Hello Rob,

The 2022-23 season has officially begun, and we could not be happier seeing our friends and supporters back in the Coachella Valley! With an upgraded, modern website and expanded staff and programming, we are excited to continue meeting the needs of LGBTQ+ people across the Valley as we settle into more comfortable temps.

 

A new season also means an exciting new round of refreshed, unique events, from our monthly socials and bi-monthly women’s socials to Paws & Claus, the Wreath Auction, and, of course, Red Dress/Dress Red 2023. But before we get to that, it's CENTER STAGE time! 

 

Our upcoming CENTER STAGE gala will be held on Friday, October 21, 2022, at the Palm Springs Air Museum amid stunning views of the San Jacinto Mountains and departing planes, dazzlingly catered by the iconic LULU California Bistro. This year's entertainment will include Jennifer Corday, award-winning and out-and-proud lesbian singer/songwriter, and Brian Justin Crum, the top-charting queer singer-songwriter and former America's Got Talent finalist! 

 

This year's theme is TOGETHER WE RISE, a joyous union of solidarity between our LGBTQ+, intersectional and allied communities from Palm Springs to the Salton Sea. In these unprecedented times, we will honor two outstanding organizations making a real difference in our Valley: Jeremy Hobbs of the Western Wind Foundation and Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest. The work of these leaders and organizations, including economic and social development, education, environmental justice, the performing arts, women's healthcare, and reproductive rights, exemplifies our theme not just in words but in action and results.


To address inflation and steep increases in the cost of producing the event, the ticket price for this year's gala has increased from prior years. Please know that we recognize this change is challenging. We have worked diligently to expand our sponsor revenue and reduce costs wherever possible, including lowering the attendee capacity. We are committed to continuing to offer free monthly socials and other opportunities for our community to connect, as well as ensuring our other fundraising events, including Red Dress/Dress Red, remain affordable as possible. We are not alone in facing rising costs for event productions, and we will do everything we can to minimize the impact on our loyal supporters.  


Thank you for believing in our essential work, and I hope to see you next month at CENTER STAGE!

 

Reserve YOUR Center Stage tickets here.

THIS EVENING!

Join us for the next Women's Center Social tonight, Wednesday, September 21, from 5:30pm - 7pm, at El Jefe Desert Cantina in The Saguaro.


All women are welcome, including trans women.

FEATURED PROGRAMS

THE CENTER IS OPEN FOR

IN-PERSON PROGRAMS

Check our website for details and capacity.

UPCOMING EISENHOWER LECTURE

Please join Jim Reed, PT, MHA, DPT, a pelvic floor physical therapist, as he discusses what may be causing these symptoms and what you can do to help restore and maintain healthy pelvic function.


For more info

& to register click here.

THE MALE

PELVIC FLOOR:

UNDERSTANDING INCONTINENCE & PELVIC PAIN

VIA ZOOM

Wednesday, Sept 28

@ 4pm - 5pm


Pelvic floor dysfunction is a common condition that can lead to pain, incontinence or the inability to correctly relax and coordinate the muscles in your pelvic floor to urinate or have a bowel movement. Many men also may have problems having or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction or ED).

LGBTQ+ YOUTH

HANGOUT

TODAY, Sept 21 @ 3pm

@ The Center

Coachella

Hosted by

Tanya Garcia

If you’re between the ages of 11-20 and need a safe space to connect with other LGBTQ+ youth, drop on by for a minute or longer.


For more info email:

tanya@thecentercv.org

For more info

& to register click here.

SPANISH FOR BEGINNERS

10 Week Course

@ The Center PS

Tuesday & Thursdays

@ 10am - 12pm


This 10 week program is intended as an introductory course for absolute beginners in the Spanish language.

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE for BEGINNERS

8 Week Course

Starts Sept, 24

@ The Center PS

Saturdays @ 10am - 11:30am

A beginner's course designed for those with no previous experience in American Sign Language.

