Meet the Staff – Zhengxu Jin

Birthdate, Astro Sign
September 4, Virgo
Why did you start working at the DC Center?
As a member of the LGBT community myself, I’d love to make an impact and improve the conditions for other members of the community.
What is your music anthem?
Shake it off
What is your favorite part about the LGBTQ+ community?
It is very diverse community. People from different places, of different skin colors and ages united together to fight for a common goal. it is unbelievable.
What is your favorite spot in DC and what do you do there?
Georgetown for sure. I enjoy walking around in Georgetown when the weather is nice. I sit by the water, I go to get cupcake and ice cream, and sometimes I do some shopping too!
What do you think the LGBTQ+ community needs to improve on?
Cross acceptance. This means people need to focus more on their inner self than their appearance. It also means that we should look beyond one’s race, look, and mannerism (whether it is feminine or masculine.) We don’t deserve to be labelled and stereotyped as a superficial community.
What is your favorite Queer movie?
Love, Simon.
What has been your favorite moment while working in the DC Center?
The moment that I realized all my hard work will pay off because I am doing something for a good cause.
What clothing item is a staple in your wardrobe?
Vintage leather or jean jackets!
What color would you paint the White House, given the chance?
Rainbow!
Who do you most look up to in the queer community?
George Takei. He takes pride in being who he is and his posts are hilarious yet educating.

Survey Participants Needed

We kindly invite you to participate in this survey by Rob Cramer from Old Dominion University. It aims to develop better understanding about health and well-being, health behaviors and technology uses among self-identifying sexual minority adults. Upon finishing this survey, participants will be given a chance to win a gift card of $20 or $50.

If you have any questions about the details of this research study, please contact Rob Cramer at 757-683-3350 or via email at rcramer@odu.edu

#GiveOutDay 2018

Give Out Day

The DC Center for the LGBT Community is excited to participate in Give OUT Day, the only national day of giving for the LGBTQ community. The 24-hour online fundraising event unites the LGBTQ community from all 50 states and D.C.  Give OUT Day 2018 takes place on Thursday, April 19, 2018 from 12:00 am to 11:59 pm Eastern. Last year, Give OUT Day raised over $750,000 to support LGBTQ nonprofits.

Throughout the day-long event, thousands of people make gifts to support a diverse array of LGBTQ nonprofits across the country, ranging from the arts to social services agencies, advocacy groups to sports leagues, and community centers to health care nonprofits.

We are immensely proud to take part in this much-needed day of fundraising to benefit LGBTQ Americans. The DC LGBT Center educates, empowers, celebrates, and connects the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. To fulfill our mission, we focus on four core areas: health and wellness, arts & culture, social & peer support, and advocacy and community building. and we hope that our community will rise to the challenge.

To make a donation, please visit: https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/thedccenter/

Research Participants Wanted

Seeking young African American men, transgender women, or gender non-conforming youth who have sexual interest in men for a research study on mentorship. If you are a mentor to such a young person ages 15-24 or you are a young person with sexual interest in males and are being mentored by an adult in Baltimore/DC/Philly, call/text James Conley, III for info: 443-354-2537. Interviews take 1 hour, and you will earn a $50 gift card.

Looking for Gay Day at the Zoo volunteers

Gay Day at the Zoo 2018

The Gay Day At The Zoo committee is looking for volunteers to help with day of logistics and helping drum up excitement about this event by selling T-shirts! GDATZ, which takes place on International Family Equality Day (Sunday, May 6) is a one of a kind event that brings together all elements of the LGBTQ community. This year, for the first time ever, the National Zoo is officially celebrating International Family Equality Day with enhanced activities all day. We are seeking volunteers to help us with our programming and outreach efforts. If you are interested in helping please email your availability to GDATZ@thedccenter.org.

Social Worker Job Opening

The DC Center for the LGBT Community

The DC Center for the LGBT Community is hiring! We are looking for a full time staff social worker. See below for details.

