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The Center's Programs & Resources For Women
April 12, 2021

Dear Center Community,
 
As Spring has arrived and the world is being renewed, I want to celebrate that San Diego County has now moved into the Orange Tier, and that this week, all eligible adults 16+ have access to the COVID-19 vaccine! I truly hope this finds you all healthy and well, and either vaccinated, or preparing for your turn with the hopes for much brighter days ahead for all.
 
Today I’d like to focus on The Center’s offerings, groups, and resources for women. We believe in the saying that ‘when women support women, incredible things happen’ and have seen that in action in our Zoom groups, especially during the pandemic. Our Women’s Discussion Group is a small and diverse group that has become a true support system for women to connect about life’s challenges and a safe space to have conversations about struggles, relationships, family, work, and more. Our Women’s Coming Out Group provides an affirming and supportive space for women of all ages on any part of their coming out journey and explores learning about yourself, engaging with family, discovering new friends and opportunities, navigating starting a new job, and so much more and this group is here to provide whatever support is needed.
 
Our newest offering is the Lesbian Café, a social group for 50+ lesbians that kicked off in March and just last week had a second meeting with increased attendance where the discussion topic was “What does the word Lesbian mean to you?” We are delighted that many single women and couples are attending and planning future discussion topics and periodic speakers. As this group is just beginning, we encourage you to join and help create the group that you’d like to see at The Center.

For Spanish-speaking women in the LGBTQ community, other important women's groups include Transgenero 2000, a support and discussion group for Spanish-speaking transgender women that covers all topics that affect transgender women, and Lestinas, a Spanish-speaking group for lesbian and bisexual women to discuss and explore issues that specifically impact that community of women. We also offer Finding Your Voice: Voice Feminizing Workshop, a gender-affirming voice therapy series with a Speech Language Pathologist to harmonize in community and explore the fundamentals of sound, breath support, and pitch. Diamonds in the Rough is another support group for Transwomen/Transfeminine women. This therapist-led support group is specifically for transgender women and transfeminine individuals, topics vary and it is closed format, requiring a meeting with a group facilitator prior to joining.

With all of these groups, the more attendance, participation, and input, the better we can serve the women in our community and increase our offerings. For information on how to join one of our Women's Groups, please email women@thecentersd.org. or trans@thecentersd.org

Women can also receive connections to The Center’s Emergency Services during COVID-19 by calling 619.800.4252 from 9am-4pm or 619.800.4216 from 4pm-9pm. These services include Food Resources like food banks and home delivery of non-perishables, rental relief and assistance, Behavioral Health Resources, free and confidential HIV testing, referrals to local partners for social service support, and so much more. We encourage all women in our LGBTQ community to see what The Center has for them!

If you are able to donate so that we are able to continue our Emergency Services for women and all of our community members, please visit https://thecentersd.org/giving/

In community,
- Cara Dessert (Pronouns: She/Her/Hers)
Chief Executive Officer
SAN DIEGO COUNTY UPDATES
The Center wants to keep you up to date on the latest COVID-19 vaccine and tier informationAs of last week on April 7, San Diego has moved into the Orange Tier.

As of April 15, eligibility for the vaccine will be expanded to everyone 16 and older. 
To get up to date on vaccine phases, information on who is eligible, details on vaccination sites, or to make your appointment, visit the San Diego County website.
IN THE KNOW WITH IAN
The Center’s Signature Events have looked very different over the past year during the pandemic; some were cancelled altogether, and others have been reimagined to be safe for the community, while also raising critical funds for The Center. As San Diego County starts opening up more, we are still not able to safely host more than 1,000 of our community in-person at our annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast.
 
But the show must go on! This year's Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast will be held virtually, but will be just as uplifting as ever, as we celebrate Harvey Milk's legacy, the accomplishments of LGBTQ elected and appointed leaders in San Diego, and the progress and work to be done in our LGBTQ movement.

Join us on Friday, May 21 at noon for an extraordinary online Harvey Milk event with special guests, inspiration, and appreciation for all of the LGBTQ leaders who paved our way. Although we won't be coming together for breakfast with sponsored tables, The Center has unique opportunities and recognition to support this year's special presentation. Please contact me at ijohnson@thecentersd.org if you'd like to sponsor or have questions. You won't want to miss it and we hope to see you there!

- Ian Johnson (Pronouns: He/Him/His)
Director of Development
UPDATE ON THE CENTER'S TRAINING INSTITUTE
In March, The Center’s Training Institute provided a Gender Identities and Nonbinary Identities virtual training to 51 of our valued Center Volunteers. This interactive training provided volunteers with a safe space to learn and ask questions. Our goal is that these trainings will assist our volunteers in helping us make The Center a more welcoming, accepting, and safe space for our entire diverse community. Volunteer feedback included:  
 
 “This training clarifies many questions or misunderstandings about gender.  I work in a school and educators need to be educated on this topic, especially since we are working with younger people.” - Danielle
 
 “It's almost like a new language is being discovered as our LGBTQ+ community continues to grow. Educating and exposing ourselves to this developing spectrum will help us to become more mindful, respectful, and, most importantly, loving toward each and everybody's unique identities.” - Elijah
 
“This training will help give you an understanding of who you are first. Once you are comfortable and confident with who you are, you will be more comfortable and confident dealing with others. It is a way of respecting others so that they can respect you back.” - Leo
 
The Training Institute is providing this same training FREE to the community on Thursday, April 22, from 5pm to 7pm, as part of our Community Training Series. Click for more information and to register. Organizations that are interested in providing this training to their personnel (for a fee), please reach out to traininginstitute@thecentersd.org.
OFFERINGS FROM THE CENTER
Join us for discussion and support groups, special programs, and more via Zoom - all tailored for our LGBTQ community. 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. Below find just some of The Center's offerings. 
CENTER FOOD RESOURCES
RESOURCES FOR THE BLACK LGBTQ COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES
THE CENTER'S EMERGENCY SERVICES
WANT TO WORK AT THE CENTER?
The Center offers employees an amazing environment where community building, compassion, and care are uniquely combined with an insistent striving toward excellence and best practices. The Center is one of San Diego’s most exciting places to work, with staff renowned for dynamic and creative teamwork, professionalism, and unparalleled heart and dedication. Check out our job listings. 
SHARE THE CENTER'S NEWS
We make it easy to share The Center's weekly E-News - just click this link and forward to a friend! If your friends would like to sign up to stay informed, they can sign up here: https://thecentersd.org/about/weekly-e-news/
HELP IS AVAILABLE - YOU ARE NOT ALONE
If you are in crisis or considering suicide, you are not alone.
There are resources and help available for you:
  • Trans Lifeline: 1.877.565.8860 - For trans or nonbinary folx in the US
  • Trevor Project Lifeline: 1.866.488.7386 - For LGBT youth (18-24)
  • National Suicide Hotline: 1.800.273.8255 - For all ages & identities
  • San Diego Access and Crisis Line: 1.888.724.7240 - Free suicide prevention/intervention hotline in San Diego County
Copyright © 2021 San Diego LGBT Community Center, All rights reserved.


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