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Central Valley Gender Health & Wellness Youth Program

Empowering Youth Through Care (EYC): Building Resilience for a Brighter Future

At Central Valley Gender Health and Wellness, we are committed to addressing the unique needs of youth in our community. Our Youth Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Program, funded through the EYC grant, focuses on prevention, early intervention, and holistic support for young people navigating the challenges of substance use.


Our Mission

We strive to empower youth by fostering resilience, promoting healthy choices, and creating an environment of support and understanding. Our youth-focused program recognizes that each individual’s journey is unique, and we aim to meet young people where they are, providing tools for long-term wellness and recovery.


Program Goals

Through the EYC grant, our program aims to:

  • Prevent Substance Use: Equip youth with education and skills to make informed decisions.
  • Promote Early Intervention: Identify signs of substance use early and connect youth to supportive resources.
  • Provide Culturally Competent Care: Address the unique needs of Queer, Transgender, and People of Color (QTPOC) youth.
  • Support Long-Term Recovery: Build strong support systems to help youth thrive.


Key Program Features


Education & Prevention

  • Workshops in schools and community centers focused on substance use awareness, peer pressure, and coping strategies.
  • Interactive sessions that encourage open dialogue about mental health and substance use.
  • Youth-Centered Counseling
    Individual and group therapy sessions tailored to the specific needs of youth.
  • Trauma-informed care to address underlying causes of substance use.


Peer Mentorship & Support
Opportunities for youth to connect with mentors who have shared experiences.

  • Peer-led support groups to foster a sense of belonging and empowerment.


Family Engagement


Education for parents and caregivers to understand substance use challenges.

  • Workshops to build stronger communication and support networks within families.


Community Outreach

  • Collaborations with schools, youth organizations, and community leaders to create a broad network of support.
  • Events and campaigns to reduce stigma and raise awareness about youth substance use.


Who We Serve

Our program is open to all youth ages, with a particular focus on:

  • Queer, Transgender, and People of Color (QTPOC) youth.
  • Young individuals at risk of or experiencing substance use challenges.
  • Families seeking guidance and resources to support their loved ones.


How to Get Involved

  • We are here to help youth and their families navigate the challenges of substance use. Whether you need immediate support, resources, or just someone to talk to, we are ready to provide care.


Building a Future Together

  • With the support of the EYC grant, Central Valley Gender Health and Wellness is dedicated to creating a future where every young person has the opportunity to thrive. Together, we can break the cycle of substance use and build a healthier, more resilient generation.

Youth Counseling Services

Empowering the LGBTQIA+ Youth of Central Valley

Youth Counseling Services


At Central Valley Gender Health and Wellness (CVGHW), we understand the unique challenges young people face today. Our Youth Counseling Services are designed to provide compassionate, affirming, and inclusive mental health support tailored specifically for LGBTQIA+ youth, with a special focus on QTPOC (Queer, Trans, and People of Color) youth. We also work closely with educators, counselors, and community leaders to ensure students have access to the resources they need to thrive.


How We Support Youth


Our youth-centered counseling services aim to:

  • Help young people explore their identities in a safe, nonjudgmental space.
  • Provide tools to navigate challenges like stress, anxiety, depression, or substance use.
  • Offer support for those experiencing bullying, discrimination, or family challenges.
  • Foster resilience and self-empowerment through evidence-based therapeutic practices.


Services We Offer


Individual Youth Counseling

  • One-on-one sessions to address personal challenges, identity exploration, and emotional well-being.
  • Trauma-informed care to support young people processing difficult experiences.


Group Therapy for Youth

  • Peer-focused groups that create a supportive environment for connection and healing.
  • Topics include building confidence, coping skills, and healthy communication.


Substance Use and Harm Reduction Counseling

  • Support for youth navigating substance use challenges or those at risk of substance use.
  • Education on harm reduction strategies to promote safety and well-being.


Family Support and Education

  • Resources for parents and caregivers to foster understanding and provide affirming support.
  • Workshops on communication and building strong, supportive relationships.


For Educators and School Counselors

We recognize the vital role educators play in supporting youth. CVGHW offers:

  • Workshops and Training: LGBTQIA+ cultural humility training for school staff to create inclusive environments.
  • On-Campus Support: Collaboration with schools to provide mental health resources and counseling referrals for students.
  • Custom Resource Guides: Tailored materials for educators to help students navigate identity, mental health, and substance use concerns.


Why Choose CVGHW?

  • Youth-Centered Care: We focus on the unique experiences of young people.
  • Cultural Competence: Our services are informed by the intersectionality of identity, ensuring inclusivity for all.
  • Safe and Affirming Environment: A judgment-free space for healing and self-discovery.


Get Connected

Whether you're a young person looking for support or an educator seeking resources for your students, we are here to help. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient future.

Youth Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Prevention

Understanding the Scope

 Substance Use Disorder (SUD) significantly affects young people across the United States, with LGBTQIA+ youth facing even greater risks due to discrimination, isolation, and limited access to affirming care. According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 1 in 5 youth aged 12–17 reported using illicit substances in the past year. Additionally, research indicates that LGBTQ+ adolescents are up to 90% more likely to use substances compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers, often as a way to cope with stress and stigma.


Why Our Work Matters
At Central Valley Gender Health and Wellness (CVGHW), we prioritize supporting Queer and Trans People of Color (QTPOC) who disproportionately experience barriers to treatment and mental health services. Through our Elevate Youth California (EYC) funding, we are expanding youth-centered programs that address the root causes of substance use. This includes providing culturally competent education, mentorship programs, and access to harm reduction resources that affirm young people’s identities.


