Center for Community Solutions

Repost from @ccs_prevents Instagram Today is the start of #TeenDatingViolenceAwarenessMonth2021 ! @ccs_prevents, @syhteenclinic, and @youthnews_sdys are teaming up to share healthy relationships content with you every Wednesday of the month. This month, we’re asking everyone to take 2 minutes to sign our TDVAM 2021 Pledge to treat our partners with equality and respect. Sign the pledge at tinyurl.com/TDVAM2021Pledge (link in bio).... For more information and resources about everything we’re doing for TDVAM, check out our toolkit at tinyurl.com/TDVAM2021Toolkit (link in bio). All 3 of our orgs are a part of the Teen Dating Violence Committee of the San Diego Domestic Violence council. The TDV Committee has representation from partners all over San Diego county, including non-profits, government agencies, education professionals, the SD City Attorney’s Office, and invested community members. To contact the TDV Committee, email us at [email protected].

Today, the youngest inaugural poet in United States history reminded us that this country’s youth can be our most insightful teachers, most loving leaders, and most hopeful voices. On this Inauguration Day, Amanda Gorman’s words add brightness and hope to CCS’ steadfast mission to end sexual and relationship violence: We seek harm to none and harmony for all Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true: That even as we grieved, we grew... That even as we hurt, we hoped That even as we tired, we tried This Inauguration Day has special meaning for CCS and our continuing work. The swearing in of the first woman and first woman of Black and South Asian descent as Vice President of the United States is a milestone. The swearing in of the co-author of the historic Violence Against Women Act of 1994, as our 46th President, offers CCS a chance to renew our commitment to serving survivors of sexual and relationship trauma with respect and humility. On this Inauguration Day, we thank the survivors who have long inspired us with their commitment to hope and healing in their personal journeys. We thank our supporters and staff for lifting up that hope and healing by their engagement with us on this journey. A diverse group of individuals CAN unify, not only around democratic ideals, but around the values embodied in a focus on non-violence and safety for all. And finally, on this Inauguration Day, we honor the countless young people who come to CCS for help or to lead efforts to support others. Thank you for teaching the rest of us the power of openness, love, and optimism. Thank you for reminding us that our nation and each of us individually is never completely broken, but rather, as Amanda Gorman tells us, we are simply unfinished.

Center for Community Solutions is planning for our future and we need your input. Please answer a brief anonymous survey so that we have your perspective. Our survey closes on January 21 at noon! CCS Community Survey http://bit.ly/CCSSDSurvey Thank you in advance for sharing your insights and investing in the future success of CCS programs that help to end relationship and sexual violence in our communities. ... P.S. Enter your name at the end of the survey for a chance to win a $100 Amazon Card

We are hiring! Are you interested in supporting survivors of sexual and relationship violence live healthier and more fulfilled lives? Center for Community Solutions is the place for you! Our team consists of individuals specifically trained in areas of clinical services, case management, crisis intervention, family law, victim advocacy, education, community outreach, residential support, counseling, and a variety of administrative services. We have worksites across the County, including our three main business offices located in East County, North County and Pacific Beach. To learn more about CCS’ current career opportunities, please visit our careers page: https://www.ccssd.org/who-we-are/careers.html

Join the global giving movement and help CCS support survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence and sexual assault. In the past year, nearly 19,000 San Diegans received healing and prevention services through CCS. The current pandemic has made this year one of the most challenging in our history. Calls to the CCS crisis hotline have surged by a stunning 64% since March 2020, and we are meeting record need with reduced resources. We are asking the community to conside...r end-of-year giving to support our work. Will you help us? To give to CCS or easily set up your own giving page to share with friends and family please visit: https://bit.ly/CCSGivingTuesday2020. Every dollar will make a difference and help us change and save lives. Please share this post on your social media, and if you’ve just contributed to CCS, let others know! Thank you for supporting our mission and bringing hope and healing to our community. See more

DID YOU KNOW. . . If you’re already an Amazon shopper, you can use Amazon Smile for your orders to benefit CCS. This is an official charitable program of Amazon and is just a feature you need to activate. There’s no cost to you but a benefit to CCS if you select us as your charity. Set up is quick and easy: 1. Sign in to your Amazon or Amazon Prime account as you normally would 2. Click on this Amazon Smile link to select CCS as your charity: https://amzn.to/3q8I2MY 3. Start shopping. Your Amazon or Amazon Prime account is connected to your Amazon Smiles account. Same User ID and password. Same cart. Same prices. No charge to you. Each time you order through Amazon Smile, the folks at Amazon donate a percentage of your purchase to CCS.

