San Francisco Community Health Center Awarded Grant from Gilead to Advance Health Equity Efforts for Black Transgender Women and Girls
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contact:
Diana Lieu, dlieu@sfcommunityhealth.org
San Francisco Community Health Center Awarded Grant from Gilead to Advance Health Equity Efforts for Black Transgender Women and Girls
SAN FRANCISCO, February 29, 2024 — San Francisco Community Health Center (SFCHC) is proud to announce that it has been selected as a grant recipient by Gilead Sciences under its latest funding initiative aimed at supporting HIV prevention, anti-stigma efforts, and health equity for Black women and girls. Gilead's commitment to fostering initiatives that address critical health disparities aligns with SFCHC's mission to provide comprehensive, compassionate, and affirming care to historically marginalized communities.
"We are honored and grateful to receive this grant from Gilead, which will roll out our model of care to other organizations to transform healthcare delivery and accessibility for Black transgender women and girls around the country," said Lance Toma, CEO of San Francisco Community Health Center. "This funding advances our work in building a movement for trans-centered and trans-led health care innovation and social justice."
SFCHC will utilize the grant to launch the innovative program "EmpowerHer." The vision of EmpowerHer is to create a health care landscape where Black transgender individuals can access services that are not only sensitive to their unique needs but are also affirming of their identities. Central to the program is building capacity for other communities around the country to provide SHE Boutique. SHE Boutique is a pioneering, evidence-based initiative aimed at providing a supportive and inclusive space for Black transgender women and girls through a one-stop shop for clothing, community, and health and wellness. The program offers trans folks an array of fashion, accessories, beauty products, HIV testing and counseling, sexual health education, and linkage to care.
In addition to supporting the establishment of SHE Boutique around the country, SFCHC will leverage the grant to spearhead national advocacy efforts aimed at securing funding and expanding access to trans-centered programs and services. Furthermore, SFCHC will engage in policy work to address the dangerous and life-threatening anti-trans legislation we see in many parts of our nation and fight for the rights of our trans community.
Our work is structured around core principles of community-led design, evidence-based practices, and intersectional approaches. Through the project, we will ensure that each phase contributes to building a model that can be replicated and scaled, and include a robust, web-based resource hub.
"We believe that EmpowerHer will be a powerful and transformative force. Our Black trans community is incredibly resilient, but we don't want to have to always be resilient—we want to thrive. We want to live our lives free from stigma and discrimination. We work to build the just world we envision," added Tatyana Moaton, Director of Strategic Innovation and Partnerships at San Francisco Community Health Center.
For more information about San Francisco Community Health Center, please visit www.sfcommunityhealth.org.
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