For more info

& to register click here.

For more info

& to register click here.

UKULELE

Beginners

10 Week Course

Starts Sept, 24

@ The Center PS

Saturdays @ 12pm - 1pm



This course is designed for intermediate/advanced ukulele players and those with previous music experience.

For more info

& to register click here.

UKULELE

Intermediate/

Advanced

10 Week Course

Starts Sept, 24

@ The Center PS

Saturdays @ 1pm - 2pm



This course is designed for intermediate/advanced ukulele players and those with previous music experience.

GUITAR LESSONS

10 Week Course

Starts Sept, 24

@ The Center PS

Saturdays @ 2pm - 3pm

A course designed for beginners, for those with no previous music experience, and students who have completed Guitar for Beginners!

For more info

& to register click here.

For more info

& to register click here.

BEGINNER/ ADVANCED KNITTING

6 Week Course

Starts Oct, 5

@ The Center PS

Wednesdays @ 6pm - 8pm



Learn how to knit or strengthen your knitting skills in an evening group at The Center.

Next available sessions:

10/11, 10/25, 11/08,

11/28, 12/06 (1 hr. sessions)

For appointments call - 760-281-2616

HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program)

Selected dates available call for appointment

HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program) offers free Medicare Counseling for pre-Medicare, Medicare & Medicare Disabled Beneficiaries.

NEXT WEEK

Come hang out in the gorgeous atrium of the Hyatt Palm Springs on Wednesday, September 28, from 5:30pm - 7pm.


A special thanks to our amazing media partner The Standard Magazine for helping to sponsor this event!

PS ART MUSEUM

DAY TRIP

Queer & Trans* Youth

Encouraged to Join!

Sunday, Sept 25

@ 9am - 1pm

Palm Springs Art Museum Day Trip, free admission, transportation, and lunch provided!


Meeting spots at The Center Coachella & Indio Teen Center @ 9am. Spaces limited.


For more info/RSVP

vbecerra@desertmountains.org

miguel@thecentercv.org

GET A FREE HEALTH
ASSESSMENT FOR
COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Set up an appointment with our Community Health Worker today!


  • Connect with local services to assist with food, housing, jobs, and local programs
  • Get the care you need with a specialized action plan!
  • Participate in a survey to find out about your health


Contact: Jose Campos on

760-281-2616

jose@thecentercv.org


Contacto: Jose Campos

760-281-2616

jose@thecentercv.org

OBTENGA UNA
EVALUACIÓN DE
SALUD GRATUITA
PARA RECURSOS
COMUNITARIOS
¡Agenda una cita con nuestro trabajador de salud comunitario hoy!

  • Conéctese con servicios locales para ayudar con alimentos, vivienda, trabajos y programas locales
  • Obtenga la orientación que necesita para crear un plan de acción especializado
  • Reúnase con nuestro CHW para completar una encuesta personalizada

If you have an idea for a program you'd like to see or perhaps facilitate,

submit a program proposal here!

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH @ THE CENTER
For more info
& to register click here.

TRANS TUESDAYS

VIA ZOOM

Tuesdays @ 6:30pm

Co-Hosted by

Dr. Jill Hingston Ph.D

and Candice Nichols

FREE COUNSELING
FOR THOSE WHO
QUALIFY
Many of us are struggling with depression and isolation right now. You can learn new ways to cope and connect with help from our clinicians. This cognitive-behavioral therapy program for late life depression is at no cost to eligible individual clients age 60 and over. Available via Zoom or in-person in Palm Springs. 
Email Mike Martin for the quickest response at mmartin@thecentercv.org or call for details: 760-416-7790,
press 3.
Facilitated by an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist under the supervision of a licensed therapist.

To register, email

BEREAVEMENT

THERAPY GROUP

Mondays

@ 6pm - 7:30pm

This closed-session group is for those who have lost a loved one and want assistance in dealing with their loss and to talk with others who understand what they are going through.

