Ventura County Rainbow Alliance

Our mission is to promote equality through education and advocacy, offer resources and referrals, provide social services, and support activities which enhance the health and well-being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV/AIDS-affected individuals, their families and friends in Ventura County.

Description:
Founded in 1993 . There are an estimated 40,000 LGBT living in Ventura County. Ventura County Rainbow Alliance serves as the town-square for these communities, building strong support networks by offering life-saving and life-enhancing services and programs in three (3) areas:

) mental health and social services;
) cultural, artistic and recreational opportunities;
) advocacy; voter education and mobilization.

All programs and services are made available regardless of participants ability to pay. VCRA serves the entire County of Ventura, and it is Ventura County's only LGBT agency. VCRA is the largest private provider of HIV/ AIDS services in the County .

Contact person: Jay Smith, Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Main office number: (805) 653-5711
Office fax number: (805) 653-5711

Address:

P.O. Box 6844
Ventura, CA 93006

Web Site: http://www.lgbtventura.org

Last updated on January 20, 2010

Overall Experience Experience rating

I really enjoyed my job while completing my internship as a substance abuse counselor. The fact that I was able to listen and help the women I worked with made my job well worth it.

I have worked as a volunteer intern for two substance abuse facilities here in Ventura County, while working on my Addictive Disorder Studies; which I have completed. At the first facility, I worked with men, women and teens, and in the second facility, I worked only with women with and without children. I have had experience in the area of assessment, treatment planning, family issues, referrals, charting, dispensing of medications, one on ones, group counseling and co-facilitation of parenting courses. In regards to any positive experiences while working in this field, there are many. While working with the clients, I learned to be very compassionate to my client's issues. I also learned that the key to a good counselor is empathy and listening skills which are very important.
posted by corinna on November 15, 2005

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