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Ingersoll Gender Center Introduces Vocational Support Program

(January 24, 2012  – Seattle, WA)  Ingersoll Gender Center announces a new support group for people in the Transgender  community who want to find work or improve their career.  Seattle Transgender Economic Empowerment Project (STEEP), a program of Ingersoll Gender Center, will meet twice monthly, on the first and third Thursdays.  We will address issues related to the challenging job market.  The group will be led by veteran Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Joy Shiels and Ingersoll Board Member, Ryan Blackhawke.  Joy has 25 years of experience working in vocational rehabilitation and currently works out of the North Seattle Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) office.  Ryan has over 20 years of experience as a community activist for LGBT issues.  Ryan is a seasoned facilitator of Ingersoll’s peer support groups and serves as Director of Communications on Ingersoll’s Board.

 The initial meeting, to be held on Thursday February 2

nd from 7:00-9:00 PM at Seattle Counseling Service (1216 Pine Street, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98101), will be an informational session for anyone interested.  We will discuss what people need and want from this support forum and together we will define the work of the group for an ongoing series of 9 sessions.  Among the issues to be addressed are: the job search, personal presentation, discrimination in the job search and on the job, developing a vocational plan for personal and economic improvement, and accessing community resources.

The National Transgender Discrimination Survey released by The Task Force and National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) show that transgender individuals face extremely high barriers to economic security. A shocking 90% of respondents reported facing discrimination on the job. 41% of respondents have attempted suicide and respondents were four times more likely to live in poverty.

 The STEEP Vocational Support Group is the first action step in the development of a permanent economic empowerment project for members of the Transgender Community.  We are excited about expanding the collaboration and support of the community as well as the vocational potential of our members.

Ingersoll Gender Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports Transgender and Gender Variant people toward growth and well-being.  Support groups are at Seattle Counseling Service – 1216 Pine Street Seattle, WA every Wednesday from  7:00PM – 9:00PM.  For more information, please visit Ingersoll Gender Center’s website at http://ingersollcenter.org or email at [email protected].

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Ms. Sarah j Babcock
11 years ago

I’d like to support transgendered prisoners. Prisoners could write Ms. Sarah j Babcock, c/o Choices For Safer Communities, P.O.Box 2248, Richland, WA. 99352. Prisoners could write for educational material and some pen palling. Spread the word Please! Thank you.