In this season of gratitude, we want to reflect on the many ways you have been at our side during some of the most challenging times in our organization’s history. Center for Community Solutions has been meeting record need for critical services with reduced resources during the coronavirus pandemic. Your commitment and generosity are allowing us to continue our important work to help some of San Diego’s most vulnerable and to advance our mission to end relationship and sexual violence. Please accept our warmest thanks for your support!

CCS honors the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and we celebrate our countless supporters on this national day of service. Thank you for joining us today and every day in our mission to help others and for bringing us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community.

Raise a Cup for CCS is tomorrow November 18, 2020! We hope you can join us for this virtual celebration of hope and healing! Our online auction is now open! Every bid supports critical CCS programs that help to end relationship and sexual violence. All proceeds go to CCS, so everyone's a winner! Any registered guest can participate, whether you register for a complimentary ticket or pay for a virtual ticket, table, or sponsorship. For more information and to register please visit https://bit.ly/RaiseACupForCCS

Great Music! Great Cause. And it's Free! Raise a Cup for CCS! Please join on us for on November 18 for a celebration of hope and healing. Just choose the Complimentary Ticket option to attend for FREE and we’ll send you the link the day before the event: https://bit.ly/RaiseACupForCCS ... Tune in starting as early as 3:30 for great live music by Back To The Garden. The program itself is from 4-5pm and will include messages from CCS volunteers, supporters, and our CEO. Back To The Garden will stay for more live music after the program ends. Hope to have you with us!

*for English see below* ¿!Le gusta platicar u opinar sobre las relaciones!? ¡Regístrese y venga a platicar con nosotros sobre las relaciones saludables! Todo lo que necesita saber:... - Los talleres serán de 4-5 pm el 16, 23, 30 de noviembre y 7 de diciembre. - Los temas de los talleres serán sobre las relaciones saludables, el consentimiento y los l ímites, las normas sociales y como ser un intervencionista. - Los talleres son para personas entre las edades de 13 a 23. - Puede asistir un taller o los cuatro! - Las personas que asistan los 4 talleres recibirán un certificado. - Todos los talleres serán en español. Para registrarse por favor use este enlace: https://tinyurl.com/ccs-talleres2020. ¡Esperamos conocerlos virtualmente! -- Do you like talking about relationships? Register for a workshop and come talk to us about healthy relationships! Everything you need to know: - Workshops will be 4-5 pm on November 16, 23, 30 and December 7. - Workshop topics include healthy relationships, consent and boundaries, unpacking social norms, and bystander intervention. - Workshops are open to folx ages 13-24. - You can attend one or all four workshops. - Everyone who attends all 4 workshops will receive a certificate. - Workshops will be held in Spanish. To register, please use this link: https://tinyurl.com/ccs-talleres2020.

We are already almost halfway to our goal of raising $150,000, but we still need your help! Please support Raise a Cup for CCS through sponsorships, tables, and tickets for our virtual gathering on November 18. Unable to join us but still want to help? Donations of any amount gratefully accepted now through the end of the year. For more information and ways to Raise a Cup for CCS please visit: http://bit.ly/RaiseACup The current pandemic has made this year one of the most challenging in our history. CCS is meeting record need for critical services with reduced resources. Thank you for your support of our mission to end relationship and sexual violence in our community.

We are so grateful for the wonderful members of CSU San Marcos Alpha Chi Omega @csusm_axo who recently raised over $8,000 for CCS at their annual fundraising event Mr. Alpha Chi Omega. This friendly competition raises funds and awareness about intimate partner violence and how to be advocates in your community. This year despite the challenges of the pandemic they hosted a wonderful virtual event that we were honored to participate in. Thank you Alpha Chi Omega @csusm_axo !!! . . Image description: slide one, text on computer screen zoom meeting, Mr. Alpha Chi, slide two, photo of members of the AXO group.

