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Welcome to the second half of 2020. We're holding out hope for more laughter, joy, comfort, and feelings of safety... or holding on tightly to those moments when we do feel them.
Meanwhile, we're also reflecting and thinking about what we've collectively gone through the past 3+ months. Where are you (emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually) today compared to March? Reflect back to your own experience during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic response.
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Overall, do you feel better or worse than you did during those days?
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About the same/Unsure/Other
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Thanks for your participation. We'll report back the results next week.
Last week we were inspired by our CEO Mike's final letter before his sabbatical, and asked the question: Do you have something in your life that supports your Being?
We had nearly 87% of folks who said yes, and about 13% who said no. We invite you to check out some of the offerings below to support your Being.
If you find yourself having needs not being met, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., if we can help. Or, let us know if you have ideas for poll questions we can include in our newsletter in the coming weeks.
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For the next five weeks, we'll be sharing a letter from each of The Center's Department Heads.
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I’ve often framed this pandemic within the lens of the Stages of Grief. Historically, the Stages of Grief have included five general categories: denial, bargaining, anger, depression, and acceptance. I know I have experienced all of these—sometimes in the same week, sometimes within the span of a single day, and on particularly hard days, it has felt like all of these are on spin cycle in my head in the same hour. There’s no sugar-coating it, this experience has been hard. Really hard.
A sixth stage was more recently added to Stages of Grief, and is that of meaning. Meaning, within the Stages of Grief, refers to finding some peace and hope in this experience. Many times I have asked myself, “Why is this happening now? What are we supposed to learn from this?” And while I continue to struggle with the loss of “normal” life, I’ve made a conscious decision to pay attention to the changes that are happening around me that feel good and hopeful.
In Zoom groups, I have seen people willing to be open and vulnerable with people they’ve never met in person. The Center’s transgender group has tripled in size since the first Zoom meeting. People are reaching out. People are saying what they need. Conversations about long-overdue, needed, and necessary change are happening in a variety of spaces. As much as this grief process will continue to cycle as we navigate through this pandemic and our chaotic world, people are looking for connections, finding them, and understanding that we can’t do this alone.
So much of our mission and work at The Center is about reaching out and making connections. I have always felt privileged to be part of this organization, and I'm so grateful The Center is here--for me too.
Dr. Jill Hingston, LMFT, Health Psychologist
Director of Behavioral Health
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A new series of Eisenhower Health @ Home starts next week! Check out the topics for the summer below, and join us most Wednesdays on Zoom.
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Join us and get the facts on colon cancer screening: who should have it, what are the different ways to screen for colon cancer, and when should you be screened.
Meeting ID: 975 8966 4971
No Meeting Password
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Upcoming topics
August 12: Communication challenges when wearing face masks
August 19:Understanding the Basics of diabetes, nutrition, and common myths.
August 26: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly: Opiates, Pain and Addiction
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New Offerings Starting Next Week
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Zumba for Beginners with Shaun
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After a successful Facebook Live Zumba session, Shaun gets into the groove on Zoom for weekly Zumba sessions starting this Monday, July 6th at 10AM.
Meeting ID: 860 8050 5623
No Meeting Password
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Conversational Spanish (Intermediate & Advanced)
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Need to brush up on your Español? Join this weekly Tuesday conversational Spanish group. Starts July 7, 2020 at 2PM.
Meeting ID: 818 5634 6717
No Meeting Password
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Long-Term Survivors Support Group
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The next session of the Long-term Survivors Support Group for Gay Men Living HIV and AIDS starts via HIPAA-compliant Zoom calls next Wednesday, July 8th. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to sign up.
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Community Food Bank @ The Center
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The Community Food Bank @ The Center located at 610 S Belardo Rd, Palm Springs is open for distribution every Thursday from 5PM - 7PM.
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COVID-19: Locations to Get Tested
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In support of the Movement for Black Lives
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In collaboration with Destination PSP, you can give virtual hugs to your loved ones with these shirts and hats. Proceeds benefit The Center, whose mission is creating vibrant community by helping LGBTQ people along their way and offers essential services, including the Community Food Bank and Behavioral Health Clinic @ The Center.
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Write that Memoir with Ronni!
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Have you always wanted to write your story, but just didn’t have the time or support? How about having both right now? This may be a good time to finally let your story fly!
AFFORDABLE ($35 for all four sessions), EASY (Ronni walks you through the process), EFFECTIVE (you'll have a good jump-start on your memoir!) Register NOW for July. Four easy sessions, one low price of $35. Really! A portion of your registration fee will be donated to the Center.
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Positive Life Series
6:00 PM, Tuesday, July 7, 2020
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Dr. Dave Grelotti & Brook Henry will speak on cannabis research at UCSD's HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center.
Let the organizers know if you will require an ASL interpreter. Email questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Sponsored by HIV+Aging Research Project-Palm Springs.
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Coachella Valley COVID-19 Needs Assessment
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To understand some of these changes and the impact of COVID-19, HARC is launching a COVID-19 Needs Assessment Survey on June 10th to inform the health needs of the Coachella Valley.
The survey is online, 100% anonymous, takes about 10 minutes, and four lucky winners will get a $100 Visa card. The survey closes on July 4th.
HARC will be providing the results to the community for free so that we can all learn from it and provide more targeted services.
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Talking About Race Matters: For Gay Men
6:30PM - 8:00PM , Tuesday, July 14, 2020
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The Black Lives Matter protests have led to some difficult personal conversations as we all grapple with a "new normal" in race relations. These conversations might be especially difficult for gay men, who may empathize in being victims of discrimination but who may also just be becoming aware of systemic racism or how to talk about it. The California Men's Gathering, Desert Cities Chapter is sponsoring an online seminar to look at how to make those conversations candid, productive and meaningful. Jeffon Seely and Joe Hooper have spent the last two months engaged in weekly online conversations about race. They will share their insights during this session designed specifically for gay men.
Questions or for further information contact Lorenzo Taylor at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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In a time when many nonprofits and organizations have announced lay-offs, reduction in staff, or early retirements, we are privileged to maintain all our staff, and even add a new person to our team -- thanks to our community's support, our donors and YOU!
With that, we wanted to be sure you've seen the announcement of our lastest addition: Volunteer & Outreach Manager, Charles Huff!
Charles comes to The Center with a non-profit spirit and experience that dates back to his time in San Francisco as a volunteer, staff, and board member, and that habit continued here in Palm Springs with 5+ years at Desert AIDS Project as Volunteer Program Manager.
Before he crossed over full-time to this special type of care for community, he served two City & County of San Francisco Treasurers’ as Banking Operations Manager, after serving as a manager of banking operations for several different banking institutions for over 20 years. He also brings with him fond memories an early employee of the Recreation & Parks Department who began the clean-up efforts to create the AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park, honoring our community’s history and legacy through that work.
And Charles fits perfectly into The Center’s fun spirit with his early years of being an aspiring performer, and his delicious singing voice.
Now, The Center, and in particular, our extended family – our volunteers! – will get to experience his very special spirit as part of our very vibrant community.
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