From the
VC Reporterhttp://www.vcreporter.com/cms/story/detail/letters/11058/LGBTQ services are here!I was offended when I read your opinion piece that was written in your May 16 issue: "LGBT youth in need of tailored community resources" by Ruben Ramirez. Obviously, Ramirez did not do his research. As the founder and director of James Cosper Stepping Stone/Ventura County LGBTQ+ Center, I want to let everyone know there are services here in Ventura County and actually opened the day after the former center closed. We currently work out of donated space in Camarillo and Ventura, but have a huge fundraiser coming up in August, the River Trail AIDS Ride and Health/Service Expo to raise money for our own building and bring back all of the AIDS services that were provided by the former center and more.
As part of our health fair, we will be having a mass marriage by an ordained minister; just come with a license and participate in something that is going to be history making. We currently have a 24-hour support line for people to call and talk about what is bothering them, 1-855-U-MATTER, free counseling services, and support groups, and a youth group that meets every Wednesday afternoon.
WE also do sensitivity training and other types of trainings that deal with LGBTQ+ issues. We have personal advocacy for court, doctors, getting county services, and any issue that people feel they need support for. We currently have agreements with Ventura County Schools and Ventura County Public Health. We are also a source for homeless court, so people can complete their community service hours. We are a nonprofit 501-c community service company, and all of our funding comes from personal donations, and community support. So as you can plainly see, there are services here in Ventura County, and those services will only be expanded upon, not go away.
Christine Cortez (Executive Director)
James Cosper Stepping Stone/Ventura County LGBTQ+ Center