Today is Purple Thursday! A national annual movement to honor and support survivors of intimate partner violence and how hard we all work as a community to bring awareness, reduce stigma, advocate for survivors, and work for greater safety and equity. Share your purple today and make sure to tag @ccs_sd

The #MeTooLGBTQ conference starts tomorrow! We are so excited to hear all the incredible panelists and speakers. SDPride's website link: www.sdpride.org/live Facebook Event: [https://www.facebook.com/events/963739854138853/ Facebook Livestream link: [https://www.facebook.com/SanDiegoPride/posts/10157348355541056... YouTube Livestream link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daFwc9kFxVY See more

CEO Verna Griffin-Tabor speaks with KUSI this week about the alarming surge in hotline calls and increased need for CCS services during the current pandemic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bae0lH1MtOs&t=2s

Repost from @metoolgbtq New this year, we are adding a youth track for attendees aged 13-18. Workshop tracks will allow attendees to participate in interactive pieces of training and presentations, hear directly from LGBTQ+ survivors of sexual violence and relationship violence, and receive valuable resources. Youth registration is FREE! Registration provides access to the Zoom information and any digital conference material.... Register at: sdpride.org/metoolgbtq Este año la conferencia tendrá sesiones para jóvenes de 13 a 18 años. Los talleres para jovenes proporcionaran recursos y capacitaciones interactivas presentadas por sobrevivientes LGBTQ+ de violencia sexual y violencia entre parejas. El registro de jóvenes es GRATIS! La inscripción proporciona acceso a la información de Zoom y a cualquier material digital para la conferencia. La inscripción: sdpride.org/metoolgbtq See more

Join us this October for Domestic Violence Awareness to get informed, get involved, or get help. We need your support more than ever to share critical information and resources about domestic violence. The current pandemic has led to increased domestic violence worldwide and here at home in San Diego. At CCS, our crisis hotline calls have increased over 64% since March 2020 alone. We are responding to the increased need and we are here to help.

This DVAM, Center for Community Solutions is teaming up with other members from the Teen Dating Violence Committee of the San Diego Domestic Violence Council to offer Teen Dating Violence 101: Tools and Resources to Support our Youth. These county-wide, virtual trainings for school staff, teachers, parents, and teens will explore the nature of teen dating violence and how to prevent and respond to it when we see it happen. The training will be offered on October 7th, twice ...in English (1-2 pm, 5-6pm) and once in Spanish (5-6pm). To register, visit https://sdcoe.k12oms.org/918-190916. For any questions, please email [email protected]. Image Description: Differently sized orange circles are on a white background. In the center is a graphic of a purple desktop computer that says, Teen Dating Violence 101: Tools and Resources to Support our Youth. A county-wide, virtual training brought to you by the Teen Dating Violence Subcommittee of the San Diego Domestic Violence Council for all school Staff, Teachers, Teens, and Parents!!! To Register please visit: https://sdcoe.k12oms.org/918-190916. Below and to the left, above the San Diego Domestic Violence Council logo, are the training date and times described in the caption. To the right are the names and titles of the presenters: Luis Canseco, M.A, Community Resource Center ; Sabrina Van Zuiden, Center for Community Solutions ; Moderators: Diane Doherty, DCA, Supervising Deputy City Attorney ; Violeta Mora, MPA, San Diego County Office of Education. In the lower right corner says, For more information, contact us at [email protected] or call Diane Doherty at 619-533-5548 or call Sabrina Van Zuiden at (619)-768-9012.

Every day, we see in our communities and through our work, systemic oppression and racism, and those with power bearing no responsibility for the harm they cause others. Our hearts go out once again to Tamika Palmer, a mother whose unspeakable personal loss of a child speaks loudly to all of us. Tamika is one of too many mothers who carry a burden of enormous grief and dismay for a culture that all too often turns a blind eye to murder and violence against Black children, Black womxn, and Black men. We must elevate accountability. We must not normalize the disproportionate violence against the Black community and Black womxn in particular. CCS commits to continuing and deepening that larger role of racial justice and equity in our daily work, and we call on our friends and leaders to do the same.

Congratulations to Center for Community Solutions' CEO, Verna Griffin-Tabor, who was just honored by the National Crime Victim Law Institute at their annual Voices for Justice event, for her devotion to eliminating intimate partner violence and sexual assault. We join in celebrating Verna for advancing this critical mission in San Diego County every day through CCS’ comprehensive intervention and prevention services, including emergency shelters, and the City of San Diego’s only Rape Crisis Center. #NCVLI

Join the #MeTooLGBTQ panel discussion tomorrow live streamed from 12:00 - 1:00 PM. CCS Prevention staff will be a part of the panel, and we are so eager to hear all the engaging conversation surrounding LGBTQIA+ community and survivors. To access the live stream use the following links or go to @sandiegopride bio SDPride's website link: www.sdpride.org/live... Facebook Event: [https://www.facebook.com/events/963739854138853/ Facebook Livestream link: [https://www.facebook.com/SanDiegoPride/posts/10157348355541056 YouTube Livestream link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daFwc9kFxVY . . . Image Description: light blue background with blue ribbon and rainbow underlining text. Text reads: September 23, 2020 From 12:00-1:00 PM. #MeTooLGBTQ Panel Discussion. Discussion with LGBTQIA+ Survivor Task Force and #MeTooLGBTQ conference committee members. CCS and San Diego pride logo’s in the bottom left hand corner.

