Advocacy
Effective advocacy enables individuals and organizations to shape public debate on important issues. It also ensures that we have a voice in the policies that impact our daily lives. In 2017, LGBTQ+ community centers and other nonprofits across the nation came together with CenterLink to form ActionLink: The Center Action Network.
Connectedness 2 Community
This 5-year project seeks to address disparities in LGBTQ+ people’s experience and access to Tulare County mental health systems of care. This is the first of its kind MHSA funded LGBTQ+ focused project in our area. Through research, education, and advocacy, The Source LGBT+ Center is working as an expert and cultural broker to create more affirming systems for LGBTQ+ consumers.
IHHEEL Policy Platform
The San Joaquin Valley Health Fund Policy Platform guides the work of community partner organizations to improve health and well-being by advancing programs and policy changes that promote community health and health equity for all. The Source is in year 5 of this work and focuses on access to care for LGBTQ+ individuals, SOGI data collection, and accountability to existing state protections.
LGBTQ+ Health Access
Using the Healthcare Equality Index as a benchmark tool, The Source LGBT+ Center has worked with local FQHC’s to advocate for best practices policies, cultural competency trainings, and authentic inclusion to create safer health access for LGBTQ+ people. We now have 2 healthcare providers listed on the HRC’s HEI including, Family Health Care Network and Tulare County Public Health.
LGBTQ+ Inclusive Communities
The Source LGBT+ Center works closely with our City leaders to create a more inclusive and accepting community. Each year, Visalia is rated by the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipality Equality Index and has raised its score consistently over the past 5 years.
#Out4MentalHealth Task Force
#Out4MentalHealth Task Forces support local community members and organizations with engaging in LGBTQ Mental Health Advocacy at the county, state, and federal levels. Each Task Force is led by local community members and organizations and is open to everyone interested in advocating for LGBTQ Mental Health Equity.
#O4MH Tulare County Convening
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
MAT Access Points Project
The project creates a community of practice that lifts up and makes available racially and culturally responsive population-based and place-based approaches for California’s most underserved communities. The Source LGBT+ Center provides education and support to LGBTQ+ communities through visibility campaigns, training, and referals to address opioid use disorder and stimulant use disorder in LGBTQ+ communities.
Stimulant Use Prevention: LGBTQ+ Communities
Through awareness campaigns, educational materials, relapse prevention groups, a speaker series, and referrals, The Source is addressing stimulant use disorder in our community by providing culturally appropriate prevention, education, and support.
Elevate Youth LGBTQ+ Voices
The Source LGBT+ Center is proud to partner with Elevate Youth California to provide prevention programs, support groups, youth activities, Queer Creative’s Camp, and more. Elevating leaders in underserved communities of color and LGBTQ+ youth who seek change for their peers, their community and themselves. This statewide program prioritizes youth leadership in under-resourced communities harmed by the War on Drugs.
Queer Creatives Camp
Queer Creatives Camp is the first of its kind arts, media, and maker camp for LGBTQ+ kiddos in the Central Valley. We work with local filmmakers, poets, artists, and performers to host skills-building workshops for youth. Creativity is power.
Coalition Work
Local
SJVHF Policy Committee
TCHHSA Access To Care
VUSD Common Ground Task Force
Suicide Prevention Task Force
MHSA Cultural Competency Committee
HIV Care Committee
Porterville College Disability Resource Center Advisory Committee
State
The California Endowment
California LGBTQ HHS Network
Office of AIDS Steering Committee
EQCA Safe and Supportive Schools
Out Against Big Tobacco
National
Arcus Foundation
Center Link Network of LGBT Centers
AIDS United
Actionlink