Feel Good Friday - Gay For Good

Wrapping up our LGBTQ+ Pride Month series with the story of a group that puts the good in Gay for Good. 

Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Long Beach, California, the mission of Gay for Good (G4G) is to mobilize “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) and ally volunteers to promote diversity, foster inclusion and strengthen ties to the broader community.”

G4G’s values are in service of that mission. They include building community, creating visibility for LGBTQ+ people, promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, advancing sustainability and reducing their environmental impact, all while having fun! 

There are 21 chapters around the country from Arkansas to Dallas-Fort Worth and Washington D.C. These local chapters identify and connect with nonprofits that support the environment, animal welfare, and people in need in their communities. G4G then assists the selected organizations by mobilizing volunteers who donate their time, and by helping to amplify the missions of these organizations within their vast network of LGBTQ+ volunteers and allies.

The volunteer opportunities are wide ranging. The Phoenix chapter is creating posters and signs for Make-A-Wish Arizona, the Denver chapter is helping Project Angel Heart Kitchen to scoop, wrap, and seal breakfast meals, and the San Francisco chapter is running a beverage booth at SF Pride. You can visit this events page to see volunteer opportunities around the country. Or find your local chapter on main site.

Since they began, Gay For Good has organized 2,845 service projects for 962 nonprofits, and volunteers have donated time valued at $3.7 million.

In the spirit of diversity and inclusion, all are welcome to join a project. If this sounds like a fun way to spend your time, you can sign up for the mailing list to be notified of volunteer opportunities. Other ways to support G4G include making a donation, shopping for merch, rounding up your purchases at Walmart, or linking your Ralph’s card so a percentage from your purchase is donated to G4G. You can also amplify their work on social media by following Gay For Good on Instagram and LinkedIn. Happy Pride! 

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 - The Venture Out Project

Not only is June LGBTQ+ Pride Month, it’s also summer and a perfect time to get out and explore nature. What a great day to learn about today’s organization, The Venture Out Project.

Founded in 2014 by Perry Cohen, and headquartered in Florence, Massachusetts, the mission of The Venture Out Project (TVOP) is “to provide a safe and fun space for queer, trans, and LGBTQ+ people to experience the outdoors.” They do this by leading backpacking and wilderness trips for the queer and transgender community, and by conducting transgender inclusion workshops for educators, adventure professionals, and summer camps.

You can sign up for overnight adventures like campouts, rafting or forest bathing or if you’d like to test the waters before bringing your tent, there are plenty of volunteer-led day hikes across the country and skill building workshops in New England. This 15-minute documentary produced by REI gives a great overview of the trips and how impactful it can be for people to show up as their full selves in community with others. Participants get to enjoy nature and forge lifelong bonds while making unforgettable memories.

In addition to leading these outdoor adventures, TVOP “offers educational programs and services to those looking to make their existing programming more inclusive and affirming of trans and gender diverse people.”  

Since they began, The Venture Out Project has become a nationally recognized nonprofit supporting LGBTQ+ community building and challenge-based personal development outdoors. TVOP volunteers have led over 50 adventures for more than 500 LGBTQ+ participants from across the globe.  

If you’re interested in getting outdoors, take a look at the trip descriptions and sign up for one that fits your schedule and your interests. If you’re Wilderness First Aid certified, consider becoming a volunteer and leading a trip. Or, if you prefer to support TVOP from the comfort of home, there ways you can do that too. Shop for merch, make a donation and amplify their work on social media by following The Venture Out Project on Facebook and Instagram.