Center for Community Solutions joins the world in mourning the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a champion for women and a powerful, unrelenting voice for social justice. Her courage and unapologetic commitment to equity opened doors for countless people and continues to inspire our work to prevent violence and address inequities. While her death is an indescribable loss, her life’s work will continue to be a guiding light that motivates real and enduring change. Our tribute to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is to continue her legacy. . . . Image description: black and white photo of Ruth Bader Ginsburg with white text quote Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.

Today, September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. CCS is committed to normalizing stigmas surrounding talking about suicide and the ways it affects us and our community. We are so fortunate to have incredible staff and community partners with great resources on having these conversations. Check out, @ccs_prevents @twloha @up2sd @trevorproject @national_suicide_prevention for ways to help. . . .... Image Description: dark blue background, white text, light blue underlining Slide One: Today, September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. Hope is real Help is real Your story is important #worthlivingfor Slide 2 -resources and support: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255, San Diego Access and Crisis Line: 888-724-7240, Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386, Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860, San Diego Survivors of Suicide Loss: 619-482-0297. For more San Diego and National Resources: www.up2sd.org See more

CCS’s bilingual, free, confidential hotline is still available, 888-385-4657. We will resume normal business hours Tuesday September 8.

The third annual #MeTooLGBTQ Conference is back, taking place virtually from October 15th-17th. CCS is a proud partner of this conference that aims to bridge the gaps between LGBTQIA+ survivors of sexual and relationship violence and healing. For more information or to register, go to: https://sdpride.org/metoolgbtq/

Today is Women’s Equality Day, which marks the passing of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote in 1920. While we celebrate this 100 year historic milestone, it is important to acknowledge that many Black and women of color were prevented from exercising their constitutional right for 45 years, until the Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965. Thank you to the organizers and committed individuals who fought, and are still fighting, for everyone to have equal opportunity and access to vote.

Repost from @ccs_prevents Healthy relationships take work! When we receive so many harmful messages that normalize unhealthy or violent relationships, it takes effort to choose a better way. We’re excited to talk more about how we can all choose a better way, as part of our new partnership with the @betterwaycampaign! The #BetterWay campaign is all about promoting healthy relationships and preventing family violence by identifying ways we can better treat each other and our...selves. So, how do we know what’s a #BetterWay? The campaign maps out six key parts of a healthy relationship, which we’ll be exploring over the next six weeks: Fair & Kind Communication Setting & Respecting Boundaries Trust Conflict Resolution Skills Mindfulness/Checking Our Emotions Self Care Tune in every Monday to learn about the six key parts of a healthy relationship! Which one are you most excited to hear about? Comment below! *** Interested in learning more about #BetterWay? Check out @betterwaycampaign or betterwaycampaign.org (link in bio) to sign the pledge to end family violence.. . . Image Description: Purple background with yellow stripe on the side and yellow, red, and pink dots of various sizes. At the bottom, text says We know it’s a #BetterWay. The campaign’s six parts of a healthy relationship are also listed: fair & kind communication, setting & respecting boundaries, trust, conflict resolution, mindfulness/checking our emotions, and self care.

During this very different and difficult time in the world we wanted to give a special shoutout to all the volunteers in the CCS family. CCS volunteers provide direct client engagement as counseling trainees, advocates, and attorneys, educate the community with outreach and prevention education, serve on our Board of Directors and emergency shelter Auxiliary Boards, and help CCS maintain essential funding by helping out in the Development Department. We are SO grateful for their gifts of time and support for the clients and community we serve. Thank you CCS volunteers!!

#fordaisy #safebae #starttheconvo

CCS symbolically takes a knee in honor of Congressman John Lewis. John Lewis dedicated his life to justice, he was a civil rights icon. We honor his tireless work to see real change for Black, Brown and LGBTQIA+ rights.

