Village Vida Centre Programs & Services include charitable educational programming such as: inclusive learning opportunities for groups and individuals; outreach activities that cultivate relationships and educate the community at large about VVC's mission, and how people of Whatcom County can address social justice issues relevant to LGBT civil rights and specific needs; and recreational events that invite social networking opportunities for LGBT individuals. Currently without a designated structure for VVC, we are utilizing free spaces in Bellingham to gather and provide programs that help improve LGBT health and enhance quality of life. Here are a list of current and proposed programs and services:

   Prevention & Treatment and Enrichment Program Topics (September – June)

                         ·        Nutrition and Health

·        LGBT Healthcare Issues

·        Lesbian Health (Project) – Breast & Cervical Awareness & Screenings; Womyn 2 Womyn presentation

·        Transgender/Transsexual Health (Project) – target medical community: gaps in care

·        Men’s Health – STDs & HIV/AIDS prevention & resources

·        Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Infections

·        AIDS/HIV Prevention

·        Smoking Cessation

·        Drug & Alcohol Abuse

·        Coming OUT Discussions

·        Depression

·        Intimate Partner Violence

·        Bullying & Harassment

·        Healthy Relationships

·        Bodywork

·        Parenting & Parenting Support Group

·        Money Management

·        Marketing Self for Employment (Project idea) – target group: transgender, gender variant

·        Youth Peers, Leadership & Mentorship (Project idea)

 

Educational Programs Offered – Titles & Descriptions

The frequency and time, of which VVC offers some of the educational programs listed above are limited, based on the availability of donated spaces in the community. A designated community space makes possible more flexible programming that will allow for meeting more of the LGBT community’s needs through optimum participation.  Up to this point we have provided the following educational opportunities – all which are led by credentialed adult educators and experts on the topic presented:

 

1. Live Longer & Keep the Change -  3 week program engages  you with the personal change  process – a mindful approach, “super foods” and cardio & strength conditioning.
2. Brain Dead – Living Will to Include Partners – workshop to help you fill out legal documents to plan for decision making should you become seriously ill.  Forms provided.
3. You Can Prevent Diabetes – 3 week program addresses: a personalized meal plan; fun local resources to get you to move your body; and managing weight.
4. Back to School/work Meal Ideas – Learn how to plan and make quick, healthy, tasty and less expensive meals for ages 6 to 66!  Resources and recipes provided.
5. LGBT Health Risks: What You Can Do – 3 week program. There are specific health concerns associated with same sex partners, transgender males and transgender females.  Discussion will be around mental and physical health risks that are at higher rates within these populations.  Discover where to go for help.
6. Holiday Make Over-Pleasers  - 2 week program.  Learn to put some spice into your life when you start to change those old-time recipe favorites to healthier ones.  Bring a food sampling of your new recipe in the next week to test OUT.
7. Nuts About You – Discover the healthy benefits of nuts, seeds and oils.  Recipes for your valentine provided.
8. Green Eggs & Ham – This St. Patrick’s Day spring into leaner and healthier protein foods to get into shape.  There are lots of benefits to lean proteins including preventing chronic diseases…
9. Beyond Bars:  Healthier Social Circles for LGBT - Come and explore other options for meeting and socializing with adults after hours in Whatcom County.  Format will be a facilitated discussion with resource handouts to take home.  You can bring a snack as usual or you can pre-purchase an Ethiopian meal prepared by a local caterer - $12.
10. Healthy Relationships for LGBT - 3 week (2 hr) program based on discussion of ways to create strong and safe personal relationships between LGBT adult & senior couples.  Discover new ways to find or keep lasting relationships.  We'll discuss strategies to nurture healthy relationships and discover where to go for help. References and resources provided.  Each session is open to all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.
11. Coming OUT Workshop - Join us in a safe space to embrace and explore your sexual identity and gender expression. Coming out allows you to develop as a whole individual, allows for greater empowerment, and is necessary for developing a healthy and positive identity. To get you started, we'll share scripted LGBTQA coming out monologues and then invite your stories to share with your friends and families.
12. Dating Do’s & Speed Dating Ops - Find out more about the art of flirting, initiating, establishing and maintaining healthy social relationships, disclosure concerns, negotiating safer sexual practices, and building on the recognition of individual preferences and compatibility. Oh, and engage in a round of "sober speed dating"!!

 

Sign-up for Educational Programs

      Please go to the sign-up sheet (on your right) if you are interested in attending these free and engaging educational programs.  You can also make suggestions for  program topics you would  like to see offered.

 

Recreational Events (Proposed) – Social Networking Opportunities

 

·        Bingo – GLTBA Bingo – 2^nd Friday in January and 1^st Friday in May

·        Two women’s dances a year – 4th Saturday (6 – 10 pm) in January and 2^nd Saturday (7 – 11 pm) in May

·        Potluck, Game, Movie Nights – free: currently hosted at Gay Inside Out Home Office (Sep – Apr)

·        Annual Donation Campaign & Volunteer Appreciation Dinner – 2^nd Sunday August

·        One local talent-variety show/cabaret a year in 3^rd Sunday September

·        Dinner, Dance, Silent Auction, Online Auction – Dress to Express Affair – 2^nd Sunday October

 

 

 

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Womyn's Potluck  & Fun Nights

Come join in on a fun and relaxing night of community engagement.  We'll start up with the new schedule coming this Sept 2011.  

Bring: 
Games, GLTBA DVDs, and food to share

Where: 
Village Vida Centre home office

When: Calendar 

(4th*) Fridays Sep - Apr:

 

 

Mar 25                Round Trip

 

Starts 6:00 pm,

Feasting 6:30 pm,

Viewing 7:00 pm

Directions:  Call 360-220-8400

Gatherings are alcohol free, drug free, and smoke free events.

 

 

 

5:30 pm - go to www.gaybellingham.org

and click on Robert's newsletter for restaurants and potluck locations.

 

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Sign-Up Sheet: Topics and Times That Interest You - Let us know what LGBTA educational programs you would like to attend and what times are most convenient for you to participate....

 

 

http://www.whatcomvolunteer.org/events/the-human-race/ 

 

    and  Registration/Donation Forms