Feel Good Friday - Oakland LGBTQ Community Center

Today’s LGBTQ+ Pride Month organization is local, well to me at least. Time to learn about the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center.

Founded in 2017 by two African American gay men, and headquartered in Oakland, California, the mission of the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center (the Center) is to enhance and sustain “the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals, our families and allies, by providing educational, social, and health related activities, programs and services.”

The Center is the first multi-ethnic, intergenerational, multi-service center for the LGBTQ community in Oakland. It’s also the first all-inclusive LGBTQ community center led and founded by African Americans in the state of California. 

In addition to blazing trails, the Center lives up to it’s multi-service description. In this 5-minute video staff from the Center talk about the work they do and the impact it has on both them and the community. One of the main services offered is support groups. Whether you’re young, old, trans, Latinx, Black, or in recovery, there’s a support group for you. Check this calendar to see the schedule for group meetings and other activities.

The Center also runs a wellness clinic where people can address their physical health and schedule an appointment for sexual health testing. They have a small food pantry and a lending library where you can borrow both fiction and non-fiction books that center the LBGTQ community and history. Biography of Grace Jones anyone?

Other programs offered by the Center including mental health resources and emergency housing and rental assistance have been suspended due to funding cuts. However, you can still visit this community resources page to find a list of other organizations that can provide assistance.

If you’d like to help the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center achieve their vision “to become Oakland and Alameda County's premier network of programs and services for the LGBTQ community” there are many ways you can do so. Those of us who live in the Bay Area can volunteer our time. No matter where you live you can make a much needed donation to the Center and amplify their work on social media. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Happy Pride!

Feel Good Friday - TAPS

Memorial Day is Monday and many of us are getting ready to enjoy a long weekend. Before you head off to whatever adventure awaits, take a moment to learn about the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, also know as TAPS.

Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, TAPS is “the national nonprofit organization providing compassionate care and comprehensive resources to all those grieving a death in the military or veteran community.”

TAPS provides a variety of programs to survivors nationally and worldwide. Key services include grief counseling, peer support networks, casework assistance, survivor seminars and retreats, Good Grief camps for children and teens, online resources, a 24/7 military survivor helpline (800-959-8277), and assistance connecting survivors to community-based resources and support services. You can see the full list of programs here.

All programs are offered free of charge and it’s important to note, survivors doesn’t just include spouses, children, parents, and siblings. TAPS programs are open to extended family members, battle buddies, and friends. In this 9-minute video, survivors talk about the death of their loved ones and the impact TAPS has made in their lives.

In addition to the programming, the TAPS website has a wide variety of resources, including education assistance, suicide loss support, advocacy updates, a magazine and a link to search for events in your area.

In 2024, TAPS had 3,433 survivors attend their seminars, they awarded $584 million in education benefits and scholarships, they answered 18,901 helpline calls and over 10,800 people engaged with the care team. You can read more details on the TAPS Impact Report 2024.

If you would like to help the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors care for the families of America’s fallen heroes there are many ways to do so. Volunteer your time, make a donation, shop for merch and amplify their message on social media. Follow TAPS on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn and subscribe to their YouTube channel.

Feel Good Friday - Autism Society of America

April is National Autism Awareness Month and we’re kicking it off by highlighting the Autism Society of America.

Founded in 1965 and headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, the mission of the Autism Society of America is to “create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully.”

Let’s start with the basics. As they explain on their website, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) “is a complex, lifelong developmental condition that typically appears during early childhood and can impact a person’s social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation.” In the United States there are approximately 5.4 million Autistic adults, and one in 36 children is diagnosed with ASD. You can explore this page to learn more.

The work the Autism Society does "connects people to the resources they need through education, advocacy, resources, and community programming.” Their website has an extensive list of resources organized by topics such as communication, housing, employment and public policy. By partnering with 70 local and state affiliates, they are able to support Autistic individuals with services designed for their communities. You can contact this helpline to learn about, and be connected to, resources and services in your area. 

The public policy team advocates for legislation that improves quality of life. In 2023 the Autism Society supported 40 federal and 30 state bills and 2,702 people sent letters congress through the Autism Society’s Action Center.

Currently, they are in the midst of an education campaign called Autism Is, designed to amplify the voices and lived experiences of Autistic individuals and acknowledge that everyone’s experience is unique and valid. You can learn more by watching this short campaign video, reading stories of people with autism or sharing your own story at this link.

In 2023, the Autism Society network served half a million people with 97,900 people contacting Autism Society helplines, 19,000 people attended conferences, and 393,000 people attending over 10,000 Autism Society events.

If you’d like to help the Autism Society of America achieve their vision of “a world where everyone in the Autism community is connected to the support they need, when they need it” there are several things you can do. Visit the action center to support current campaigns, contact your legislators or track legislation. Shop for merch, make a donation and amplify their work on social media. Follow the Autism Society on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn and subscribe to their YouTube channel.