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The Vallarta Gay + Community Center (VG+CC) has named Poncho Davalos to its board as an adjunct board member, and named a new business manager as well as a volunteer coordinator.
VG+CC, Morelos #101 Local 3B, above the Santander Bank, was founded in February 2024 and provides free HIV testing, STD testing, PrEP, PEP, DoxyPEP, and more.
Poncho Davalos joins the board as an adjunct board member with more than 12 years of experience in real estate and has resided in Puerto Vallarta since 2009. He was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico. The adjunct board member is one of two non-voting positions on the Board intended to increase community representation. This position is also intended to help give experience to and train future Board members for success. The VG+CC is currently seeking one more adjunct member.
“Our community has grown so much since I arrived in 2009 and so many newcomers have brought energy and interest in establishing a community center,” Poncho said. “I see big opportunities to harness this energy to improve our community’s physical and mental health, as well as to empower and help those in need. Puerto Vallarta has given a lot to me and it’s my time to give back to the community.”
Tina Kunkel has been hired as the organization’s administrator and will oversee all business operations. She has been a fixture in Puerto Vallarta’s LGBTQ+ and charitable communities. Tina hails from Germany where she graduated from a well renowned Hotel Management School with a degree in Tourism and Hotel Administration, Tina is fluent in Spanish, English and German. She previously was operations manager at Casa Cupula, and also administered the Puerto Vallarta SPCA for three years.
“I fell in love with Puerto Vallarta when I moved here almost 20 years ago and our large, vibrant gay community is one of the reasons,” she said. “My two favorite work experiences were working at Casa Cupula where I met so many amazing people from the LGBTQ+ community, and the meaningful work at the nonprofit animal shelter, Puerto Vallarta SPCA. Getting this opportunity to work with the Vallarta Gay+ Community Center feels like a perfect match for me, and I am excited to help grow this great project.”
Abraham Castro has been hired to coordinate volunteers to help further the outreach and prevention programs offered by the Center. Castro is a psychologist who graduated from the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos (UAEM), in the State of Morelos, and has 16 years of experience in Mexican Sign Language. Living in Vallarta since 2021, he has worked as a counselor in the LGBTQ+ community in the areas of HIV prevention and other sexually transmitted infections.
The expansion of personnel allows VG+CC to expand operating hours to include Saturdays from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Monday to Friday the office is open 10:00AM – 8:00 PM and walk-in appointments are available. The office is located at Morelos #101 Local 3B, above the Santander Bank.
“With these incredible individuals joining our team, we are poised to build out our services beyond free PrEP distribution and STI testing and treatment,” Don Pickens, Board President said. “The outpouring of support from the LGBT+ community in Vallarta has given us the resources we need to fuel our growth. We are looking forward to announcing more services this fall as we begin our first annual fundraising drive.”FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Jet de la Isla jet@vallartagaycc.com or Executive Director Pedro Lopez pedro@vallartagaycc.com or visitt www.vallartagaycc.com.
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