Lgbt Center Of Raleigh Inc

TO SERVE, EMPOWER, AND ADVOCATE FOR THE WELL-BEING OF OUR DIVERSE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITIES. THE CENTER ENVISIONS AN INCLUSIVE WORLD WHERE LGBTQ+ PEOPLE ARE THRIVING, EQUAL, AND VALUED MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.

QUEER LIFE INITIATIVE: THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND IDENTITIES TO FIND COMMUNITY, BUILD STRONG SUPPORT NETWORKS, SHARE RESOURCES, AND CHIP AWAY BARRIERS THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY FACES WHEN ACCESSING CARE. HEALTHWORKS INITIATIVE: THIS PROGRAM BRINGS HEALTH AND WELLNESS RESOURCES AND SERVICES TOGETHER IN ONE PLACE WITH ITS LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIRS. THE FAIRS OFFER COVID-19 TESTING AND VACCINES, FLU VACCINES, HIV/STI TESTING SERVICES,FOOD RESOURCES, FREE HAIRCUTS, GENDER AFFIRMING CARE, MENTAL HEALTH CARE, AND MORE. THROUGH THESE, THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN ABLE TO REACH HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS. YOUTH AND FAMILY INITIATIVE: ASPYRE (A SAFER PLACE FOR YOUTH TO REACH FOR EXCELLENCE) LEADERSHIP CAMP HAS BEEN AN ACTIVITY OF THIS PROGRAM. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS CREATED A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH YOUTH THAT WOULD OTHERWISE NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE CAMP. YOUNG ADULT COUNSELORS WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD A MEMORABLE DAY FOR THE YOUTH IN ATTENDANCE, WHICH HELPS THEM LEARN LEADERSHIP AND SELF-CARE SKILLS, THE IMPACT OF INTERSECTIONALITY WITHIN THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, AND HOW TO MAKE CHANGE IN THEIR OWN ENVIRONMENTS. YOUTH AND FAMILY INITIATIVE ALSO HOLDS A YOUTH COFFEE HOUSE, A TWICE MONTHLY MEETING MEANT FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL AGED YOUTH TO MEET OUTSIDE OF AN LGBTQ+ SPECIFIC SPACE TO SOCIALIZE AND PLAY GAMES WITH PEERS. IN SUMMER MONTHS, THIS MEETING HAS BEEN KNOWN TO HOST UP TO TWENTY YOUTH AT EACH MEETING. TRANSGENDER INITIATIVE: THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES A NONBINARY DISCUSSION GROUP, WHICH IS A MONTHLY DISCUSSION BASED PROGRAM THAT OFFERS DIFFERENT CONVERSATION TOPICS OR SPEAKERS FOR NONBINARY OR QUESTIONING PEOPLE TO JOIN AND SHARE IDEAS. ON AVERAGE, NONBINARY DISCUSSION GROUP HAS FIFTEEN ATTENDEES EACH MONTH WITH AT LEAST A QUARTER TO HALF OF THOSE ATTENDEES NOT DUPLICATED. OLDER ADULT INITIATIVE: THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO HELP OLDER MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY FIND WAYS OF SOCIALIZING AND EXERCISING. IT ALSO PROVIDES WORKSHOPS FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE OLDER LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY GEARED TOWARD THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS.