Contact Us
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Locations
The Center • Palm Springs
McDonald/Wright Building (Main Hub)
Address
1301 North Palm Canyon Dr, 3rd Floor
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Building Hours
- Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 4:00pm (subject to change)
- *Fridays, July 5 – August 30 – Closing at 12:30PM
- See holiday hours here
Contact Info
(760) 416-7790
info@thecentercv.org
The Center Coachella
Eastern Coachella Valley
Address
1515 Sixth Street
Coachella, CA 92236
Building Hours
- Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm (with some evening and weekend programs/events)
- *Fridays, July 5 – August 30 – Closing at 12:30PM
- See holiday hours here
Contact Info
(760) 416-7790, Option 5
connect@thecentercv.org
Community Food Bank
Address
2901 E Alejo Road
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Food Distribution Hours
Thursdays, 5:00pm – 7:00 pm
Donation Drop-Off Hours
Tuesdays, 10:00 am – Noon
Thursdays, 10:00 am – Noon, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Contact Info
(760) 416.7790 ext. 114
programs@thecenterCV.org
2024 Holiday Closures
The Center will be closed on the following days at all locations.
- Monday, January 1st – New Year's Day
- Monday, January 15th – Martin Luther King Day
- Monday, February 19th – Presidents’ Day
- Friday, April 1st – Cesar Chavez Day (observed)
- Wednesday, May 22nd – Harvey Milk Day
- Monday, May 27th – Memorial Day
- Wednesday, June 19th - Juneteenth
- Thursday, July 4th - Independence Day
- Monday, September 2nd – Labor Day
- Monday, October 14th – Indigenous Peoples’ Day
- Monday, November 4th – Day after Palm Springs Pride Weekend
- monday, November 11th - Veterans’ Day
- Thursday, November 28th - Thanksgiving Day
- Friday, November 29th - Family Day
- Friday, December 25th - Christmas Day
The Center Palm Springs and Coachella offices will be closed beginning Wednesday, December 25th and will reopen on Thursday, January 2nd, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
General
Do I have to identify as LGBTQ+ to use your services?
Our programs and services are for everyone, regardless of how you identify! If you are LGBTQ+-affirming, you can find a connection here.
What are your hours and locations?
We have three locations where you can find unique services:
Our main hub is located at the McDonald/Wright Building at 1301 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262. Hours are 9AM – 4PM, though subject to change.
For food distribution, visit us at our Community Food Bank at 610 S. Belardo Way, Palm Springs, CA 92264. Food distribution happens every Thursday, 5PM – 7PM
For youth-oriented programs and family support in English and Spanish, check out our space at 1515 Sixth Street, Coachella, 92236, from 9AM – 4PM along with regular events and programs in the evenings and weekends.
Are your services and programs free?
We offer many free programs, though some services do require a fee. For specific information, please check for the specific program on the website where you will see the fee structure clearly marked.
How do I volunteer?
Please fill out the online Volunteer Application. Based on our needs and availability, potential volunteers will be contacted by the Volunteer Manager.
How do I become a donor/member of The Center?
Thanks for your interest in supporting The Center! We rely on individual and business donations to support general operations. You can become a member of The Center for as little as $25 a year. We also have an annual donor group called the Ocotillo Club that contributes a minimum of $100 a month.
Do you have a preferred vendors or service providers list?
Yes, we do. You can see the most updated list on our resources page.
Can we get a representative from The Center to come speak, do an LGBTQ+ training, or offer a workshop at my organization/event?
Yes! We offer speaking engagements, training, and workshops tailored to fit your needs. Please reach out to us at connect@thecentercv.org for more information.
Space-Related
Is your building ADA accessible?
Our McDonald-Wright Building in Palm Springs is a three-story building that features a wheelchair-accessible elevator, two stairwells with handrails, and ADA automatic door buttons for both the Behavioral Health Clinic (2nd floor) and the main entrance (3rd floor) along with braille signs. There are also gender-neutral, wheelchair-accessible bathroom stalls with handrails on the 2nd and 3rd floors. There are several ADA parking spots available in the parking lot.