DIALECTICAL

BEHAVIOR THERAPY

3 x 8 Week Modules

Every Thursday

@ 4pm - 5:30pm

Leaders

Scott Shatsky, AMFT

Christoper Hawkey, Ph.D.

(PSY 30843)

DBT skills teaches 4 skills modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotion regulation. We teach these skills to help as tools in improving one's life.

3 x 8 week modules, or 24 weeks to learn all DBT skills.

Began July 7, with rolling enrollment

every 8 weeks thereafter.


For more info or to enroll, email

Mike Martin or call : 760-416-7790,

press 3.

To register, email

WOMEN LIKE US

Therapeutic Support

Group

Tuesdays

@ 4pm - 5:30pm

Facilitated by

Dr. Ann Engel, ASW

A therapeutic support group for
self-identified women who love women.

LIVING POZ+

Men Living with HIV Weekly In-Person Support Group @ The Center PS

Wednesdays @ 6pm - 7:30pm


This is a closed group. Facilitated by Clay Sterzik, AMFT.


For more info or to enroll, email

Clay Sterzik or call : 760-416-7790,

press 3.

Facilitated by Dr. Jim Early. To register, click here.

PROSTATE CANCER

Support Group

Starts Sept. 27

2nd & 4th Tuesday 

@ 3pm - 4pm

This group is intended for all men from the recently diagnosed to the survivors, facilitated by a gay man who is also a Prostate Cancer survivor.

HEALTH
DAP HEALTH RESPONDS TO THE
MONKEYPOX GLOBAL HEALTH EMERGENCY
On August 1, 2022, DAP Health launched a Monkeypox hotline. 760-656-8432 or MPox@daphealth.org -- operates Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 11:30 am and 1:00 am - 4:00 pm. Those calling after hours will receive recorded information.   

Anybody in the community that wants updated information or who has questions can call the hotline. Anyone who wants to be assessed for access to Monkeypox testing and/or the vaccines will receive the most updated information through this hotline. Click here for info.
Find THE CENTER
virtually @ www.thecentercv.org
and physically at -
The McDonald/Wright Building, 1301 N. Palm Canyon Dr.,
Palm Springs, CA 92262
1515 Sixth Street, Coachella, CA 92236
THE CENTER'S LEGACY CIRCLE
116 FOUNDING MEMBERS
Strengthen Our Community Forever

With a gift through your Will or Living Trust, you can strengthen The Center in permanent ways. It’s an easy option - and bequests offer tremendous planning flexibility. You can prioritize loved ones in whatever ways you choose and still create a future gift to support our LGBTQ+ community.  

To learn more about creating a legacy gift for The Center, please contact Deb Pollock at deb@thecentercv.org or 760-281-2600. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence. 
RESOURCES
All donation drop-offs
are welcome: Tuesdays and Thursdays - 10am to Noon.
Curbside drop off hours:
Thursdays - 5pm to 7pm.
FOOD ITEM
OF THE MONTH
We have urgent need of the following Breakfast items:
  • Cereals
  • Oatmeal
  • Nutritional Bars, etc.
Donated items can also be ordered online through Amazon Smile (you can name the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert as your charity of choice), with delivery to - The Center, 1301 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs CA 92262.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
Every THURSDAY
5pm - 7pm
  • Distribution: Every Thursday 5:00pm to 7:00pm at 610 S. Belardo Rd. in Palm Springs.
  • Outdoor food distribution: drive-thru or walk up.
  • First come, first served.
  • Face mask required for non-vaccinated folks.
  • Bring a picture ID (If available).
We also have need for the following food items -
  • 1 lb. Bag of Rice
  • 1 lb. Bag of Beans
  • Macaroni & Cheese
  • Pasta
  • Ramen/Cup of Noodles
  • Pasta Sauce (Jar or Can)
  • Tomatoes (Can)
  • Green Beans (Can)
  • Corn (Can)
  • Fruit (Can)
  • Cereal
  • Crackers
  • Dog & Cat Food (Dry & Wet)
Simply drive up with your donations, and our friendly staff and volunteers
will gladly unload them for you.


