The Center was always a beacon of hope.
Growing up in Los Angeles in a conservative Christian family, the Center was always a beacon of hope for me. Once I was out on my own, I was able to pursue transitioning and nine years ago sought services at the Center as a client.
In the fall of 2015, I attended the Center’s Trans Job Fair. I was hired a few months later as a health education specialist then later became a benefits navigator, which meant I was helping people figure out their health insurance options. Becoming an employee felt like coming full circle. I was able to provide better client care because I knew exactly what it was like on their side of things.
I applied for my job at the Trans Wellness Center as soon as it was posted. I want to help make sure the community knows we are there for them. Some of the most rewarding interactions I have had are with our most vulnerable populations, including trans sex workers. I was able to help some of them get on PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) as a way to help prevent HIV transmission. This is critical because the trans community is so overrepresented in new cases of HIV.
Staff: Cameron Varney
Hometown: Whittier, CA
Year Started at the Center: 2016
Staff Position: Program Coordinator at Trans Wellness Center
