TRANS:THRIVE Says Goodbye to Luke Woodward; Welcomes Tita Aida!

April 1 was a bittersweet day for TRANS:THRIVE (TT) and the A&PI Wellness Center family. Luke Woodward, the TT Program Manager, said goodbye to pursue a Master’s of Social Work at Smith College. Replacing Luke is Nikki “Tita Aida” Calma, one of A&PI Wellness Center’s longest serving staff members.

“It has been such an honor to have this opportunity to serve the Trans community,” said Luke in announcing his departure. “I love being a part of such a courageous, resilient and beautifully unique group of people, and I am so inspired by our individual and community struggles for justice.”

Nikki has been a leading figure in both the San Francisco LGBT and A&PI communities, as well as leader of our Asian & Pacific Islander Transgender Empowerment (ATE) Program. “I am excited and thrilled that I’ve been given this opportunity to build on the great foundation that Luke has established, using my years of HIV/AIDS community work and activism.”

With Nikki’s move to TT, A&PI Wellness Center will house all its transgender programs under one roof. Carlos Bermudez, Director of Health Education, is confident that TT will continue to grow. “With Nikki’s new position, TT becomes the place to go for holistic and comprehensive services that support the transgender community.”

Nikki and TT staff will hold a community open house towards the end of April to announce her new role and the ATE Program’s move to 815 Hyde Street. Please check the www.transthrive.org for more details.