Care Resource to host a book reading by Jazz Jennings, a blossoming youth in transition
Care Resource to welcome transgender activist and trailblazer, Jazz Jennings, a 13-year-old transgender girl diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria, who began her transition at the age of five. Jennings will read excerpts from her upcoming book, I Am Jazz, which is being published by Penguin Books and set for release on September 4, 2014. The intimate reading will take place at Care Resource (871 West Oakland Park Blvd.) on June 25, 2014 at 1PM with a Q&A for guests, clients and staff to follow.
“I look forward to the day when the whole world understands and accepts transgender kids like me. I hope that my book will open hearts and minds, so that this goal can become a reality. There’s still too much hatred and bigotry towards all trans people. We have a lot of work to do, but I’m confident that, I am Jazz, will educate many people and help trans kids who are feeling alone and rejected,” says Jazz Jennings.
In addition to her book, Jennings, along with her mother Jeanette, established the Transkids Purple Rainbow Foundation to assist other transitioning youth and their families. In June 2012, Jennings was awarded the Colin Higgins Youth Courage Award by the Trevor Project for her work in advocating for the LGBT community and educating others.
“This book reading by Jazz Jennings is an educational and empowering opportunity for both Care Resource staff and clients. We’ve always been an organization that cared for and supported the LGBT community and this is another example of our commitment,” says Rick Siclari, CEO of Care Resource. “As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Care Resource is uniquely positioned to assist transgender, transsexual and gender non-conforming individuals with their health care management needs and much more.”
Care Resource’s primary care providers are trained in the management of hormone treatment and follow the guidelines set forth by the Endocrine Treatment of Transsexual Persons from the Endocrine Society. Additionally, Care Resource therapists are State of Florida registered or licensed and meet the competency requirements for mental health professionals contained in the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care. In corporation with its service partners, Care Resource also hosts name change clinics on specific dates/times for transgender individuals who are interested in legal name changes to align with their gender identity.
Care Resource expanded its trans-friendly services by opening the first Transgender Drop-in Center in Miami-Dade County, in collaboration with Trans-Miami, located in Miami Beach at SoBe Thrifty (1435 Alton Rd.). The center is a one-stop resource for trans-needs and services including job searches, counseling and free HIV testing. In addition, Care Resource has partnered with T-House/THIA, an HIV/AIDS initiative implemented by the Broward County Health Department, to produce “Talkin’ T,” an open topic forum for the transgender community, which meets every third Monday of the month at Fusion (2304 NE 7th Ave.) in Wilton Manors.
For More Information Contact:
Jonathan Welsh
Marketing and Development Manager
jwelsh@careresource.org
Tel: 305-576-1234 x 249
