A reception welcoming The L-Fund to The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert was held at The Center’s McDonald/Wright Building in Palm Springs July 14. The L-Fund is joining forces with The Center, hoping to continue fulfilling its mission of empowering cis, trans and queer-identifying lesbians and helping them envision a tomorrow that’s full of promise.
“That night, our meeting room was full, and attendees began spilling out into the hallway,” said Karyl Ketchum, newly appointed director of The L-Fund at The Center. “But what made the evening so special wasn’t just the number of guests. It’s what those guests represented. More than a hundred women and men gathered for this inaugural event to celebrate our lesbian community working as one with The Center. It was powerful affirmation, demonstrating that the needs and unique experiences of lesbians in Coachella Valley do indeed matter.”Since 2012, The L-Fund has made a lasting difference in the lives of so many lesbians and strengthened a feeling of sisterhood in meaningful ways.
“Through The L-Fund’s new relationship with The Center, that impact will continue to grow,” said Mike Thompson, The Center’s chief executive officer. “We’re honored to carry that legacy forward to ensure it continues to benefit even more lesbians in need throughout our area for years to come.”
The evening’s attendees comprised many women who have donated, volunteered, served on The L-Fund’s board, received support and witnessed how it has cared for the community. “Seeing so many women gather to celebrate The L-Funds’ founders and what they created is a powerful way to mark this new chapter,” Thompson said.
LGBTQ centers at times struggle with how best to serve lesbians and queer-identifying women, focusing primarily on social and behavioral services. The L-Fund targets needs that fall outside of customary programming, like financial aid to help avert temporary hardships, educational support and assistance for artists.
“We identified a gap in the community and try to fill it,” said Robbin Burr, former L-Fund board co-chair and now The Center’s board secretary. “The L-Fund will benefit from the infrastructure and stability of a larger organization to deliver more services. The Center, in turn, will gain a deeper understanding of how to reach a population that has not seen itself as well-represented within The Center’s walls. This merger will give us all the opportunity to build something that’s influential and can endure.”
The L-Fund was founded by a small but resolute group of women who recognized the need to support those who might be vulnerable. “They each started putting $20 in a collection basket,” said Mae Ling Tom, board member at The Center. The L-Fund’s first donation was $120, given to a woman who needed help purchasing her prescription medication. “What began as a simple act of generosity blossomed into a tradition, and the spirit of giving has never changed.” That gathering of women soon become a thriving nonprofit organization, providing nearly $100,000 of financial assistance in 2025 to lesbians in our community.
Brina Simon’s story demonstrates how The L-Fund’s work is grounded in the simple premise of women helping other women. Simon became a quadriplegic in 2023. She moved into her grandmother’s home in Palm Springs, which was more accessible. “A friend suggested I reach out to the L-Fund for help,” she said. “Soon, two wonderful members showed up at my door. They made me feel so safe and cared for.”
Initially, the plan was to help convert Simon’s shower, but that turned out to be cost prohibitive. The L-Fund asked if there was something else it could do. Simon needed a way to get dressed independently and was familiar with Pants Up Easy, an ability tool for wheelchair users.
“They got back to me and said ‘Yes!’ Thanks to The L-Fund, I’m now able to put on my pants every day,” she said. “Providing me with the equipment was one thing, but the friendship and warmth they have shown is just remarkable. I’d have a completely different life here if I hadn’t reached out to them.”
A founding member and long-time supporter of The L-Fund, Ruth Debra attended the recent reception. She was excited about the enthusiastic crowd in attendance and all the goings-on.
“My hope is that someday soon, a flock of multihued lesbians will take the reins at The Center,” Debra said at the event. “It’s about time!” The capacity crowd concurred, roaring with laughter and erupting in cheers. It certainly looks like The L-Fund’s time at The Center has finally come.
Learn more about The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert at thecentercv.org. Learn more about The L-Fund at The Center at thecentercv.org/en/l-fund.
See additional photos from this event at desertsun.com/life/desert-scene.
Sergio Garcia enjoys writing about the good people that do great things in our community. Contact him at sergio071364@aol.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: The L-Fund joins forces with Coachella Valley LGBTQ Center
Reporting by Sergio Garcia, Special to The Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sergio Garcia, Special to The Desert Sun | USA TODAY Network
