Q: What does “health equity” mean?

A: Health equity means everyone has a fair chance to be healthy—no matter their race, income, ZIP code, or identity. It’s about removing barriers (like racism, poverty, or lack of access) that keep people from getting the care they deserve.

Q: What does “racial justice” mean at TruEvolution?

A: Racial justice means we actively work to undo the impact of racism on health and housing. We don’t just “treat everyone the same” — we focus extra effort and resources on Black, Brown, and other communities of color who’ve been harmed by inequitable systems.

Q: What do LGBTQ, LGBTQ+, and queer mean?

A: LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and other sexual and gender diverse people. “Queer” is a reclaimed, inclusive term some people use for themselves. We serve LGBTQ+ people, but many of our services are open to everyone.

Q: What does “Inland Empire (IE)” mean?

A: The Inland Empire is the region that includes Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Many of our services focus on people who live, work, or spend most of their time in the IE.

Q: What is HIV?

A: HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system. Without treatment it can lead to AIDS, but with medication people living with HIV can have long, healthy, full lives.

Q: What is HIV testing?

A: HIV testing is a blood or oral swab test that checks if you have HIV. At TruEvolution, testing is paired with education, safer sex supplies, and support—especially if your result is positive or you want to talk about prevention options.

Q: What is STI testing?

A: STI testing checks for sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and others. It may include urine tests, swabs, and/or blood tests. STI testing is often offered alongside HIV testing.

Q: What is PrEP?

A: PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a daily pill or regular injection that HIV-negative people can take to greatly reduce their chances of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use.

Q: What is PEP?

A: PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is emergency HIV medication taken after a possible exposure—ideally within 72 hours—to reduce the chance of infection. It’s for situations like condom break, sexual assault, or other high-risk exposures.

Q: What does “undetectable” or “viral suppression” mean? (U=U)

A: When someone living with HIV takes treatment consistently, the amount of virus in their blood can become so low it doesn’t show up on standard lab tests. This is called “undetectable” or “virally suppressed.” Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U), which means they do not sexually transmit HIV to their partners.

Q: What is “linkage to care”?

A: Linkage to care is the process of connecting someone who is newly diagnosed with HIV—or is out of care—into medical care, medications, labs, and support services as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Q: What is case management / non-medical case management?

A: Case management is when a staff member helps you navigate services. They can assist with appointments, insurance and benefits, medication access, housing referrals, transportation, and other practical needs that affect your health.

Q: What are “Housing Services”?

A: Housing Services includes TruEvolution’s help with finding safe housing, paying for move-in costs or rent, and connecting people to emergency, rapid, transitional, or longer-term housing programs—plus supportive services to help people stay housed.

Q: What is “housing insecurity”?

A: Housing insecurity means your housing is unstable—like couch-surfing, staying in unsafe or temporary places, being behind on rent, or being at risk of losing your home. You do not have to be sleeping outside to be considered housing insecure.

Q: What is Emergency Housing / HOPWA / Project RoomKey?

A: Emergency Housing is short-term housing (often hotel or motel stays) for people in crisis. Some emergency housing is funded by HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS) and related programs. These programs are designed to keep people safe while longer-term options are explored.

Q: What is Rapid Housing or Rapid Rehousing?

A: Rapid Housing (or Rapid Rehousing) is short- to medium-term help—like rent assistance and support services—designed to quickly move people from homelessness or unsafe situations into stable housing so they can rebuild from there.

Q: What is Transitional Housing?

A: Transitional housing is longer, program-based housing where people stay for a set period of time while working on stability, employment, treatment, or education goals. It is more structured than a shelter, but not permanent housing.

Q: What is Project Legacy?

A: Project Legacy is TruEvolution’s transitional housing campus and community space in downtown Riverside. It combines housing with onsite health, behavioral health, workforce, and community supports for people experiencing homelessness and health inequities.

Q: What are “wrap-around services”?

A: Wrap-around services means surrounding a person with a full circle of support—housing help, medical care, mental health, benefits, education, workforce support, and more—so they are not trying to navigate systems alone.

Q: What does “Behavioral Health” mean?

A: Behavioral Health covers mental health and related services—like therapy, counseling, support groups, and help with stress, trauma, or substance use. It focuses on how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors affect your overall health.

Q: What is clinical therapy / counseling?

A: Clinical therapy is one-on-one, family, or relationship counseling with a licensed or supervised clinician. It’s a private space to talk about things like depression, anxiety, trauma, relationships, grief, and identity.

Q: What are support groups?

A: Support groups are regular group meetings for people with shared experiences (for example, LGBTQ+ youth, people living with HIV, trans and nonbinary folks, survivors, or family members). Groups offer space to share, listen, build community, and receive tools—not just “vent.”

Q: What does “trauma-informed” care mean?

A: Trauma-informed care assumes that many people have experienced trauma. Staff focus on safety, choice, consent, and respect, and try to avoid practices that could re-trigger or re-traumatize clients.

Q: What does “sex-positive” mean?

A: Sex-positive means we talk about sex without shame. We focus on consent, safety, pleasure, and respect for people’s identities and choices—not judgment.

Q: What does “culturally humble” mean?

A: Culturally humble means our staff understand they are always learning about people’s cultures, histories, and identities. They approach you with curiosity and respect instead of assumptions or stereotypes.

Q: What is Youth United?

A: Youth United is TruEvolution’s youth advocacy and health education program. It centers young people—especially LGBTQ+ youth—through conferences, workshops, mentoring, and leadership development focused on mental health, sexual health, and organizing.

Q: What is the Street Medicine Program?

A: The Street Medicine Program brings health and support services directly to people living outside or in encampments. Teams meet people where they are, offer care and supplies, and connect them to ongoing services and housing support.

Q: What is the Mobile Testing Unit?

A: The Mobile Testing Unit is a team and vehicle that bring HIV/STI testing, education, and prevention resources to events and community locations like schools, bars, churches, and health fairs.

Q: What is the IE LGBTQ+ Center?

A: The IE LGBTQ+ Center is a community center powered by TruEvolution on the Project Legacy campus. It offers a safe, affirming space for LGBTQ+ people and allies in Riverside and San Bernardino counties to gather, access resources, attend groups and events, and build community.

Q: What is “intake”?

A: Intake is the first step to starting services. Staff collect basic information, talk with you about your needs and goals, and determine which programs are the best fit. This might happen by phone, online, or in person.

Q: What is a “referral”?

A: A referral is when you are connected to a service—either by another organization, a provider, or by TruEvolution staff internally. Sometimes a referral is a form; sometimes it’s a direct warm hand-off to another team.

Q: What is a “waitlist”?

A: A waitlist is used when a program is full but you are eligible. Your name is added to a list, and staff contact you in order when a spot opens. When possible, we also share other resources to use while you wait.

Q: What is a “sliding scale”?

A: A sliding scale means the cost for a service is based on your income and ability to pay. People with higher income may pay more; people with lower income may pay less or nothing at all.