My name is Indigo Hernandez, and I am thrilled to be the Director of Education and Reproductive Health at EBCCN. I am a Eastside San Jose native who cares deeply about intertwining community, culture, and comprehensive reproductive education. Reproductive rights and queer health became an interest of mine when attending high school and realizing just how limited the scope of our sexual education was due to a lack of funding. In response, I helped to establish a club where we reached out to local community-based organizations to create a comprehensive reproductive and sexual education learning experience for students. Some of these organizations included the LGBTQ+ Youth Center in Santa Clara and Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, where I would end up volunteering and interning at years later! 

After high school, I studied Critical Race, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Cal Poly Humboldt and worked as the campus-wide LGBTQ+ Community Coordinator- organizing educational workshops, distributing safe-sex products, and graduation celebrations for queer students. I then went on to work as a Peer Health Intern focusing on sexual health and emergency contraceptive education. Post-Covid, I attended Cal State East Bay, obtaining my B.A in Ethnic Studies with a concentration in Gender and Sexualities in Communities of Color. During my time there I worked as an intern for Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte, focusing on the policy side of transgender and gender inclusive (TGI) care, reproductive rights, access to abortion, and community health. I also helped to found the chapter of Planned Parenthood Generation Action at CSUEB, and worked on the executive team organizing discussions about reproductive health, distribution efforts of emergency contraception, and hosting panelist events with local community health leaders to address the needs of students. Our chapter also grew to be partnered with Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity (URGE), whom we collaborated with for harm reduction efforts on campus.

I am currently in the process of applying to Masters programs and deeply grateful to be a part of the East Bay Community Care Network, and will be working to implement programs in the East Bay that address the needs of young folks who deserve access to comprehensive reproductive health education. Community is strongest when we learn from each other, and I hope to learn from everyone as much as I am able to teach! 

Outside of my work here, I also have worked as a barista for 5 years and have strong skills in latte art, leadership, and have a large affinity to games such as Minecraft and Stardew Valley!