The Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our Center was formed to be a space where people find affirmation, acceptance, and social connections. We find that many folks feel relief when they participate in activities with other LGBTQ persons, but still feel isolated and have a profound sense of loneliness in much of their lives. Using this feedback as a guideline, we developed our program, Reducing Isolation through Support and Empowerment (RISE). The purpose of the RISE program is to offer LGBTQ+ persons techniques to learn healthy coping skills, increase support through groups and direct counseling interventions, and decrease negative responses to environmental stressors. We also provide education to our wider community about how to provide an affirming environment for LGBTQ+ people where they live, work, and play.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Gender Rebels and Bi/Pan+ Support Workshops
These multi-week support workshops are curriculum-based and designed to provide attendees new insight into their own sexual orientation and gender identity. Facilitators guide each workshop to ensure that participants experience a safe and supportive environment. Participants experience a sense of community and better understanding about themselves and how to access local resources.
Cultural Competency Training
This program provides training for healthcare providers, social service agencies, law enforcement, and businesses in how to provide affirming care and services for LGBTQ persons. Topics detail differences between sexual orientation and gender identity, and why using appropriate pronouns are important for connecting with many LGBTQ persons.
Counseling and Advocacy Services
Counseling and Advocacy services are available to LGBTQ persons, family members and friends to support understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity, help individuals build self-esteem and confidence, and help lessen feelings of anxiety and depression. All counseling and advocacy services are free of charge.
Affirming Events and Groups across our Diverse Community
These events and groups include social and educational opportunities for all members of our diverse LGBTQIA2S+ community. Our "Know Your Rights" series help clarify laws and protections for community members. The Center hosts the “Name and Gender Correction Clinic" to assist trans, non-binary, or gender expansive community members who would like to change their legal name or gender marker. Various social events including professional networking, karaoke, and game time help create a better sense of community in our safe spaces; while educational events help LGBTQIA2S+ persons and allies learn more about our diverse community. Two new offerings include a monthly virtual social space for QTBIPOC folks to gather in a joyful community emphasizing holistic wellness and uplifting their cultures, and another virtual space for those on the Aro/Ace (Asexual and/or Aromantic) spectrum to share space and build community.
Youth and Young Adult programming
Creating a safe space for youth and young adults that supports and affirms their identity and true self. Offerings include in-person youth gatherings – chosen-family picnics, Game Nights, crafting; staff- moderated Youth Discord Server open hours to connect with others and build community; facilitator-led “Emotions & You” workshop; Clothing Swap for trans- and gender-affirming attire; outreach to high school SAGA (Straight & Gay Alliance) groups offering information on Center programming and services; empowerment of the Youth and Young Adult community voice through the Youth Council Advisory Board for recommendations to The Center on programming, events and outreach.
Where we work
External reviews
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
• Provide safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people and allies to find community, education, and resources.
• Support LGBTQ+ individuals in developing better self-esteem and resiliency in their day to day lives.
• Provide specific services for the most marginalized members of the LGBTQ+ community, including transgender and gender non-conforming persons, bisexual and pansexual+ persons, youth, and seniors.
• Create a more affirming community-wide environment for LGBTQ+ persons when they access mental and medical health care or other consumer services.
• Provide services throughout our large (8,100 sq. ft.) county.
• Increase awareness of, and advocacy for, the needs of LGBTQ+ persons in our community.
• To support the intersectionality within our diverse community by recognizing the additional impacts of race, ethnicity, faith, class, income, physical and mental abilities among LGBTQ+ persons.
• Improve organizational sustainability by strengthening operations and infrastructure.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
• Maintain safe physical spaces where LGBTQ+ persons can access information and resources.
• Educate the wider community about the needs of LGBTQ+ persons and how to provide affirming services.
• Create safe school environments for all LGBTQ+ children through education, advocacy, and intervention.
• Travel throughout our county on a weekly basis to provide training to local providers and support services for LGBTQ+ persons in less-populated areas.
• Provide specific services for Latinx and African American/Black LGBTQ+ persons.
• Provide family services for parents, siblings, and friends of LGBTQ+ persons.
• Advocate for system change where needed in law enforcement, housing, medical, and social services.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The Center was the first LGBTQ+ organization to establish a physical community presence in 2011 and was awarded a prestigious grant from the California Reducing Disparities Project in 2016. This grant allowed us to add paid staff to our fully-engaged Board of Directors and our strong and growing volunteer team and to expand our services. We serve over 2,000 people per year through our many programs and services.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
During our first five years, we logged just over 1,000 Center visitors per year. In the past year, that number has doubled to over 2,000 visitors each year.
We have provided eleven support workshops over the past 18 months serving 136 unique participants.
One hundred persons have received individual counseling services, and we average 51 client counseling sessions per month.
An average of 170 events and activities are provided in our facilities each year.
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more
about GuideStar Pro.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
The Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity
Board of directorsas of 09/09/2023
Emily Fisher
Aera Energy, LLC
Term: 2023 - 2024
Cindy Smith
Retired
Emily Fisher
Aera Energy, LLC
Anthony Valdez
City of Bakersfield
Anne-Marie Hodge
Bakersfield College
Alyssa Olivera
The Open Door Network
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? No -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.