for our community and the country, but it was also deeply inspiring to see our San Diego LGBTQ community rally in support of The Center, as we provided critically-needed resources - food, housing resources and rental relief, behavioral health services, HIV testing, healthcare enrollment, virtual support and discussion groups, and our Emergency Referral and Resource phone line.
Our most recent end of year fundraising effort was so inspiring- with a record breaking number of donors! Thank you to our community members who challenged others with matching gift opportunities! Thank you to those of you who created fundraising pages! Thank you to those who gave once, twice or more! Thank you to those who donated to our partners by collecting toys for youth, and socks and warm clothing for Center clients. Thank you, thank you, thank you to each and every one of you!
With your help, from the beginning of the pandemic through the end of November, The Center provided over 529 support groups, over 3,200 Behavioral Health Service calls or Zoom appointments, more than 2,000 referrals from our Emergency Referral and Resource line, rental relief and assistance to over 520 people, and food resources to over 1,000 people every month.
As always, The Center can be here for our community because our community is here for us. In this new year, please continue to take care of yourself and others, as we look forward to a day in the future that our doors will be literally open and we can see each other in person, share tears and hugs, and raise our voices in joy, celebration, and solidarity once again.
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-Cara Dessert (Pronouns: She/Her/Hers)
Chief Executive Officer
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HELP STOP THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
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You have the power to help your friends, family and community stop the spread of COVID-19 by adding your phone to California’s exposure notification system to get COVID-19 exposure alerts and to protect those around you.
Visit CA Notify to get started and once you activate CA Notify, it does all the work. All you do is keep your Bluetooth on and you will only receive alerts if you were in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19. Your privacy is protected as your identity is not known and your location is not tracked. Learn more and get started here.
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COVID-19 TESTING IN OUR REGION
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With the cases of COVID-19 rising in San Diego, The Center would like to remind you of the resources available if you, or someone you know, is in need of a COVID-19 test. You can find a full list of testing sites here or you can dial 2-1-1. Most testing locations do not require an appointment and the test only takes 5-10 minutes, with results available within 2-4 days. Please stay at home as much as possible, wear a mask, practice social distancing, wash your hands, and do all you can to keep yourself and others safe so we all get through this together.
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CENTER PROGRAMMING VIA ZOOM
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COMMUNITY FEEDBACK NEEDED
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CONNECT WITH COMMUNITY ON ZOOM
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As you stay at home, The Center knows how important it is to stay connected. Join us on Zoom for discussion and support groups, special events, and more - all tailored for you and your needs. Please visit our website, visit The Center's Facebook page, or call us at (619) 800-4252 from 9am - 4pm or (619)800-4216 from 4pm - 9pm to find the right one for you.
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SHARE THE CENTER'S E-NEWS!
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