Our Approach

  • Education & Outreach: We offer workshops and peer-led support groups to raise awareness about the realities of substance use, teach coping strategies, and promote mental well-being.
  • Mentorship & Leadership: By fostering leadership opportunities, we empower youth to become advocates, reduce stigma, and influence policies around substance use prevention.
  • Therapy Through Art & Healing-Centered Spaces: Our sessions allow young people to process trauma in safe, affirming environments.


Get Involved
If you or someone you know is affected by SUD, or if you’d like to support our efforts, contact us to learn how you can participate, volunteer, or donate. Together, we can build a community where all youth have the resources, support, and confidence to thrive.

Empowering Youth: Resources

Youth Therapy Through Art Workshop

At Central Valley Gender Health and Wellness (CVGHW), we understand the transformative power of art in healing and personal expression. Our Youth Therapy Through Art Workshops provide a safe, supportive, and creative space for LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults (ages 12-24) to explore their emotions, share experiences, and heal through the e

At Central Valley Gender Health and Wellness (CVGHW), we understand the transformative power of art in healing and personal expression. Our Youth Therapy Through Art Workshops provide a safe, supportive, and creative space for LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults (ages 12-24) to explore their emotions, share experiences, and heal through the expressive power of art.

These workshops are designed to support the mental health and well-being of young people facing unique challenges related to identity, discrimination, and substance use. With the guidance of skilled facilitators, participants engage in art therapy techniques that promote emotional growth, self-reflection, and resilience. Whether through drawing, painting, or mixed media, each session offers a chance to explore personal experiences and foster a deeper sense of empowerment and connection.

Key Features of the Youth Therapy Through Art Workshops:

  • Creative Healing: Using art as a tool to explore and process emotions, creating a unique path to healing and self-expression.
  • LGBTQIA+ Affirming: A safe and inclusive space that recognizes the specific challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ youth.
  • Guided Sessions: Facilitated by licensed art therapists and mental health professionals with expertise in working with the LGBTQIA+ community.
  • Free of Charge: All workshops are completely free for youth participants.
  • Supportive Community: Engage with peers in a non-judgmental and empathetic environment, fostering solidarity and shared experiences.

Our workshops are designed not just as a means for creative expression, but as a path to emotional resilience and empowerment for LGBTQIA+ youth. By combining therapy and art, we aim to help young individuals find their voice, strengthen their mental health, and connect with others who share similar experiences.

Join us and be part of a transformative experience that empowers you to heal, express, and thrive.

For more information or to register for the next session, please contact us.

Sign Up

Youth Counseling Services

At Central Valley Gender Health and Wellness (CVGHW), we understand the unique challenges young people face today. Our Youth Counseling Services are designed to provide compassionate, affirming, and inclusive mental health support tailored specifically for LGBTQIA+ youth, with a special focus on QTPOC (Queer, Trans, and People of Color) y

At Central Valley Gender Health and Wellness (CVGHW), we understand the unique challenges young people face today. Our Youth Counseling Services are designed to provide compassionate, affirming, and inclusive mental health support tailored specifically for LGBTQIA+ youth, with a special focus on QTPOC (Queer, Trans, and People of Color) youth. We also work closely with educators, counselors, and community leaders to ensure students have access to the resources they need to thrive.



Get Connected

Whether you're a young person looking for support or an educator seeking resources for your students, we are here to help. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient future.

Get Connected

Free Haircuts for Youth

Free Haircuts for Youth

 

Fresh Cuts for Confidence: Free Haircuts for Youth

At Central Valley Gender Health and Wellness (CVGHW), we know how important self-expression is, especially for young people exploring their identities. That’s why we’re proud to offer free professional haircuts for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC youth through our Fresh Cuts for Confidence Program.

Thi

 

Fresh Cuts for Confidence: Free Haircuts for Youth

At Central Valley Gender Health and Wellness (CVGHW), we know how important self-expression is, especially for young people exploring their identities. That’s why we’re proud to offer free professional haircuts for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC youth through our Fresh Cuts for Confidence Program.

This monthly event is a chance for you to feel celebrated, supported, and refreshed. Whether you’re looking for a gender-affirming style, trying something new, or simply treating yourself to a fresh cut, our program creates a safe and inclusive space where you can be authentically you.

Program Details

  • Who It’s For: LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC youth looking for affirming and supportive hair care.
  • What’s Included: Free professional haircuts by licensed cosmetologist Cindy Gomez, tailored to your style and identity.
  • When: Every fourth Saturday of the month, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
  • Where: Central Valley Gender Health and Wellness.

Why It Matters

A haircut is more than just a style change—it’s a step toward empowerment, confidence, and self-love. Our program helps youth feel comfortable and celebrated in their own skin, offering more than a haircut: it’s an experience that boosts self-esteem and nurtures your identity.

How to Sign Up

Sign up now to secure your spot! Click [here] (insert link) or visit our Linktree to register. Spaces are limited, so don’t wait to treat yourself!

Join us for an experience that’s all about you, your style, and your confidence. We’re here to help you look and feel your best—because you deserve it!

Free Haircuts

Copyright © 2025 Central Valley Gender Health and Wellness - All Rights Reserved.

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Stand with Us Against Hate

 Our community is under attack. With the rise in anti-trans rhetoric and policies, the fight for dignity, safety, and equality for trans and QTPOC individuals is more urgent than ever. Your donation helps us respond to these attacks and provide critical, life-affirming services, 


Every dollar directly fuels the fight for justice and equity, ensuring our community is not only protected but empowered. Together, we can resist hate, uplift marginalized voices, and build a future where everyone is valued and celebrated.



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