Apr 11, 2024
April 11, 2024 (Rochester, NY) – Trillium Health is excited to announce that the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has unanimously selected The MOCHA Center for the HRC Community Partner Award, which will be presented at the HRC Western & Central New York Dinner on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.
The HRC Community Partner Award recognizes the outstanding efforts of exceptional organizations that dedicate time, energy, spirit, and a tireless commitment to bettering the lives of LGBTQ+ people. Each year, HRC selects one organization to honor at the Western & Central New York Dinner, witnessed by 400-500 of HRC’s most influential leaders and supporters.
“We are absolutely thrilled to accept this award,” said Terence Pleasant, Director of MOCHA Community Engagement at Trillium Health. “The MOCHA Center is a program of Trillium Health that’s dedicated to the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people of color, who often face a unique set of challenges at the intersection of two marginalized communities in society. We are so proud that HRC has chosen to shine a light on a safe space where LGBTQ+ people of color can live authentically and have access to the support and resources they need to lead healthy lives.”
Founded in 1996 as the Men of Color Health Awareness Project, the MOCHA Center was first established to educate Black and Latino men about living a sex-positive life. Over the years, the mission has grown to include all LGBTQ+ people of color. Today, the MOCHA Center is located at 470 West Main Street in Rochester. It’s a safe place for LGBTQ+ people of color to learn, socialize, and address health-related issues without judgement.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, many considerations went into choosing MOCHA for the award – such as its close alignment with HRC’s mission, values, and its dedication to serving, uplifting, educating, and protecting the BIPOC LGBTQ+ members of the community. The MOCHA Center’s collaboration with the HRC Foundation to pilot the “Next Level” Program and its affiliation with Trillium Health, which consistently scores 100% on HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index, were also important factors.
“The Human Rights Campaign stands as a beacon of hope and progress as we strive for a world in which every individual is embraced, empowered, and celebrated,” said Jason Barnecut-Kearns, President and CEO of Trillium Health. “We are so honored that the MOCHA Center has been selected for this award.”
About Trillium Health
Trillium Health is a community health center dedicated to providing extraordinary care to individuals regardless of their ability to pay. With its holistic approach to healthcare, Trillium Health has a team of dedicated professionals – including physicians, nurses, care managers, and pharmacists – who work together to ensure that each patient receives the comprehensive and compassionate care they deserve. Trillium Health is proud to serve everyone who walks through the doors – regardless of income, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or ethnicity. For more information, please visit trilliumhealth.org.