CCS is proud to partner with Deaf Community Services and San Diego Regional Center with a goal of increasing service accessibility for survivors who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing or have developmental disabilities. CCS knows that intimate partner violence and sexual assault particularly impact individuals with vulnerabilities or disabilities. Such vulnerabilities can be exploited to cause even greater harm or isolation for survivors who rely on a caregiver or communication/ mobi...lity assistive devices. When reaching out for help, survivors face even more barriers when the systems involved don’t speak the language or understand the cultural norms, and thereby misunderstand the vulnerabilities. We strive for a culturally humble approach in our prevention and intervention services by ensuring services are accessible and our staff is trained to engage with interpreters and utilize assistive communication tools. Image Description: Blue boarder, Text Are you safe and happy? No one deserves to be hurt. Abuse can be. Below: 3 images: Image 1: Cartoon of two people, one intimidating the other. Text: Someone makes you feel scared or bad when they talk to you. Image 2: Cartoon of one person standing over another dictating their thoughts. Text: Someone doesn’t let you make any decisions or choices for yourself. Image 3: Cartoon of person who is upset and has hands on them. Text: Someone hurts or touches your body without your consent or agreement. Text below cartoons, No excuse for Abuse. Below: We believe you. We will listen to you. We can help you. Rainbow hand signing the love gesture in ASL. Below: Call us for help! Below: Center for Community Solutions Hotline 1-888-385-4657, Deaf Hotline: 1-206-812-1001(VP), Email: [email protected] Below: logo’s of Center for Community Solutions, Deaf Community Services and San Diego Regional Center. Below: This project was supported by Grant No. 2017-FW-AX-K005 award by the OVW, U.S. DOJ. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the DOJ, OVW. See more

Repost from @nsvrc The tragic death of Private First Class Vanessa Guillen has brought the nation’s attention, once again, to the scope and impact of sexual harassment and assault on the ranks of our military. Just like in communities everywhere sexual assault, harassment, and abuse in the military is commonplace and underreported. In the military, an emphasis on unit cohesion and the hierarchical structure could deter victims from coming forward. Victims who do repor...t experiencing sexual violence during their military service (often referred to as military sexual trauma) have described being ostracized and blamed by fellow service members. Many unique challenges are faced by survivors of military sexual trauma in seeking justice and finding healing. Military-based sexual assault response coordinators can provide active duty survivors with information about their rights under the military justice system, and both military-based and civilian advocates can help survivors find treatment options for veterans through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Civilian community rape crisis programs can also be a resource for active-duty military survivors who have confidentiality concerns or who fear reprisal. Understanding topics like the military reporting process, the military and civilian justice systems, and treatment options is essential in supporting these survivors. To learn more follow the link in our bio. See more

This weekend our country has lost a true hero, Rep. John Lewis, civil right activist and a champion for nonviolence. He has passed on the same day as another civil rights activist past, Reverend C.T. Vivian a close associate of Reverend Martin Luther King. Rep. Lewis was courageous and unstoppable in his commitment to inspire all of us to not back away from making Good Trouble. His entire life was a commitment of courage and perseverance for racial justice and equity. His life ranged from being one of the original Freedom Fighters, to being a key figure in organizing the March on Washington, to his service in Congress. He served as a conscience for his fellow congress representatives. We mourn the loss of this inspirational, powerful and loving man. His legacy will live on.

We are so excited to share the video our staff at Center for Community Solutions created for San Diego’s Virtual Pride!!! To see us featured in this year’s virtual celebration, watch the livestream at sdpride.org/pridelive Video description: A compilation video of 9 different people saying, At Center for Community Solutions, we believe that all people deserve healthy relationships, that everybody deserves consent, that our communities deserve safety. We believe LGBTQIA+ sur...vivors. We believe you. The final image is the CCS logo on a white background with animated decorations in the corners. A voice reads out the text featured on the image, For resources and support around sexual violence or intimate partner violence, please call our 24 hour confidential hotline at 888-385-4657 or visit us at ccssd.org. #pride #pride2020 #sdpride #sdpride2020 #sandiego #believesurvivors See more

We will be posting in our story all the fun and interesting ways to get involved! The link to RSVP is in @sdshefest bio Repost from @sdshefest Have you RSVP’d for our virtual She Fest 2020 yet? If not, what are you waiting for? Come enjoy all your favorite parts of She Fest without the parking problems and without even having to get out of your PJs! Link is in our bio!... Image description: in an 80’s style theme, on a powder blue background is a yellow button that says RSVP, underneath it live music, vendor chats, cooking lessons, meditation, womxn in politics, pets, self care, mixer, and more! Next to the text is a green arrow. On the right side, running down the image is text july 11 | 10:30a-3:30p Below that is the ASL accessibility sign and the She Fest logo with text RSVP link in our bio #lgbtq #sandiegolgbt #queerevents See more

