CK LIFE

By Genaro Urso

September 3, 2008

Education is the only defense we have against hate crimes. Keeping our readers informed is something I feel strongly about. In between my reporting on hate crimes and status of pending cases I will be highlighting community based services throughout the country. Kim Watson a founding member of CK Life has spent many years reaching out in her community. According to Kim the meaning of CK Life is Community Kinship Life. She strongly believes that the best way to achieve or have a fulfilling life is to establish a strong sense of Community and a strong sense of Kinship (Family). Transgender individuals have often been known to feel isolated by friends and disowned by their family. At CK Life they are about creating a strong bond as a community and establishing such strong connections that the client feels like the people talking are talking to family.

The mission of CK Life is to provide the Trans community with the tools needed to achieve their personal goals while having a sense of community and kinship. This includes providing useful information that will help people who are looking to lead the most productive life during and after transition with regards to health, employment and day to day social interactions.

She has been very active in the New York activism scene. Kim has been appointed to be the chair-person for the New York City Prevention Planning Group’s Transgender Advisory Committee. She is also a active spokeswoman for the American Legacy Foundation .She continues to deliver adequate services to the transgender community through her endeavors. Kim was elected to be on the Sylvia Law Project Board of Directors. Kim is currently serving as the Navigator and Retention of Care Specialist for the Transgender Program at Community Healthcare Network in the Bronx. She is a political activist and has worked with Transjustice ,a political group created by and for trans and gender non-conforming people of color, which is a project of the Audre Lorde Project which is for LGBTIS people of color community organization .

CK Life has a wide variety of services available to their clients. Often times identification planning can be difficult. CK Life works with the client base and legal methods of name and gender identity issues. They work in education so many trans people may find gainful employment. Many social issues arise during the transition and their purpose is to not only deal with the client but get the family involved through family education.

At C.K. Life education in HIV and STD prevention is among other topics and services that are provided. Through prevention and education it is Kim’s goal to one client at a time reduce the statistical disparity that exists currently in New York as it is currently has the highest rate of HIV. CK Life has partnered with many other organizations in New York and throughout the country to assist in prevention of HIV.

For more information you can log on to http://cklifecoach.tripod.com/ or contact them direct email cklifecoach@gmail.com. The can also be contacted at (347)881-7005