Week of January 10, 2011

From Anne:

This week Karen and I spent some time talking about the upcoming Gold Rush and the Clinical Track. It seems that it is all coming together nicely!  Although there had not been as many people registered for the Clinical track as we would like, we are both hopeful that with a big, final push for enrollment, we can help convince clinical professionals how important it is to be culturally competent when working with this population. Kate came by the Gender Center and we all tossed around some ideas on how to approach the Gold Rush this year. It is difficult to insight a desire to learn about a new population when the public has become complacent in their knowledge. Keeping our hopes up and our fingers crossed! 

From Cinda:

Monday, given the snow we just had, and the bad roads, we closed the Gender Center's open hours today.  I used the time to work from home, adding Karen's suggestions to the grant.  It is now ready to go to Kate tomorrow!  I also added our volunteer training information to the web site and typed up my notes on what needs to be covered.  I need to send those to Karen tomorrow as well.  And, lastly, I started pulling together the information for a tri-fold pamphlet that we can give those who come in asking about our clinical services.

Tuesday it was back to the Gender Center.  Karen is home today, but Anne is going to drop by after an appointment so I won't be spending the day alone.  I sent off the grant to Kate, caught up on the blog, and posted that material, then polished the notes for the volunteer training and sent that off to Karen.  Lastly, I listed out my hours so I could see what kind of surplus I had when I started the winter quarter.  Miranda came by with the printer, but it is being pesky.  Looks like it'll need a try to the printer doctor…

Wednesday, I did some general organizing for the winter quarter.  Came up with a list of several mini projects to do for the Gender Center, updated calendar and the like.

Thursday was our team meeting.  Miranda was running a little late so I didn't get a chance to chat with her, but Karen and I had a good talk.  Anne was home sick – feel better!

Week of January 3, 2011

From Anne:

Had a great time doing intakes this week!  We had a client who sought us out for some guidance with beginning the process of transition.  It was inspiring to see someone taking this brave step. She was amazingly honest and open with me during the appointment and I’m really looking forward to working with her! We’ve decided at this point, to begin meeting weekly, then taper off eventually as she begins to feel more comfortable in her transition. It was truly great to be a part of this .

From Cinda:

2011, can you believe it?  Back to the Gender Center after a long weekend.  It always feels like I've been away longer than three days.  I've really come to enjoy being here.  More work on the grant this Monday.  By the end of the week I will have it finished and off to Karen for her final edits.  I'm glad it's almost done, but still a little nervous, and probably will be until I hear what Kate has to say.  A couple of drop in folks came by, which is always a delight.  I facilitated the Monday night group and had a great conversation with the one person who came by.

Tuesday, last glance on the grant before I finish it off!  We also had another drop in today.  One of our new folks will be coming back to us for case management.  I enjoyed talking to her and found out that we have books available here for sale!  I need to remember to ask for a receipt book for when this happens again!

Wednesday I attended a pre-grant workshop at the Denver Foundation.  It was very informative.  They have a February 1^st deadline, which I don't think we can make, but they also have a June 1^st deadline, which I do think we can make.  When I got home from the workshop I polished off the grant I have been working on and sent it off to Karen for her edits!  It gave me a feeling of accomplishment, but I think I'm more nervous than ever!

Thursday I was back at the Gender Center for a team meeting with Miranda.  It's so nice to have her back!  It was a good meeting, and Anne was able to drive me over to campus so I could meet with my professor for my Independent Study and then my seminar.

Friday I was in class from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.  What was I thinking?  It's a long day, but I think these classes are going to be a lot more applicable to what I'm doing at the Gender Center than the ones I took in the Fall quarter.

Week of December 27, 2010

From Anne:
Gender Identity Center closed for the holidays! 

From Cinda:

Back to the Gender Center on Monday!  Karen and I had planned to go over the grant, but things were a little busy so that had to be postponed until Tuesday.  Once again we'll be closed on Friday and Saturday for New Year's so this is another short week for us.

Tuesday Karen and I looked over the grant.  Karen had some suggestions that I'll have to work in.  It's shaping up!  This is my first time writing a grant, and I'm a little nervous about it, but I know that it will be looked over by Karen and Kate before it is sent off so that boosts my confidence!

Back on Thursday for some more grant tweaking.  Looks like once the winter quarter starts I'll be coming back on Thursday mornings for our team meetings, which works fine for me since all three of my classes are on Friday and all I have on Thursday is seminar.  I hope everybody as a great New Year's!

Week of December 20, 2010

From Anne:

I did a lot of Gold Rush work this week. I’ve been calling social services agencies in the area as well as schools to try and illicit interest in the clinical track for the Gold Rush.  Most of the colleges in the area are on break for the holidays so I’m focusing more on social services agencies. I’ve been getting mixed reactions; some agencies have been very interested and requester more information while other have been dismissive, saying that they have trainings that they feel are sufficient to inform their workers. It’s been slightly frustrating in that I feel that they don’t understand that the Transgender population experiences very unique struggles and oppression and needs very unique and individualized consideration. Hopefully I can communicate this to the agencies and we well get a good turn out!

From Cinda:

I was only at the Gender Center on Monday this week.  We'll be closed on Friday and Saturday for Christmas, too.  I don't know if I mentioned it before, but we decorated for Christmas and it was fun to watch the Gender Center be transformed.  Anne put up the tree and hung some garland, and Karen brought in a second smaller tree that needed to be hung with ornaments.  I'm looking forward to a little vacation this week, but will be staying in Denver and working on the grant.

Week of December 13, 2010

From Anne:

Another busy week! Several drops ins and members came by to catch up and share their holiday plans. This can be a difficult time of year for several of our clients who feel unsupported by people in their lives, so it’s particularly important that we are here as a source of support.

Courtney , the transgender advocate at The Center came by to meet with Kate about plans for The Center and Gender Identity Center for the new year. Courtney is going to be more involved with the Gender Identity Center in the coming year and has even been elected as the newest board member. Her knowledge and heart for this work has been so evident at the Center and we are thrilled to have her  on the board!

From Cinda:

Monday Karen, Anne and I were here and we had a full house!  Our volunteer was here and a lot of folks dropped in.  I realized some stuff we need to look up, but we're having internet issues and I'm off-line until Quest comes and fixes the problem tomorrow.  Monday night I came back for group and there was three of us.

Tuesday, Karen and I were here, although Karen had to leave early.  A volunteer was here, too.  She dropped off some dishes, soup and nibbles – whoohoo!  Still off-line… grumble, and waiting for Quest, who keep pushing the appointment time later and later… big grumble.

Thursday, Karen and Anne and I were here, stuffing envelopes for a mailing.  I'm used to doing this for a volunteer organization back when I was living in Atlanta so we developed a rhythm pretty quickly!  It was also nice to be able to talk and ask questions about clinical practice.  A couple of drop in stopped by as well, so it was a productive day.

Friday was much like Thursday.  We haven't really developed a "typical" day around here, but I really appreciate the time and space to ask questions about being a social worker in general and a transgender ally in particular.  Being gender variant, but not transsexual, this has been a tremendous learning experience for me.  I've decided that I really appreciate the range of diversity when it comes to gender identity and sexual orientation.