Wingspan in Tucson Lifestyle Magazine

Have you gotten a chance to check out the interview for Tucson Lifestyle Magazine with Wingspan’s own Director of Programs, Oscar Jimenez? Read the article below (article by Wendy Sweet, photography by Kris Hanning)

““WE STRIVE TO BE A SAFE PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME AND BE THEMSELVES,” says Oscar Jimenez, director of programs at Wingspan. Wingspan is Southern Arizona’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community center. “It is the hub of LGBT culture and the welcoming center for Tucson’s LGBT and allied communities,” Jimenez says. “Wingspan is for everyone, not just the LGBT community,” Jimenez emphasizes. “So much of the movement for equality rests on the shoulders of straight allies. “Wingspan changes people’s lives. LGBT individuals may be bullied at school or at work. They may feel isolated or that the world is against them. Wingspan is a place to regroup, recharge and heal. Here they will meet people who will be instrumental in their empowerment as LGBT individuals. Society often wants to make members of the LGBT community invisible. At our center, they are validated and reminded that they have amazing value. They can then go out into the community and help make that cultural shift.”
Wingspan got its start about 30 years ago after a young man lost his life to hate violence. “unfortunately, it took a tragedy to be the catalyst,” Jimenez reflects. He knows from personal experience how much of an impact Wingspan can have on a person’s life. “I first came to Wingspan as a confused and depressed youth,” he remembers. “I was lost. I was from a small town in Southern Arizona, and there were no gay role models there. At Wingspan, I learned to accept and celebrate myself, and it had such a strong impact on my life, that I felt I had a responsibility to offer the same thing to others. I became a social worker and worked at various social service organizations in Tucson before coming to work at Wingspan five years ago.” The center offers numerous programs designed to meet the needs of the LGBT community, including anti-violence programs. “We act as an advocacy group for victims of LGBT violence, and offer community education to law enforcement, medical staff and social service providers to help them be culturally aware. We reach about 2,000 professionals a year through our community education.”

Wingspan’s youth and family programs, such as Rainbow Families and Senior Pride, offer social activities and forums. Youth ages 13 to 23 will find support, services, workshops and activities at the Eon youth center. Wingspan has a 24-hour bilingual crisis hotline, manned by volunteers, and there is an emergency shelter program for people affected by violence. The Rainbow Connect chat line is for youth not in crisis, and is operated by other young adults. Wingspan’s Southern Arizona Gender Alliance (SAGA) aims to create a wide network of support for transgender individuals; SAGA also has a new group for parents of transgender children. Funding comes from federal, state, local and county government, as well as private donations. “Private donations have become even more important in the last two years as government funding and foundation funding has decreased. We need contributions, but we also need the energy and talents of volunteers. We would not be here without volunteers. We only have a nine-person staff, and have direct contact with about 6,000 people a year (including clients, family members and professionals).” Volunteer opportunities include staffing the front desk, being an advocate for the crisis line, working at the Eon youth center and helping with special events. “We have a variety of events that need human power,” Jimenez says. “Tucson Latin Gay Pride has a weeklong calendar of events in the fall, and in November there is Transgender Awareness Week. We have a New Year’s Eve party, and in the spring, we put on the Wingspan All Ages Prom.” The annual fundraiser is the Wingspan Classic Charity Golf Tournament, held in November. To learn more or to volunteer at Wingspan, click on www.wingspan.org or call 624-1779. — Wendy Sweet”"