I am a Social Worker with a passion for the LGBT community and became a volunteer at the Center because I wanted to be of service. Volunteering here has helped me connect with wonderful people whom I wouldn’t know otherwise and develop skills in my field I’m constantly impressed by the Center’s offerings to the community and grateful to be a part of it on a volunteer level. I lived in the Midwest for six years and it makes me really appreciate how much the Center is able to do. I’ve done work with the seniors’ bereavement group and whatever else is…
Author: Greg Hernandez
When I landed a job at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, my areas of passion intersected: the LGBTQIA+, veteran and homeless populations. I knew the position was going to give me a lot of opportunity to shape our social services program at the Senior Center and also help me to grow as a macro-social worker. But I never imagined that one day I would be working through a global pandemic, especially with the seniors population who would be affected the most. When COVID-19 hit, it brought on a lot of uncertainty and anxiety for myself and my staff. How would…
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Los Angeles LGBT Center Chief of Staff Darrel Cummings received a phone call from U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, who represents several of the Center’s locations as part of California’s 28th district. “He had two questions for me: ‘How are you and everyone at the Center doing?’ and ‘What can I do to help?’” Cummings shared during the virtual Big Queer Convo—the Center’s ongoing series of provocative community forums—featuring Schiff on April 28. “These two questions typify the relationship that the Center and our community have had with Congressman Schiff for a long…
For the past 20 years, May 1 has been celebrated as International Workers’ Day. Most years, Center staffers are marching through downtown Los Angeles with thousands of others in solidarity with immigrants, LGBTQ people, unions, and workers in Los Angeles and around the world. Due to COVID-19, May Day 2020 went virtual to celebrate the critical roles of essential workers during the COVID-19 crisis. Online activities replaced the usual rally and march in the streets of downtown Los Angeles. May Day: Digital Day of Action included a virtual morning press conference on Facebook followed by a socially distanced applause session…
Nurse Manager Rachel Bachar wasn’t expecting to have smoked chicken with vegetables, rice, and salsa verde for lunch on Tuesday. But she and other Los Angeles LGBT Center Health Services employees got just that (or tofu for vegans) when gourmet lunches from Border Grill restaurant were delivered to the Center’s McDonald/Wright Building. “Everybody works really hard here and we’ve been doing a lot to support the community through this COVID-19 pandemic,” Bachar (pictured, right) said. “It was so nice to have them reach out like this to take care of everybody.” Business Office Manager Eric Rodriguez described the lunchtime gesture…
One of my top goals for 2020 was to become a volunteer for the Los Angeles LGBT Center. Then came the COVID-19 outbreak, and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to. But the Center responded quickly and adapted to the changing environment, and I am currently working as a volunteer for Senior Services as part of their Senior Angel delivery program. It’s so challenging to keep a safe distance from the seniors in self-isolation because they are so excited to see someone at their doorstep. I have found that immediately stepping back to a safe distance and allowing them…
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way I do my job here at the Center. It’s been really dope to see how everyone is so strong mentally and has been quick to adapt to the situation. As a staff member assigned to the Sexual Health and Education Program, a major part of the job is outreach. I provide health education at events like resource fairs and concerts where we set up tables and give out condoms, lube, and fentanyl testing strips along with informational materials and Center swag. Now, due to social distancing, everything has been canceled. But we quickly realized everyone was running…
Los Angeles LGBT Center employee Tanya Tassi isn’t handy with a needle and thread, but she knows how to organize and to make things happen. Since the local outbreak of COVID-19, Tassi has personally had more than 350 cloth masks made and delivered to people in the LGBTQ community who need them. “I believe if you can help, you should help in a time of crisis,” she explains. “I’m a helper by nature, and I feel like I’m doing something for the community.” Tassi, national community center policy manager for the Center’s Public Policy and Community Building department, launched the…
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Los Angeles LGBT Center has continued to provide services to more LGBT people than any other organization in the world. Normally, the Center sees more than 42,000 clients visits each month. However, community needs are growing and changing during the crisis, and the Center has been evolving to meet those needs — all while losing a significant amount of much-needed funding due to social distancing and economic uncertainty. “The Center is so committed to providing these critical services that mean so much right now,” Center Board of Directors Co-Chair Susan Feniger said during a virtual…
The world’s largest single event HIV/AIDS fundraiser won’t physically be taking place this year, but riders and volunteer “roadies” are going virtual to keep raising money for AIDS/LifeCycle 2020. The seven-day 545-mile ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, benefiting both the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the HIV/AIDS-related services of the Los Angeles LGBT Center, was cancelled last week due to health and safety concerns over the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. In order to maintain the current level of HIV/AIDS services, both organizations have set a joint fundraising goal of $13 million—of which $6 million has already been raised by…