Hello Center Community,
This is Yey Morales (They/Them), The Center’s Youth Services Manager, and I have some exciting news! I’m excited to announce that for the first time in more than 10 years, The Center has purchased a new building for the Hillcrest Youth Center (HYC)! After several months of renovations and improvements, it will be open and ready to serve our youth ages 10-24 next week, starting on Monday, April 17th!
Our LGBTQ youth need safe spaces where they can be themselves and access the resources they need, which is why our Hillcrest Youth Center was originally established in 2000. It was the first LGBTQ drop-in and recreational center in San Diego County dedicated to the needs of LGBTQ and nonbinary youth, as well as youth living with HIV.
The new HYC has multiple rooms to host activities and resources tailored for our youth, including a community closet with gender-affirming clothing, a game room, library, lounge, kitchenette, a dedicated office for on-site visits with a therapist from The Center’s Behavioral Health Services team, and a beautiful outdoor patio and garden. This new location is a big, bright, and visible representation of our commitment to LGBTQ youth, centrally located in Hillcrest. It is a place many of us wished we had available when we were growing up, and I am so proud to have this safe space for our LGBTQ youth today and many years to come.
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Our HYC youth and their families are so excited about our new building. Recently I heard from a family who wanted to show their support; Debbie, Mimi, and Ken have been volunteering over the last two weeks to help assemble furniture, do some interior decorating, and have generally been a tremendous help in getting the new space ready. Debbie says, “We are so grateful for places like The Center’s HYC. Having a safe, supportive environment is a great resource for our youth, and for our families. I feel a sense of relief that this place exists for whoever might need it.”
Our HYC schedule remains the same: on Mondays we host Social Meet-Ups for youth ages 10-13. Tuesdays, we host a Gender Identity Group for youth ages 10-13. On Wednesdays, youth ages 14-18 are welcome to our Social Meet Up for high schoolers at HYC. Thursdays are our Community Tour Days, and on Fridays we offer a Social Meet-Up for transitional age youth 18-24. We also offer free and confidential HIV testing at HYC on the fourth Wednesday of the month, with the next testing day scheduled for Wednesday, April 26th. If you are a parent, a partner organization, or provider of youth services and want to check out our new space, please contact HYC@thecentersd.org for a Thursday Tour Day from 11am-7pm.
If you or someone you know needs access to our Youth Services, please check out all we have to offer on our website and know you are not alone. If you are able, please consider a donation to The Center so that we may continue our work. We can’t wait to make new memories in our new space!
To the future,
Yey Morales (They/Them)
Youth Services Manager
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Many of us are overjoyed that Dining Out For Life San Diego (DOFLSD) is back this year as we knew it before! Over 60 generous locations have committed with plenty of options for community to dine out. HIV infections have declined in San Diego in recent years thanks to The Center’s Sexual Health and Wellness program, our #BeTheGeneration campaign, and events like DOFLSD and AIDS Walk San Diego. Critical services and prevention programs are integral to stopping all new cases of infection and supporting those living with HIV. One way you can support The Center's Sexual Health and Wellness program, including HIV services and prevention efforts, is to dine out on Thursday, April 27!
Have you made your plans? Visit thecentersd.org/dofl-locations/ to see this year’s participants throughout San Diego County.
Haven’t made your plans? Consider these options.
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Sammy's Restaurant & Bar: Sammy's Restaurant & Bar can be found at the Seven Mile Casino in Chula Vista. Sammy's at Seven Mile Casino features a modern touch on classic tavern fare, paired carefully with a local brew list and hand-crafted cocktails.
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Steak & Bones Tacos: A new Hillcrest dining destination, Steak & Bones Tacos – an authentic taqueria serving tasty tacos and bowls with a wide selection of craft beer and wine, is excited to participate in DOFLSD and support The Center!. Don’t miss this exciting new location, located on Fourth Ave between University and Washington.
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Every year around Harvey Milk's birthday, more than 1,000 diverse San Diegans come together to celebrate Harvey Milk and his vision of civil rights and equality for all. This year, celebrating his 94th birthday, we are excited to be gathering to honor Harvey Milk's legacy in a special way that is not to be missed! After three years of hosting a virtual presentation, the in-person Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast is back and better than ever! This is a fabulous opportunity to come together in support of community! Join us for the Annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast on Friday, May 12, 2023 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront.
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In Appreciation,
Ian Johnson (He/Him)
Senior Director of Development
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TRY SOMETHING NEW & MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Want to make new friends, make a difference, and give back to the LGBTQ community? Why not become a Center Volunteer - there is an opportunity for everyone. Click here to learn more.
