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Volunteer ››
HOMETOWN Safed, Israel
GET TO KNOW CENTER STAFF MEMBERS & VOLUNTEERS
YEAR STARTED AT THE CENTER 2001 VOLUNTEER POSITION Cultural Arts/ Special Events
I FEEL LIKE THE CENTER IS MY SECOND HOME, MY SECOND FAMILY.
I have volunteered at hundreds of events over the years, including most shows, plays, and musical events at the Renberg Theatre and the Davidson/Valentini Theatre (both at the Center’s Village at Ed Gould Plaza). This has enriched my life in so many ways and allowed me to gain insight into a variety of things that occur behind the scenes when putting on a major event or show. I love talking to people, meeting people. I’m really interested in them and I’m a good listener. It’s important to be friendly, welcoming, and to help ensure people have a good time. I feel like I’m kind of hosting. The Center is like my second home, my second family. When people come here I want to make sure they feel welcome. I just feel proud to be associated with a center like this one. The pride and joy I feel at the end of my volunteer shift often stays with me for days. LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT’S ON THE CENTER’S STAGES AT LALGBTCENTER.ORG/THEATRE READY TO VOLUNTEER? GET STARTED AT LALGBTCENTER.ORG/VOLUNTEER
Staff ››
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CAMERON VARNEY HOMETOWN Whittier, CA YEAR STARTED AT THE CENTER 2016 STAFF POSITION Program Coordinator at Trans Wellness Center
CAMERON VARNEY
THE CENTER WAS ALWAYS A BEACON OF HOPE. Growing up in Los Angeles in a conservative Christian family, the Center was always a beacon of hope for me. Once I was out on my own, I was able to pursue transitioning and nine years ago sought services at the Center as a client. In the fall of 2015, I attended the Center’s Trans Job Fair. I was hired a few months later as a health education specialist then later became a benefits navigator, which meant I was helping people figure out their health insurance options. Becoming an employee felt like coming full circle. I was able to provide better client care because I knew exactly what it was like on their side of things. I applied for my job at the Trans Wellness Center as soon as it was posted. I want to help make sure the community knows we are there for them. Some of the most rewarding interactions I have had are with our most vulnerable populations, including trans sex workers. I was able to help some of them get on PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) as a way to help prevent HIV transmission. This is critical because the trans community is so overrepresented in new cases of HIV. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TRANS WELLNESS CENTER AT MYTRANSWELLNESS.ORG Summer 2018
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