Additional Support for LGBTQIA+ Comes to San Bernardino

By Caitlyn Kautzman Staff Writer

Support for the LGBTQIA+ community has been growing steadily with increased visibility and acceptance from society. Despite this increased community visibility, the amount of support has been relatively limited for San Bernardino County, which is the largest county in the country. This prompted the opening of a new supportive housing shelter in the heart of the city of San Bernardino designed especially for those who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. This shelter was made possible by the non-profit organization Family Assistance Program which has been providing victim services such as advocacy and shelter to those in need in San Bernardino County since 1985.

The LGBTQIA+ shelter photographed above is proud to be the first of its kind in San Bernardino County, presenting its pride flag for all to see.

This new shelter is called Welcome Home and is specifically designed for transitional-age youth (TAY), who are homeless or are at risk for homelessness, and who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. This 90-day housing first program allows individuals to receive housing free of rent while receiving in-house and outsourced support from advocates as well as weekly case management from an on-site case manager.

The case manager of Welcome Home is the person who works one-on-one with the clients to set goals and helps assess needs on a client-to-client basis. CSUSB alumni, Oscar Lobos is the case manager of Welcome Home and felt “called to this line of work” four years prior when he began his advocacy work at a youth shelter.

“I was attracted to helping people. I found that this was my niche. This is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” said Lobos.

Lobos shared that helping in shelters was particularly important to his sense of purpose. He believed Welcome Home gave him a sense of necessity for helping others.

“I found purpose in it. And then when it was presented with LGBT, I just felt this sense of necessity,” said Lobos.

Lobos has always dreamed of opening his own LGBT shelter, so when this opportunity presented itself, he felt as though he was made for the job.

When asked about support for the LGBTQIA+ community that existed prior to the opening of Welcome Home, Lobos claimed there wasn’t much support in sight.

“Support for the community has been far and few,” said Lobos.

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