Unfortunately we cannot celebrate Pride in person this year, however @ccs_prevents has made a great way to show your Pride with virtual buttons! You can use your button to say what Pride means to you, to celebrate your own identities, or spread messages of support and resilience to the LGBTQIA+ community. Visit the link in @ccs_prevents bio to download the button templates. To have your button featured please DM @ccs_prevents or email [email protected] by July, 16 2020. We are so excited to see your creativity

June was National Children’s Awareness Month and July is Purposeful Parenting Month. The two go hand in hand to provide awareness and resources for healthy communication with children to keep them safe and allow them to be themselves. Our friends at @ccs_prevents have great tips for healthy relationships with the children in your life. Repost from @ccs_prevents At CCS, we know that we can prevent child abuse and neglect by strengthening children’s safety net. One way we ca...n do this is by practicing CHARM with the kiddos in our life! In one of our previous posts, we look at how using CHARM can help us have healthy relationships this can also apply to parent-child and caregiver-child relationships. Today, we want to look at ways that we can practice CHARM with the children we care for, whether we’re parents, older siblings, or a caring adult in their life: . Communication it goes both ways! Make sure to listen to what your child has to say and be honest when you talk. . Have Fun relationships should be a good time! Give your child the opportunity to pick how you enjoy your time together. . Acknowledge and Apologize mistakes happen! It’s important to recognize when you cross a boundary and apologize to your child. . Respect it matters, especially with your child! Accept your child for who they are and respect how they express themselves through their style, dress and interests. . Make Space, Take Space it’s not always about you! Make sure you make time for your child and do activities you both enjoy, while also respecting when they want to be alone or spend time with others. Using CHARM with kiddos and littles can help strengthen conditions that protect them from stress and trauma (protective factors), helping to prevent child abuse and neglect. Try it and tell us how it goes! . . . Image Description: Text inside a white box with an orange border reads, Using CHARM when parenting & caregiving. Above the text there are images of four cartoon children. The box is surrounded by blue and green circles with orange lines on the left and right.

Nationally Pride month comes to a close however in San Diego we continue our activism and celebration into July and all year long ! This year we are excited to participate in the Virtual Pride week (July 11-18) hosted by @sandiegopride - check them out for a variety of rallies and educational events and how to access them.

Repost from @ccs_prevents In the early morning of June 28, 1969, a police raid began at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. The Stonewall Inn was one of the only bars that young, poor, LGBTQIA+ people could go to because of the transphobic and homophobic laws at the time. Violent police raids of gay bars were extremely common, but on this night the community at Stonewall decided to fight back against the unjust police brutality. The six-day uprising that followed involved t...housands of protestors and would eventually be known as the ‘Stonewall Riots’. Many people view the Stonewall Riots as a turning point for the LGBTQIA+ rights movement. It sparked a national and global conversation about state violence against trans and queer people, and today’s Pride parades started by commemorating the anniversary of this community uprising against police violence. Although we aren’t 100% sure who threw the first object that night, we know that activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera were instrumental as community leaders during the Stonewall Riots and beyond. Marsha P. Johnson, a Black trans woman, and Sylvia Rivera, a Puerto Rican & Venezuelan trans woman, were both young activists who fought to protect their community. In addition to being credited as the first to resist the police at Stonewall, Johnson and Rivera went on to create an organization called STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries). STAR centered the needs of homeless, trans, and queer youth who were being left out of other LGBTQIA+ organizations, and created the first LGBT youth shelter in North America. Even though the Stonewall Riots were 51 years ago, the fight to end violence against trans and queer communities continues. We cannot forget how trans women of color paved the path for the LGBTQIA+ rights we have today, even as they have continued to be excluded. Often, when we hear about Pride, we associate it with celebrations, rainbows and enjoying community. These celebrations are important and wonderful! And they often erase our history and the radical activism of Black and brown trans women. As we celebrate Pride season, let’s remember and honor the Black and brown trans leaders

CCS would like to recognize the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation, Coastal Community Foundation and the Leichtag Foundation for their support of our services throughout North County San Diego. Their generosity allows CCS to continue to provide life saving advocacy, counseling, legal and residential services to those who have been sexually assaulted or have experienced intimate partner violence. These funds also support our prevention efforts to stop this violence before it begins. Thank you!

