More Than a Warm Hand-Off: Capacity Building with Organizations during Times of Compounding Crises

Abstract: Background and Purpose: Latinx and transgender, and gender non-conforming (TGNC) communities are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS. In the Southern US, the burden of HIV is further exacerbated by interpersonal and systemic racism, xenophobia, and transphobia. Additionally, the COVID19 pandemic, regional natural disasters, and acceleration of white supremacy situate these organizations in socio-political-environmental circumstances that further limit access to funding, resources, and capacity to serve these communities adequately. Despite these limitations, small grassroots organizations led by or primarily serving Latinx and TGNC communities lead efforts to respond to community needs. These small grassroots organizations implemented their programs and met community needs amidst systemic and environmental barriers. The aims of this paper are to 1) reflect on qualitative findings from evaluative data on facilitators and barriers, of Latinx and TGNC led programs in the South; 2) compare and contrast facilitators, barriers, and impact of funded Latinx and TGNC led programs; and 3) understand opportunities for community connectedness among Latinx and TGNC communities.

Methods: A comparative analysis was completed between 3 cohorts of funded community partners between 2019-2020 in a Capacity Building Wellness Center based in a social work graduate program at a large public university. Qualitative data were drawn from field notes taken during programmatic calls and qualitative interviews. Thematic analyses were employed to compare and contrast facilitators, barriers, and impact of Latinx and TGNC funded programs.

Results: Organizations included 11 Latinx-led or serving groups and 13 TGNC-led or serving groups across 8 southern states (AL, FL, GA, LA, NC, SC, TN, TX). Most (81%) organizations were Latinx or Black-led, and staff size varied from 0 to 120. Shared barriers to program implementation included COVID-19 restrictions, natural disasters, while barriers unique to each group included racism, language access, and transphobia. Shared facilitators for program implementation included flexibility of programmatic work, virtual programming, and funding while facilitators unique to each group included programming and resources in their native language and virtual spaces to enhance access to TGNC affirming care. Finally, the shared impact of their programs included community connectedness while impacts unique to Latinx organizations were mobilization compared to increasing access to TGNC affirming general, gender, and HIV by TGNC led groups.

Conclusion and Implications: The results of participant ethnographic data and notes from the field outlines where Latinx and TGNC communities share experiences during unsettling times. However, the two encounter unique barriers and approaches that vary to responding to community needs. Findings will inform how the Capacity Building Wellness Center will enhance programmatic work to support Latinx and TGNC organizations in 2021.