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FREE FOOD RESOURCES AT THE CENTER
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At The Center, we believe that food is a human right and we want to be sure everyone in our community has access to nutritious food. Our programs include:
Both Food Banks have a walk-up or drive-up option for safety. If you, or someone you know needs access to food, know that The Center is here for you. Please reach out to Sarah (she/her) at 619.692.2077 x 214 or smerkbenitez@thecentersd.org.
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HIV/HCV AND STI SCREENINGS
FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL
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It's time for self-care with our free, confidential HIV/HCV testing and STI screenings in a compassionate and sex-positive environment with connections to health care and resources. Make your appointment today - call us at 619.692.2077 or email bethegeneration@thecentersd.org to make an appointment. Monday-Friday 11am-6pm by appointment. Walk-ins will be accepted based on availability.
Please note that we do not offer MPOX testing as part of our testing services, please call 211 for testing assistance.
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The Center moves to Phase 4 of Reopening
As of April 2023, The Center has moved into Phase 4 of our reopening. We will no longer be verifying proof of COVID vaccination for anyone who enters The Center, and masks will now be optional at all of our sites; masks are still strongly encouraged.
Room Rentals at The Center
Room rentals are back at The Center! To get more information about reserving a room at The Center, please visit our website. We hope to see you soon!
Center Library is Open Monday-Friday, 10am-2pm
The Center's Library is now open! Get your library card, check out one of the LGBTQ+ books from our vast collection, or get a recommendation from one of our library volunteers!
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50+ AND BETTER TOGETHER - SENIOR SERVICES AT THE CENTER
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Find our full list of events, programs, and services for 50+ & Better Together Senior Services on our website.
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WOMEN'S SERVICES AT THE CENTER
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We offer support and discussion groups for women, and more! Check out our Women's Services at The Center page on our website.
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PROJECT TRANS AT THE CENTER
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Project TRANS at The Center offers something for everyone in our transgender and nonbinary community. Check out the Project TRANS page on The Center's website to see our upcoming events.
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MEN'S SERVICES AT THE CENTER
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Coming Out, Together is a new 10-week program for men. Build a community of newly out men discovering themselves and the LGBT community for the first time. Fill out our form at bit.ly/coming-out-together to sign up!
Visit our Men's Services at The Center page on our website for more info.
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BLACK SERVICES AT THE CENTER
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Black Services at The Center provides regular and ongoing support and discussion groups for our Black LGBTQ community. Find our schedule of events on The Center's website.
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LATIN@X SERVICES AT THE CENTER
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All Latin@x Services support and discussion groups are now meeting in person. We have updated schedules for all our groups! View all our groups on the Latin@x Services page on our website.
Todos los grupos de discusión y apoyo de Latin@x Services ahora se están reuniendo en persona. ¡Tenemos horarios actualizados para todos nuestros grupos! Vea todos nuestros grupos en la página de Servicios Latin@x en nuestro sitio web.
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YOUTH SERVICES AT THE CENTER
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Discover our latest offerings at the Hillcrest Youth Center and South Bay Youth Center by visiting our Youth Services at The Center page on our website.
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Six Steps to Create a Personal Budget
Free Seminar for Youth 18-24 Years Old
Friday, April 21, 2023, 4pm (Pacific)
Join a representative from San Diego County Credit Union for an informative online session on the basics to create your own personal budget. The same information will be shared at these sessions, so you only need to attend one!
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At The Center, we have something for everyone in our community! Check out our Events Calendar at The Center or visit our Community Program pages:
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Join San Diego Pride and the Padres at OUT at the Park on Friday, April 14 at Petco Park. Grab your friends, family, and rainbows as we prepare to enjoy an exciting evening of entertainment and baseball when the Padres take on the Milwaukee Brewers. Arrive early and enjoy Pride's pregame happy hour in Gallagher Square with CocktailFest presented by Southwest Airlines from 4:30-6:30 PM.
Your Out at the Park ticket purchase includes your ticket, a commemorative Out at the Park Padres hat, $10 donation to San Diego Pride, and access to the pre-game VIP space in Gallagher Square.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! bit.ly/OATPtix
To purchase 10 or more tickets contact Logan Washburn at (619) 795-5137 or lwashburn@padres.com.
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San Diego Pride’s Power Summit is a weekend-long conference for people committed to LGBTQ justice hoping to learn grassroots organizing skills, build community connections, and get directly engaged in the movement of intersectional social justice.