Are you interested in helping survivors of sexual and domestic violence live healthier, happier, and fuller lives? If so, Center for Community Solutions is the place for youand we’re hiring! Our team consists of individuals specifically trained in the areas of: clinical services, case management, crisis intervention, family law, victim advocacy, education, community outreach, residential counseling, and a variety of administrative services. We have worksites across the County, including our three main business offices located in East County, North County Inland, and Pacific Beach areas. To learn more about CCS’ current career opportunities, please visit: https://www.ccssd.org/who-we-are/careers.html

We understand every situation is unique, so we're sending love to all this Father's Day.

It’s Juneteenthalso known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, or Cel-Liberation Day in America. Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United Statestwo years *after* the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. In 1865, more than 250,000 people were still enslaved in Texas. On June 19, Union troops rode into Galveston to issue the proclamation that all enslaved people were free. More than 150 years later, we are still dealing with racial injustices. Today, we encourage you to make time to reflect on the history of slavery in this country, its lasting impact on the Black community, and what collective steps we can take to achieve racial justice. Learn more at www.juneteenth.com. #starttheconvo #Juneteenth

A statement from Center for Community Solutions regarding today’s Supreme Court ruling which upheld DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals).

Yesterday marked a monumental victory for the LGBTQI+ community when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that LGBTQI+ employees are protected under federal employment discrimination laws under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Although California law has prohibited employment discrimination based on sexual orientation for quite some time now, this decision is a long awaited one. We firmly believe that all people deserve the dignity of humanity with protections in the workplace, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Today, we celebrate this historic victory with our CCS community and the San Diego LGBTQI+ community!

Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) in the the theme of Lifting Up Voices. WEAAD promotes a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older people by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect. This years theme serves as a platform for older survivors to share their stories and experiences of domestic violence, sexual assault stalking and financial exploitation. Together, with awareness and commitment we can end all forms of abuse within our community.

We're sharing these physical and emotional self-care tips from our partners at RAINN, which can be applied to anyone who experienced/is experiencing trauma. Whether it happened recently or years ago, self-care can help you cope with the short- and long-term effects of a trauma. It's about taking steps to feel healthy and comfortable again. #selfcaresaturday #starttheconvo

June marks 51 years of LGBTQI+ pride in the form of activism and celebration. This incredible milestone would not be possible without the tireless work of Black LGBTQI+ activists and ally’s, and we will always continue to support each other. LGBTQI+ survivors experience sexual and intimate partner violence at higher rates, this is consistent in both teens and adults. To make this worse, they also experience unique barriers to services including lack of awareness, heteronormative assumptions that they don’t need protection from abuse, to discrimination and exclusion from service providers. We and our community partners are here to help LGBTQI+ survivors every day. Please see the second slide for resources.

A statement from Center for Community Solutions.

Today, Center for Community Solutions is remembering our dear friend and supporter Robin Ross. Robin served on the Board of Directors from 1997 until 2002, during which time she contributed so much to CCS. Robin was the creative architect behind our annual Tea & Tonic event and was a constant advocate with public officials on CCS’ behalf. Notably, Robin helped CCS position the need for a sex crimes platform within the District Attorney’s Office and because of her efforts, a s...pecial unit was created which still operates today. Even when her family relocated to Los Angeles, she continued to be a steadfast supporter and fierce advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Those who knew Robin, knew this vital work was close to her heartnone more than her husband, Dr. Bob Ross. To honor her passion for advocacy, CCS was selected by Dr. Ross as one of two charities to receive donations in lieu of flowers. These gifts will ensure her legacy lives on in the work we do every day to bring hope and healing to survivors. Robin was a shining light in the community and we will miss her dearly.

As Mental Health Month comes to a close, we would like to recognize the amazing work done every day by our Counseling Departmentwhich offers individual and group therapy to survivors of intimate partner violence and/or sexual assault. Last year, nearly 600 adults and children received 3,815 counseling sessions through Center for Community Solutions. This therapy resource is a vital part of the healing process for many survivors. So when the COVID-19 crisis struck, our therapists quickly pivoted and began offering teleconference/virtual sessions to ensure there was no disruption of service. #StartTheConvo #HopeHealingPrevention #MentalHealthMonth #MentalHealthAwareness

Midweek check-in. How is everyone doing? What activities, techniques, or mantras are you practicing to help stay grounded during these challenging times? Share with us in the comments! And remember, you are not alone. Center for Community Solutions is here to offer support to survivors 24/7 through our bilingual hotline: 1-888-385-4657. Services are free and confidential. #starttheconvo #hopehealingprevention #inthistogether

