PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 5, 2007
Contact: Luke Woodward
Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center
Tel: (415) 292-3420 ext 337
TTY: (415) 292-3410 Fax: (415) 292-3404
TRANS-THRIVE Opens Door of New Location
San Francisco, CA - TRANS:THRIVE, a drop-in center for the transgender community will open the doors of its new location on Wednesday , November 7, 2007. The drop-in center is the result of the collaborative effort between the San Francisco Department of Public Health, Community Behavioral Health Services, and the Asian Pacific Islander (A&PI) Wellness Center to continue services for the transgender community. The TRANS:THRIVE drop-in center is a health education program of the A&PI Wellness Center. The program’s new location is at 815 Hyde Street, 2nd Floor. The Official Open House will be on November 16th from 2pm to 5pm. It will feature a traditional Hawaiian ceremonial blessing by hula master, Kawika Alfiche, Director of Aloha Pumehana ‘O Polynesian Hawaiian Culture Center. Following the blessing, there will be a dance performance, brief video screening, and several speakers from the community. TRANS: THRIVE invites the public and the greater transgender community to help them celebrate the grand opening.
The primary goal of the TRANS:THRIVE, which stands for Transgender Resources and Neighborhood Space (TRANS), and Transgender Health & Resource Initiative for Vital Empowerment (THRIVE), is to eliminate health disparities affecting transgender communities of color. TRANS:THRIVE provides support groups, case management, harm reduction training, life skills education, shower facilities, as well as referrals and linkages to substance use treatment programs.
Recently, the program conducted its first volunteer training. Volunteers are already staffing the front desk, assisting with outreach efforts, and supporting the workshops. One participant said, “TRANS:THRIVE is a place of sanctuary for me and a much needed center for transgender community support!” and “I hope that TRANS:THRIVE will be the intersection where all transgender individuals from all walks of life can meet in a safe and serene environment.”
A&PI Wellness Center is nationally and locally known for providing vital services to marginalized and stigmatized communities of color, including the transgender community. While A&PI Wellness Center already has a successful transgender empowerment program, it will remain separate and distinct from TRANS:THRIVE. Carlos Bermudez, Director of Health Education at A&PI Wellness Center expressed the agency’s enthusiasm about overseeing the new project, “I’m so proud to be a part of this project and I am confident A&PI Wellness Center’s experience and expertise will make it a success.”
A&PI Wellness Center’s mission is to educate, support, empower and advocate for A&PI communities, particularly A&PIs living with, or at risk for, HIV/AIDS. A&PI Wellness center is the oldest and largest nonprofit in North America focusing on sexual health and HIV/AIDS in A&PI communities. This year, A&PI Wellness will be celebrating twenty years of service. With three sites in the San Francisco Bay Area and a staff fluent in 20 languages, A&PI Wellness Center delivers programs regionally, statewide, and nationally, and collaborates with community-based organizations throughout the Asia Pacific Region.
For more information about TRANS:THRIVE contact Luke Woodward at 415-292-3420 ext337 or at luke@apiwellness.org
A&PI Wellness Center can provide quotes, information and contacts on local, state and national issues. We can address gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender health issues, as well as additional issues affecting all our communities. We can also provide guests for radio and TV to speak about A&PI Wellness in general and/or address specific current events. Please contact us with your needs.
Contact Joseph Cavan at joseph@apiwellness.org or 415-292-3420 x330
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