Services
LIFE SKILLS CENTER
SANCTUARY Palm Springs offers a wide range of educational and skill building programs.
With nearly a one to one ratio of computers available for our residents use they can have easy access for school, job searching and learning about technology. Our in-house library of books, music and film is available to help our residents understand the importance of being culturally aware and to entertain themselves.
At Sanctuary Palm Springs, the residents learn the skills necessary to become self sufficient adults prepared to take on the responsibilities of employment to cover their living expenses and be a part of the greater community.
Social Activities &
Community Engagement
1
Leadership Training
Our residents will learn from a host of mentors how to get involved in community projects; becoming volunteers themselves, helping others and learning leadership skills.
2
Community Outreach
& Advocacy
Through community partnerships with local organizations like the LGBT Center, the Desert AIDS Project, the Trans Community Coalition and the Palm Springs Cultural Center, Our residents are part of a network of organizations dedicated to LGBTQ awareness and education. Our residents will participate in activities that reflect the community spirit of the LGBT family.
3
Listening & Learning
From Each Other
"Family Meetings" provide SPS residents the chance to express themselves in a safe and non-judgmental space of mutual respect and honesty.
Social Activities &
Community Engagement
1
Leadership Training
Our residents will learn from a host of mentors how to get involved in community projects; becoming volunteers themselves, helping others and learning leadership skills.
2
Community Outreach
& Advocacy
Through community partnerships with local organizations like the LGBT Center, the Desert AIDS Project, the Trans Community Coalition and the Palm Springs Cultural Center, Our residents are part of a network of organizations dedicated to LGBTQ awareness and education. Our residents will participate in activities that reflect the community spirit of the LGBT family.
3
Listening & Learning
From Each Other
"Family Meetings" provide SPS residents the chance to express themselves in a safe and non-judgmental space of mutual respect and honesty.
Social Activities &
Community Engagement
1
Leadership Training
Our residents learn from a host of volunteers and community leaders on how to get involved in community projects; becoming volunteers themselves, helping others and learning leadership skills.
2
Community Outreach
& Advocacy
Through community partnerships with local organizations including The LGBT Community Center of the Desert, the Desert AIDS Project, the Trans Community Coalition, the Palm Springs Cultural Center, Cup of Happy and others. Our residents are part of a network of organizations dedicated to LGBT awareness and youth education. Our residents participate in activities that reflect the community spirit of the LGBT family.
3
Listening & Learning
From Each Other
"Family Meetings" provide SPS residents the chance to express themselves in a safe and non-judgmental space of mutual respect and honesty.
Support Systems:
TRAINED STAFF
SPS residents receive ongoing support by our 24 hour in-house staff in order to meet their educational, professional and life goals.
Our residential staff includes a Masters level Program Director, Case Manager, and Resident Advocates all of whom are dedicated to ensuring a safe and supportive home environment.
SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY and EXPRESSION (SOGIE)
Sanctuary Palm Springs is uniquely designed to address the specific needs of LGBTQ+ Transition Aged Foster Youth
MEDICAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
SPS residents receive high quality LGBTQ+ competent healthcare, including medical, dental vision and behavioral care, through a partnership with Desert AIDS Project.
Residents also receive weekly individual therapy provided by a PhD-level clinical psychologist.
INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS
Working with the Oak Grove Center our residents participate in THRIVE an ongoing series of interactive workshops designed to promote permanency through positive relationships.
INDIVIDUAL CASE MANAGEMENT
Our full-time Case Manager works with each of our residents on an ongoing basis to asses their individual needs including developing monitoring and evaluating treatment and life goal plans.
TRANS SPECIFIC RESOURCES
SPS Staff assist our transgender residents throughout their legal and medical transitions. This includes assisting with ID and name changes, birth certificates and access to trans supportive healthcare, hormone therapy, transition surgeries and after care.
OTHER INITIATIVES
Health and Wellness
The health and wellness of our residents is a big priority for us. So we encourage our young people to eat well and exercise. We help them learn to shop for and prepare healthy food.
Our staff and a volunteers take them on hikes, and other physical activities.
We have a small home gym with weightlifting equipment, yoga mats, jump ropes, and other workout equipment.
With the help of local fitness trainers our youth learn how to maintain their physical fitness. Our residents carry the heavy load of stress and anxiety owing to the abuse, neglect, and rejection they have experienced in their young lives. So having access to a safe and comfortable place to workout means much more to them than physical fitness. It is a healthy way for them to relieve their stress and anxiety so they are better able to function in the world.
Our Health and Wellness Initiative is supported by the generosity of the Local Donors.
Speakers Bureau
Many LGBTQ foster youth do not have access to positive adult role models, particularly adults who were once where our residents are now, who have gone on to live productive, healthy, and happy lives. So we are convening a pool of speakers, comprised of former foster youth as well as other LGBTQ+ adults, who meet with the residents to share their experiences and offer insights into the strategies, people, organizations and/or resources that were most helpful to them in their transition to adulthood.
Examples of recent speakers include authors, tech industry experts, holistic health care providers, legal advocates, and many others.
Our residents love to hear stories of those who have walked in their shoes and who have gone on to do what our youth hope to do—lead happy adult lives.
We encourage anyone interested in speaking with the Sanctuary residents through our Speakers Bureau to contact us and we’ll be happy to schedule a time for you to share your story with them.
Our Speakers Bureau is supported by the generosity of the Western Wind Foundation.