Update 06/23/2022: Effective immediately, registration of new guests for The Community Food Bank at The Center is suspended until further notice.
L-FUND ASSISTANCE
The mission of The L-Fund is to empower lesbians (cis and trans) through financial assistance and grant programs for those in our community who are pursuing educational goals, artists seeking funding, financial support for health and wellness needs, as well as crisis financial support. Apply here.

BINDER PROGRAM

@ The Center Coachella

Our free binder program at The Center Coachella is open to the local *trans, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming/expansive community. This service is completely confidential.


For more information,

contact ares@thecentercv.org

COMMUNITY EVENTS


Are you an LGBTQ+ parent or caregiver with children 13 and younger? Looking for other queer families to connect with in the desert?


Contact proudfamiliescv@gmail.com to get information on upcoming kid-friendly events, participating in the Palm Springs Pride Parade, and more!

¿Eres un padre o cuidador LGBTQ+ con niños menores de 13 años? ¿Buscas otras familias queer para conectarte en el desierto? Ponte en contacto con proudfamiliescv@gmail.com

PROUD FAMILIES CV

HEALTHCARE IN RETIREMENT: 2022 Medicare Cost, Changes and Options.

Tuesday, Sept, 27 @ 6pm

@ The Flannery Exchange


Join OakHeart Financial Group in Palm Springs for a social and seminar where beer, wine and light bites will be provided.


To reserve a spot, please call: 434.220.4671 or email at holly.grimm@ampf.com

6TH ANNUAL EAST VALLEY PRIDE FESTIVAL

Saturday, October 8, 2022, 3-7pm @ The Garden Behind The Public Library in Coachella.


"Fighting for our existence, being in resistance."


"Luchando por nuestra existencia, estando en resistencia."



For more info email:

ares@thecentercv.org

DESERT AIDS WALK 2022 | OCTOBER 29

We are walking and raising funds for DAP HEALTH’s 2022 Desert AIDS Walk; walk, out loud!


The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert is proud to partner with DAP Health and Desert AIDS Walk 2022 to advance LGBTQ+ health equity in the Coachella Valley. The Desert AIDS Walk brings our diverse community together in a powerful statement of solidarity, action, and resolve. The Walk reminds us that the LGBTQ+ community continues to be disproportionately affected by HIV and that all LGBTQ+ people deserve dignity, equity in healthcare access, and to live long, healthy lives. -Rob Wheeler, Executive Director and CEO


To walk with the team, please register as a walker then join our team; TEAM CENTER, then begin your fundraising by encouraging family, friends, acquaintances, and the like to donate to your page/Team Center!


For questions, contact Charles at charles@thecentercv.org; 760-281-2606

PALS seniors and future seniors. Planning ahead before a health issue requires connections. Come join the conversations.

PALS Circle Via ZOOM

Wednesdays @ 4pm - 5pm

While the PALS Café is on hiatus during July, August, and September, why not try PALS Circle? It's an informal, weekly drop-in for connection, support, and planning ahead before a health issue. There is no agenda, no topic, no facilitator - it's like getting together at grandma's house every week.


Zoom link here.

READY, SET,
GO!
Palm Springs
PRIDE 5K
RUN & WALK
2022
Saturday, November 5 

Registration is OPEN for the

Palm Springs Pride 5K Run & Walk, Saturday, November 5 

through beautiful Old Las Palmas neighborhood.


Visit palmspringspriderun.com for all the deets!

All proceeds go to The Center and the Transgender Health and Wellness Center!


So much gratitude to our amazing friends, the Palm Springs Front Runners & Walkers, for their support, partnership, and impact in our communities.

The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert
1301 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262
1515 Sixth Street, Coachella, CA 92236

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