Valley Crisis Center

Join the Gustine Traveling Library for their R.E.A.D. Campaign kickoff event!

Teachers from across Merced, Stanislaus, and Mariposa County are invited to come down June 20th to learn about their campaign, get free books for their classrooms, and a free LEARN Education poster!

Don't miss it!

For many children, summer means sleeping in, playing outside, and enjoying a break from school. But for some families, it also means one less reliable meal each day. That's why we're here.

Beginning June 17, our patio becomes more than a place to eat it becomes a place where children and teens can count on a nutritious lunch, a friendly smile, fun activity and a welcoming community.

Whether you're spending the summer at home, helping care for younger siblings, or simply need a meal to get through the day, there's a seat waiting for you.

🍎 FREE Summer Lunch
📅 June 17 – July 23
⏰ 11 AM–12 PM
👧🧒 Open to all children and teens ages 1–18
🚫 Closed June 19 & July 3

No child should have to wonder where lunch is coming from this summer. If you know a family who could benefit, please help spread the word.
See you on our patio this summer! 🧡

❓What is Physical Abuse❓

Physical Abuse is the threat of harm or any forceful behavior that intentionally or accidentally causes bodily harm. It can also include holding someone down or preventing them from leaving. It also includes acts that destroy property.

It can take the form of:
🚩Physical attacks like hitting, kicking, biting, strangling, or spitting
🚩Punching holes in walls
🚩Damaging belongings
🚩Throwing objects at a person
🚩Holding someone down

In LGBTQ relationships, it can also look like:
🚩Targeting a partner's ge****ls or chest for physical violence
🚩Not letting a partner heal from gender-affirming surgeries
🚩Denying a partner access to hormones
🚩Public displays of affection in dangerous (Anti-LGBTQ) areas
🚩Threats of su***de by the abusive partner

Source: Recognizing and Addressing Intimate Partner Violence in Relationships of LGBTQ People: A Primer for Health Centers

Merced Pride at the Park is this Sunday! 🌈✨

We’re super excited to tease some of the upcoming vendors we’ll have at our pride event at Applegate Park! You’ll be able to shop locally, gather community resources and find support! 💖

Sunday, June 14th, 10AM - 3PM
Applegate Park, Merced CA

Don’t forget to wear sunscreen! We’ll have hydration and cooling stations for anyone who needs them!

See you there! 👀🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence need access to Supportive Services such as shelter, emergency medical care, mental health counseling, police, and legal services.

⛔️⛔️⛔️

Folks in the LGBTQ Community face barriers that prevent them from accessing those same services.

Almost half of LGBTQ survivors who seek shelter report being denied access; of those, nearly one-third are turned away because of their gender identity.

LGBTQ Survivors - especially bisexual and transgender women - may experience violence and discrimination in shelters.

Cisgender men and transgender people may have difficulty finding shelters that accommodate their gender.

An abusive same-gender partner may try to access the same shelter as the survivor.

Source: Recognizing and Addressing Intimate Partner Violence in Relationships of LGBTQ People: A Primer for Health Centers