The San Joaquin Pride Center in Stockton, a vital resource for the LGBTQ community, is facing a financial crisis after one of its largest grants ended a year early due to changes in federal funding. Previously, the center received $400,000 grant over a two-year period funded by the California Department of Health Care Services and administered by The Center at Sierra Health Foundation, but the funding was cut short by a year.
“For 10 years, the state has invested in over 50 nonprofits to do this work. We have shown that our work is effective. We have reports and data showing that we’re making a difference… It just seems like a poor use of public funds,” said Josh Alita of the San Joaquin Pride Center.
The center is also dealing with an unexpected gap between the end of previous funding and the availability of new funding.
“In some cases, we haven’t even been told we could apply yet because it’s not ready, so the delay of the state funding, the Proposition One changes, and the federal kind of crackdown have all come down together to make this situation more difficult for us,” Alita said.
The center has enough funds to operate through October, but its future beyond that remains uncertain. To address the shortfall, the center has launched a fundraiser with the goal of raising $200,000 in bridge funding to sustain its services into next year.
“There’s not enough people to serve people who have mental health issues, and when it comes to LGBTQ people, there are even fewer counselors and therapists who are culturally competent in the needs and understanding the backgrounds of the community,” Alita said.
For Stockton resident Jose Alexis Razo, the center has been a criticalcouple of months ago
“I feel like I’m being understood by the therapy that I’m getting here, and they understand my struggle versus just going to, say, a regular therapist that doesn’t know anything about that. So I feel like I’m able to heal a lot better and talk about things that affect me as a gay man,” Razo said.
The center has stated that mental health counseling would be among the first services at risk if additional funding cannot be secured.
The California Department of Health Care Services said it is reviewing applications submitted in response to a new request for applications that reflects an all-inclusive approach for funding opportunities. The department noted that this approach is based on federal guidance requiring inclusive access to all qualified individuals.
You can donate to the pride center here.
See more coverage of top California stories here|Download our app|Subscribe to our morning newsletter|Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel|Make KCRA a preferred news
