Today we’d like to introduce you to Turquoise Teagle. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Turquoise 10-year Navy career bestowed them the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and the Pistol Sharpshooter Ribbon. Turquoise served during DADT. This led to a career in advocating for rights and equality for all. Being a non-binary person of color, Turquoise faced bullying/ medical mistreatment. Turquoise didn’t see any representation of themselves and was constantly underserved during medical appointments. For 9 years, Turquoise fought to raise awareness about the lack of medical support. Turquoise discovered the root cause. In October 2012, their advocacy helped open a new VA clinic dedicated to women’s health. Prior to joining Doors of Change as a Case manager, Turquoise was the site coordinator for Crowne Plaza during The Pandemic, an Outreach Coordinator for the Veterans Village, and an Unhoused Care Team Coordinator at Downtown San Diego Partnership. For their leadership and dedication to the unhoused community, Turquoise received the Staff of the Year award given by the Regional Task Force on Homelessness. Turquoise was the Youth Housing Manager at The Center. They managed the Housing Our Youth Project. Which works to intercept youth experiencing homelessness, many of whom are LGBTQ. Turquoise is a model and spokesperson for Dapper Boi, an LGBTQ fashion brand that makes gender-affirming clothes affordable and accessible. They volunteer with the Regional Task Force on Homelessness for the Point in Time Count. This helps the region apply for funds needed to address the homelessness crisis. Turquoise is currently a case manager for Doors of change. An organization that assist unhoused youth 17-25.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being at the intersection of being black, a woman, and LGBTQ+ can bring about a range of challenges. Some struggles might include facing discrimination and prejudice from multiple angles, dealing with stereotypes and microaggressions, and navigating societal expectations.
We’ve been impressed with Doors of Change, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What sets Doors of Change apart from other organizations, there are a couple of key things. First off, our response time is top-notch. We make it a priority to answer youth right away and provide services as soon as possible, sometimes even on the same day. That quick action can make a big difference in their lives. Another thing that sets us apart is our leadership. Our leaders are really hands-on and involved in the day-to-day operations. They’re out there on the streets doing outreach work, which isn’t something you see with every organization. It shows their dedication and commitment to making a positive impact. Lastly, the supportive nature of our team is something special. We all work together as a team, providing support to one another. It’s not just about individual contributions but about coming together and making a collective effort. That sense of unity and teamwork really makes a difference in the work we do.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I encourage all individuals in the work to seek mentorship and self-care
Contact Info:
- Website: Doorsofchange.org
