AT WORK IN THE TRANS COMMUNITY

WORKPLACE AND CULTURAL SENSITIVITY TRAINING

Transgender Health and Wellness Center (TH&WC) provides workplace and cultural sensitivity training and education to businesses, public agencies, and healthcare and service organizations across the Inland Empire in order to ensure they meet their legal obligations of public accommodation, but also embody the highest standards of dignity and respect for their employees, clients, and customers. TH&WC offers education on such topics as transitioning in the workplace, proper pronouns, creating welcoming environments, sexual harassment, reducing bias, legal issues, health equity, equality, and much more.

LINKAGE TO HEALTHCARE SERVICES AND HEALTH INSURANCE NAVIGATION

TH&WC provides assistance, information, and advocacy to help navigate the complex and often confusing healthcare system. By providing referrals to knowledgeable and culturally competent physicians and providers and assisting with securing health insurance including government-sponsored Medi-Cal, IEHP, Medicare, V.A., and Covered California health plans, TH&WC removes hurdles to accessing care and expanded covered services, educates members on their healthcare coverage rights, and how to appeal discriminatory denials of coverage.​

PrEP AND PEP EDUCATION AND LINKAGE

TH&WC provides education and information and partners with other HIV/AIDS and LGBTQI+ organizations in the Coachella Valley to provide HIV, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) education to members of the transgender, intersex, and gender non-conforming communities in order to prevent new HIV diagnoses in these often at-risk populations.

NAME AND GENDER CHANGE NAVIGATION

TH&WC helps navigate complex name and gender change forms and procedural requirements as well as peer support to those required to appear in court to complete the process. Detailed info can be found here.

SOBRIETY AND ADDICTION

TH&WC provides referrals to and works closely with, local recovery programs, rehabilitation, and sober-living
facilities to support transgender individuals struggling with alcoholism, addiction, and substance abuse issues. TH&WC provides peer support for personalized recovery journeys.

PRISON ADVOCACY AND PREA (PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT)

Recognizing a long history of criminalization of transgender, gender non-conforming, intersex, and LGB+ communities, TH&WC advocates for rehabilitation programs, community re-entry facilities, and the continuation of medically necessary hormone and other treatments for incarcerated community members. We provide an LGBTQI inmate letter program that provides inmates with social support, resources, and a connection with the larger trans community that affords them visibility to ensure they are not sexually assaulted or abused while incarcerated.

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POLICY DEVELOPMENT, COALITION AND LEADERSHIP

TH&WC advances and develops public policies which address hurdles to accessing equal employment, housing, and healthcare services. TH&WC nurtures and mentors new leaders and grassroots advocates within the community to support coalition building, service growth, legal protection, and advancement.

SOCIAL EVENTS AND PEER SUPPORT

TH&WC hosts the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, Trans Equality March, and the monthly Trans Tuesdays social hour. TH&WC recognizes that dynamic social support is connected not only to authentic living but can also prevent and reduce the instances of isolation, suicide, and depression that disproportionately affect this population. Providing opportunities to meet others of like mind, spirit, and circumstance help to build friendships, self-esteem, and emotional health.

EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING

TH&WC is an aggressive advocate for employment access and housing equality. TH&WC provides referrals to housing and employment opportunities and outside programs and is proud of its role in reducing transgender unemployment across the Inland Empire.

HIV/STI PREVENTION AND EDUCATION

TH&WC understands the impact that HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) have had on the LGBT+ community and provides education and information to educate high-risk, economically-displaced communities at risk, and is dedicated to the reduction of HIV/STI new infections. TH&WC provides free condoms and lube in each bathroom to ensure private and discrete access.