Job Position Description: Staff Social Worker/Therapist (LICSW)

Staff Social Worker/Therapist Position:

The DC Center for the LGBT Community has a mission of educating, empowering, celebrating, and connecting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community of Washington, DC. The Staff Social Worker/Therapist helps to achieve this mission by providing mental health support services to survivors of violence, crime, and trauma. These services are available free-of-charge to our community members due to grant funding from the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants (OVSJG). The Staff Social Worker/Therapist will see clients individually and in group settings, as well as in a couples/collateral therapy capacity, if requested. The person who fills this position is also responsible for other related projects, such as quarterly reporting and management of the OVSJG grant, outreach and education in the LGBTQ community, and assisting the mission, vision, and values of The DC Anti-Violence Project (DC AVP). S/he will report to the Executive Director. 

Special Skills:

The Staff Social Worker/Therapist must have the appropriate licensure to practice independently in DC (LICSW) and have at least 2 years’ experience working as a clinician with a diverse client population. They must also have a demonstrated ability to work with LGBTQ+ adults, to work well in a team, to problem solve and communicate at all levels verbally as well as in writing. Must be self-motivated and be able to build and maintain relationships, both with colleagues and with key stakeholders in the larger victim-serving network of Washington, DC. The ideal candidate will have prior nonprofit/grant management experience and is well adept at multitasking in a fast-paced environment. Bilingual capabilities are strongly preferred, but not required. Please note that this position does not provide funding for clinical supervision hours, so should candidate want to pursue clinical supervision, they must do so off-site, and with their own funds.

Functions and Duties

Staff Social Worker/Therapist: Responsibilities:

  • Provide individual, couples, and group mental health support services to a caseload of 25-35 unique clients
  • Conduct intake assessments with all new potential clients to assess safety, job status, financial resources, living arrangements, current support system, type and history of victimization, legal issues, related medical history, and clinical symptomatology for the past 30 days.
  • Provide clients with LGBTQ-friendly and affirming referrals to community-based services, aimed at assisting individuals affected by crime, violence and trauma
  • Assess clients and provide necessary intervention in crisis situations (safety plans, hospitalization, referrals, etc.)
  • Take the lead position on clinical team, supervising and providing clinical supervision to our part-time LGSW on staff
  • Keep current and accurate records of all clinical interactions in MyClientsPlus, a clinical database system
  • Coordinate outreach and education opportunities to increase community awareness of anti-violence efforts
  • Coordinate therapeutic clinical projects to assist survivors of crime, violence, and trauma
  • Write quarterly reports and manage grant deliverables for the OVSJG grant throughout the fiscal year
  • Attend and participate in bi-monthly Victim Assistance Network (VAN) meetings, as well as the Mental Health Subcommittee meetings in accordance with requirements of OVSJG grant funding
  • Deliver trauma-informed, culturally competent assessment and treatment techniques to all survivors seeking support services, and serve as a resource for all individuals seeking support through The DC Center
  • Actively gather and disseminate information about community agencies and resources pertaining to LGBTQ+ survivors of crime, such as the LGBT Liaison Unit of the Metropolitan Police Department, legal and criminal justice systems, housing and vocational resources, and mental health systems.
  • Work in partnership with The DC Anti-Violence Project members to further the mission, vision, and values of DC AVP
  • Facilitate, as needed, cultural competency training opportunities, community presentations, and outreach events
  • Work well with a diverse staff to facilitate an open, supportive and warm environment for all individuals who visit The DC Center

Please send qualified resumes to Samantha Goodwin at samantha@thedccenter.org

The DC Center is looking for Front Desk volunteers!

Front Desk Volunteer

Front Desk Volunteer

Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity?  Do you like talking with people and sharing information?

The DC Center is looking for volunteers to regularly staff the front desk, answer phone calls, and reply to e-mails on Mondays and Thursdays, during business hours from 12pm to 6pm every week or Saturdays from 11am-3pm. This is a great opportunity for those looking to build administrative skills. If you are interested in volunteering on one of these days, please contact the Operations Manager, Chris at chris@thedccenter.org
Thank you!