(C) El Paso Matters.org
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Help Us Heal the Borderland [1]
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Date: 2024-09-23
The Borderland Rainbow Center is more than just a sanctuary for the LGBTQIA+ community — it’s a vital lifeline for the entire Borderland.
Nestled at the intersection of Texas, New Mexico and Mexico, The Center opens its doors to everyone in need, embodying the diversity and complexity of this unique region. Whether you’re a queer youth in search of affirming support, a family struggling with food insecurity, or a senior looking for connection, The Center offers a haven of healing, understanding, and empowerment.
Take a moment to imagine a family of four walking up to The Center’s food pantry, unsure of where their next meal will come from. Volunteers greet them with warmth and compassion, offering enough groceries to get them through the week.
Another evening finds a group of young adults finding emotional support as they laugh, play games and share their experiences navigating identity and family. These are real, everyday stories at The Center – a place where compassion knows no boundaries.
A holistic approach to healing
What sets The Center apart is its holistic approach to addressing both immediate and long-term needs. In a region where 84% of the population identifies as Latinx, and over 21% live below the poverty line, the services offered by The Center extend far beyond its LGBTQIA+ roots.
The food pantry, serving over 400 families a week, is open to anyone in the community facing food insecurity. Therapy services are accessible to all, ensuring that the most vulnerable receive the mental health support they need – no barriers, no questions asked.
Healing here is viewed as a multidimensional journey. In addition to providing traditional mental health care, The Center also embraces culturally relevant healing arts practices, including sound baths, aromatherapy, and Indigenous-informed methods like sweat lodges.
These programs not only heal the mind and body but also provide participants with a sense of belonging and connection to their heritage. This human-centered, adaptive approach has made a tangible difference in the lives of thousands over the past seven years.
A commitment to education and advocacy
The Center’s impact extends beyond immediate needs. Its education program has trained over 60,000 people worldwide, transforming how professionals interact with the LGBTQIA+ community, and helping spread awareness through its anti-racism training.
Through workshops for mental health providers, educators, and medical professionals, the program works to reduce HIV stigma, improve inclusivity, and create safer spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals and its intersectional communities.
This initiative has not only strengthened El Paso’s services but has also made ripple effects globally, helping to inform best practices in inclusive care.
From conducting training with entities like Georgetown, Harvard, El Paso Electric, and others, to leading the PATHS program, a program that educates healthcare providers on LGBTQIA+ issues, the Center plays a crucial role in reshaping how marginalized populations are treated in healthcare, mental health, and beyond.
This focus on education also bolsters its advocacy efforts at the local and state levels, pushing for policy changes that protect the community.
Why your support matters, now more than ever
As the only LGBTQIA+ community center within a 350-mile radius, The Center’s work is essential to the well-being of countless people in the Borderland. But none of this can continue without community support. That’s where you come in.
This fall, The Center invites you to be part of two important events that will help sustain these life-saving services: The Met Monsters Ball and El Paso Giving Day.
The Met Monsters Ball is a Halloween-themed event set for Friday, Oct. 18 at Ardovino’s Desert Crossing from 7 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $75 per person.
It isn’t just another fundraiser – it’s a celebration of resilience, love, and community. Every ticket sold will help fund therapy sessions, food assistance, and even new housing initiatives for at-risk LGBTQIA+ youth and the elderly.
It’s a night of fun that directly supports the work that transforms lives.
Meanwhile, El Paso Giving Day provides a unique opportunity for anyone to get involved. Whether you can donate $10 or $1,000, every contribution makes a significant impact. It’s a chance for the entire community — queer and straight, young and old, Latinx and beyond — to come together and ensure that The Center remains a lifeline for all who need it.
Your involvement creates change
The power of The Center lies in its real-life impact. The Center doesn’t just serve; it transforms lives by meeting people where they are and providing them with the tools they need to heal. Your support allows these moments of healing to continue, one family, one youth, one senior at a time.
By attending The Met Monsters Ball or donating on El Paso Giving Day, you’re not just giving to The Center, you’re giving back to the entire community. You’re helping ensure that no one in the Borderland is left behind.
To learn more, donate, or secure tickets for The Met Monsters Ball, visit www.borderlandrainbow.org. Together, let’s celebrate community, resilience, and the power of healing. You’re not just supporting The Center — you’re helping to heal the entire Borderland.
The Borderland Rainbow Center (The Center) serves as the heart of the LGBTQIA+ community across West Texas and Southwest New Mexico, offering critical services to two states, two nations, and LGBTQIA+ migrants. We address economic and social disparities through holistic programs like our food pantry, mental health therapy, and intergenerational support groups. Rooted in the needs of our community, we blend traditional and indigenous healing methods, such as sound baths and aromatherapy, to promote mental wellness. Our education program has trained over 60,000 people worldwide, creating safer, more inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals. We also provide vital HIV services and advocate for equity at local and state levels. As we grow, we are expanding partnerships to serve unhoused and at-risk LGBTQIA+ youth and elders.
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