In observance of the holiday, Center for Community Solutions is closed today. If you need assistance, our 24-hour hotline is available at 1-888-385-4657 or visit www.ccssd.org. #StartTheConvo #MemorialDay

Center for Community Solutions would like to recognize Ajilon for their wonderful partnership. With their help, CCS can ensure professional advocacy and vital support services are always available to survivors and their families staying at our residential facilities. Thank you, Ajilon! #starttheconvo #hopehealingprevention

Violence is violence no matter the venue. Our partners at the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault recently published an article examining the harassing, discriminatory and sexually violent behaviors that occur in digital spaces--and why the abuse is disproportionately targeted at women. Click below to read the full article, which includes ways you can help prevent virtual violence. #starttheconvo #hopehealingprevention #inthistogether #CALCASA

We know some days are tougher than others, and are committed to being there for survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault when you need support. For survivors living in San Diego County, you can connect with a caring advocate seven days a week through Center for Community Solutions’ 24-hour hotline: 1-888-385-4657. #starttheconvo #hopehealingprevention #inthistogether #supportsurvivors #believesurvivors

Center for Community Solutions would like to recognize PsychPros, Inc for their commitment to our mission. Through their partnership, our emergency and long-term shelters have the professional resources necessary to help survivors build a meaningful life free of violence. Thank you, PsychPros! #starttheconvo #hopehealingprevention

Practicing self-care is an important part of the mental health journey. So on this Self-care Saturday, we are sharing tips from Blessing Manifesting as part of Mental Health Month. #selfcaresaturday #starttheconvo #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmonth #talkitout #hopehealingprevention #notalone

"Over a month into the pandemic, we recognize this as a mental health crisis. It’s called trauma." Individuals experiencing feelings of being on edge constantly and worried or sleepless nights are having normal reactions. We are not going crazy, but simply adjusting to the new reality. In a recent article published on The Huffington Post, two doctors discuss the collective trauma we are experiencing due to COVID-19 and how individuals can cope during this crisis. Click below... to read more. If you need to talk, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has a 24-hour helpline: 1-800-950-6264. For those living in San Diego County, the NAMI San Diego helpline is: 619 543-1434 or visit www.namisandiego.org. CCS is here for you, too. For individuals impacted by domestic or sexual violence, our 24-hour crisis hotline is available at: 1-888-385-4657. #starttheconvo #inthistogether #mentalhealthmonth #mentalhealthawareness #talkitout #notalone #hopehealingprevention

During these uncertain times, we love hearing stories about people helping people. In this case, Center for Community Solutions was on the receiving end when Lotus and Luna contacted us to ask if we were in need of face masks. The local boutique has been donating one mask to a healthcare or essential business professional, for each mask purchased through their websiteand CCS was delighted to receive 500 face masks as a result! These masks will be distributed to residential staff and survivors staying at our long-term and short-term shelters. Thank you, Lotus and Luna, for everything you are doing to help keep our community safe! #StartTheConvo #InThisTogether #HopeHealingPrevention #GivingBack P.S. You can shop their collection at: https://www.lotusandluna.com/collections/face-masks

Thanks to support from a recent Bank of America grant, Center for Community Solutions will be able to continue our expanded services to survivors and their families who are experiencing an increased need for emergency shelter and advocacy during the COVID-19 crisis. We are grateful to BofA for their partnership during this challenging time. #BofAGrants #InThisTogether #StartTheConvo #HopeHealingPrevention

Center for Community Solutions is honored to be selected as Baby Tula's charity beneficiary for May! Throughout the month, 5% of all carrier sales will be donated in support of CCS programs that provide vital services to survivors. To learn more about the family-owned business and their carriers, visit: www.babytula.com. Thank you, Baby Tula, for believing in our mission!

Mother’s Day can be a particularly difficult and emotional time for domestic violence survivors and their families who are living in shelterand the COVID-19 pandemic has only increased feelings of isolation. To help brighten their day, members of the Women Prosecutors Group at the San Diego County District Attorney office dropped off flowers, suitcases, beauty products, and other essential items for Mothers currently staying at Center for Community Solutions’ residential facilities. We are grateful to the WPG for this wonderful act of kindness, which will bring much joy and help reassure survivors they are not alone. Pictured: WPG members (left to right) Christy Bowles, Laurie Hauf, Judy Taschner, and Tracy Prior with CCS CEO Verna Griffin-Tabor (center).