At the Community Food Bank, there are ADA parking spots and a ramp to reach the entrance.
At The Center in Coachella, there is no ADA parking on Vine Street, but there are ADA parking spots on Orchard Street. There is a ramp to the entrance, but no automatic door buttons. There is a handrail in the gender-neutral bathroom.
Do you offer transportation resources?
Typically, The Center does not provide transportation resources like rides, bus passes, or gas cards. However, for certain programs, like the Community Food Bank or youth-centered programs out of our Coachella office, delivery or rides may be available. For information about accessing these specific resources, please contact us at connect@thecentercv.org.
Can I just come hang out or do I need to participate in something?
Community members can come and use the computers in the David Bohnett Cyber Center during regular operating hours. In Palm Springs there are no other regular hangout/drop-in hours. In Coachella, there are regular youth drop-in hours. For more information, please reach out to us at connect@thecentercv.org.
Do you have computers, printers, and free wi-fi available to use?
Yes, we have the Bohnett Cyber Center which features PC computers and printers (subject to availability) in Palm Springs and in Coachella. There is free wi-fi throughout these two sites. For information and access, please check with the front desk staff when you arrive.
Do you have meeting rooms available for rent?
Yes, we offer reasonably priced meeting rooms available for community members, organizations, and teams.
Behavioral/Emotional Health & Healthcare
Do you take insurance for Behavioral Health services?
The Center currently does not take insurance to access Behavioral Health. We do offer a sliding fee scale, from $5 to $75 dependent on income. For more information on grant-funded free counseling and eligibility, please contact the clinic at 760-416-7790, then press 3.
My friend is experiencing a mental health crisis (including suicidal), can you help them?
The Center’s Behavioral Health Clinic is NOT a crisis center. If you or someone you know is in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255. We can help support after a crisis by enrolling community members in regular, consistent therapy with a pre-licensed associate.
How soon can I see a therapist?
We typically have an average waiting list of 6 weeks. We try to place people with therapists as soon as we can. For the quickest placement, please be sure to complete your intake form and respond to all phone calls as soon as you can. For more current information on the waiting list, please call 760-416-7790, then press 3 for more information.
Do you provide medical care, or do you have a list of medical providers who are LGBTQ+ friendly?
The Center does not provide medical care, but we can help provide a list of local LGBTQ+ medical providers with whom we have worked in the past.
Do you provide transgender healthcare?
The Center is not a medical clinic, so we do not provide transgender healthcare. However, we have close partnerships with several Federally Qualified Health Centers, and other healthcare providers in the Coachella Valley. Our team can refer you to providers who have a strong record of accomplishment in serving the transgender community.
Can I get STI & HIV testing at The Center?
STI & HIV testing is not available at The Center. You can review this list of resources for free and low-cost testing across the Coachella Valley: https://www.saferstdtesting.com/free-std-testing/coachella-valley-ca
Other Resources & Assistance
How can I get food from the Food Bank? What are the eligibility requirements?
To access food at The Community Food Bank @ The Center you must bring a picture ID and/or some form of billing that has your address to prove you are a resident of Riverside County. The Food Bank is located at 610 S. Belardo, and distribution is every Thursday from 5pm – 7pm. Distribution occurs in your car and is first come first served.
Do you provide temporary or permanent housing?
The Center does not provide temporary or permanent housing, though we know LGBTQ+ people are deeply impacted by the affordable housing crisis in the Coachella Valley and across the state. Unfortunately, resources here are limited, but our Community Health Workers will do their best to connect you to local resources.
Do you offer legal assistance?
The Center does not offer legal assistance, but we can provide referrals if needed.
I am elderly or physically disabled and need a caregiver. Can The Center help?
The Center can connect you to local resources for caregivers, though we do not place individual caregivers in homes. If you are a caregiver to a partner or to a friend, we do have a weekly peer-support space that you can join.