Trainings will include field organizing, storytelling, power mapping, campaign development, and more! The conference will take place on San Diego City College’s campus between April 28th and April 30th. There will be an evening reception on Friday, and workshops and plenaries on Saturday and Sunday between 9am-4:30pm. There will be a fee of $75 to attend, but scholarships and fee waivers will be available. All skill levels are welcome to attend!
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If you are a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, please take a few moments to complete this #Out4MentalHealth survey and share it with your networks. It supports LGBTQIA+ community members in identifying system strengths and barriers based on our own lived experiences. Your responses will be utilized to help create a statewide mental health policy agenda.
Share your experiences accessing mental health care by taking the Mental Health Advocacy Priorities Survey: bit.ly/O4MHPP2022
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SDG&E PROVIDES $16 MILLION TO HELP CUSTOMERS WITH BILL ASSISTANCE
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SDG&E is funding a new $10 million program to support local nonprofit, community-based organizations (CBOs) that provide essential services to vulnerable customers. It’s also increasing funding by $6 million for its Neighbor-to-Neighbor bill assistance program.
Additionally, to help its customers keep their energy costs down, SDG&E launched a new program for renters and owners of single-family homes. The Residential Energy Solutions (RES) program has no income restrictions. Eligible customers receive free products such as smart thermostats, low-flow showerheads, brushless fan motors, HVAC services like air duct testing and sealing – and more. SDG&E has contracted with Synergy Companies. Customers can request a home visit from an energy efficiency expert at synergycompanies.com or by calling (888)-272-8394. Visit sdgenews.com for more information.
SDG&E offers other assistance programs:
- LIHEAP – utility bill help that ranges from a few hundred up to a few thousand dollars
- CARE – customers can save 30% or more off their energy bill
- FERA – customers can receive an 18% discount on their electricity bill
- ESA – no-cost energy-efficiency upgrades to income-qualified customers
- Golden States Rebates program – incentives of $20 - $500 to buy high-efficiency water heaters, smart thermostats or room air conditioners
- Arrearage Management Payment (AMP) Plan – debt forgiveness for past due bills for CARE and FERA customers
To learn more about SDG&E’s bill assistance programs, visit sdge.com/assistance or sdge.com/asistencia.
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BECOME PART OF THE CENTER TEAM!
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Make a change and work at The San Diego LGBT Community Center - one of the most rewarding places to work, renowned for dynamic and creative teamwork, professionalism, and unparalleled heart and dedication. Employees experience a collaborative and caring environment where community building, compassion, and respect are uniquely combined with an insistent striving toward excellence and best practices. Check out the job listings here and apply today!
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STAY HEALTHY: UPDATES & RESOURCES
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Get the latest and most up-to-date information our website at thecentersd.org/mpox/. To sign up for the County's MPOX text message alert system and receive real-time information about MPOX, text COSD MONKEYPOX to 468-311.
- MPOX vaccine eligibility has expanded in San Diego County. MPOX is now available to anyone who may be at risk. Visit our website for more information about the MPOX vaccine. MPOX vaccination appointments are available at myturn.ca.gov for those without health insurance or healthcare provider.
- To get notifications of vaccine availability, please sign up to the MPOX alert system by texting COSD MONKEYPOX to 468-311.
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RECURSOS Y ACTUALIZACIONES SOBRE MPOX (VIRUELA DE MONO)
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Obtenga la información más reciente y actualizada directamente del condado de San Diego. El sistema de alerta de mensajes de texto MPOX del condado envía información en tiempo real sobre MPOX a través de mensajes de texto a los residentes del condado de San Diego. Para inscribirse, envíe un mensaje de texto con COSD MONKEYPOX al 468-311. Visite nuestro sitio web en thecentersd.org/mpox/ para obtener la información más reciente.
- La eligibilidad para la vacuna contra MPOX se ha ampliado en el condado de San Diego. La vacuna MPOX ahora está disponible para cualquier persona que pueda estar en riesgo. Visita nuestro sitio web para más información sobre la vacuna contra MPOX. Las citas de vacunación MPOX están disponibles en myturn.ca.gov para personas sin seguro médico o sin proveedor de atención médica.
- Para recibir notificaciones sobre la disponibilidad de vacunas, regístrese en el sistema de alerta MPOX enviando un mensaje de texto con COSD MONKEYPOX al 468-311.
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Read the latest about COVID-19 including travel, vaccines, treatment, prevention and more. Resources to help you and yours stay healthy include:
Updates from The Center for Disease Control (CDC) including risks, vaccines, symptoms, and more.
Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of four free at-home tests from USPS.com. Here's what you need to know about your order:
Visit sandiegocounty.gov to schedule your vaccine and booster appointment today! Find a location and schedule appointments on My Turn.
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