May 2007 Newsletter

Pacific Pride Foundation

Serving Santa Barbara County for over 30 years!

The Bulletin: Monthly Email Newsletter

June, 2007

To our Friends and Supporters,

As Santa Barbara's leading provider of HIV/AIDS and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender programs and services, Pacific Pride Foundation strives to do all we can for our communities. Here is some news from our organization. Please join us at some of our upcoming events.

Pacific Pride's Youth Group attended the Queer Prom on May 18 in Los Angeles. 11 youth members attended, along with chaperons, for an evening of dinner and dancing.

The first annual Get Out and Golf Tournament, Dinner and Auction, held May 25, was a big success. With over 160 at the event, the day was filled with fun, excitement and friendly competition. Thank you to all that attended and a special thanks to the committee that put together the tournament. We will see you all out again next year!

Upcoming Events:

June 5 - Free and Anonymous HIV Testing at 515 Guadalupe Street, Guadalupe, CA. 3-7pm. Contact Buck for more information 349-9947 ext 237.

June 8 - AIDS Lifecycle ride will stop through Santa Barbara at the Andree Clark Bird Refuge, 1400 E Cabrillo Blvd. If you are interested in supporting this great event by volunteering, please call JB at 963-3636 ext 101.

June 13 - Sunset @ the Andalucia. Bring your friends, partners and co-workers for our monthly mixer. Enjoy the breathtaking Santa Barbara views from the top of the Andalucia Hotel with a cocktail and appetizer. 6-8pm, 31 West Carrillo St. Contact Santiago for more details, santiago@pacificpridefoundation.org.

June 30 - Pride-B-Que, hosted by Doug Van Pelt. Come support the Pacific Pride Festival with an afternoon of fun in the sun. $10 at the door for food and beer, $3 cocktails all evening. 4-8pm, 770 Juanita Ave. Contact JB at jb@pacificpridefoundation.org.

July 1 - Rainbow Room at Wildcat Lounge. A benefit for Pacific Pride Foundation, hosted by Raquel Dixon. This Sunday will be one to remember, with a "super secret drag performance @ midnight".

July 14 - Pacific Pride Festival at Chase Palm Park. Evening celebrations all weekend long. Families welcome!

LGBT Spotlight:

Pacific Pride Festival: After a 6 year hiatus, Pacific Pride Foundation is back with this summer's Pacific Pride Festival, Santa Barbara. Be part of the several thousand attending the event at Chase Palm Park, July 14, 2007.

Expect:

speakers
entertainment
dance pavilion
Families of Pride
non-profits from the Central Coast
DJs
food
drinks
and FUN.

Come and celebrate with your community! Volunteers are needed throughout the day to make this event a success.

We are also looking for volunteers to assist with the Festival preparations. There are a lot of projects already in the works, and we could use your help. If you are interested please call JB at 963-3636 ext 101. Visit the festival websites at www.pacificpridefestival.org and www.myspace.com/pacificpridefestival.

OUTrageous: The Santa Barbara Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Film Festival provides a diverse selection of films and videos that entertain, challenge, and educate the LGBT communities. Save the dates! November 1-5th, 2007. Visit the website at www.outrageousfilmfestival.com.

Families of Pride: Pacific Pride Foundation's Family Services Program is designed to support the needs of LGBT families coordinating a broad range of recreational activities, public forums, educational venues and events.

Families of Pride provides a safe environment for family interaction. Through activities such as ice cream socials, family picnics and workshops, LGBT families build a unified community with common bonds. To get involved contact Lauren at laurenwyeth@yahoo.com.

Pacific Pride Foundation's Individual and Couples Counseling: Pacific Pride Foundation provides affordable psychotherapy for the LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities of Santa Barbara County. We offer counseling in a safe and welcoming environment for people of all cultures, ethnicities and sexual orientations. Individual, couples and family counseling is offered on an affordable, sliding fee scale based on income. For more information, please contact Mariela Marin at 963-3636 ext 130.

Volunteer Opportunities	Pacific Pride Foundation is in need of volunteer support for the many services and programs that we offer to the community. You can give an hour or two of your time each week to help make a difference. We are currently in need of assistance in the following programs: LGBT Youth Programs - Chaperons for Queer Youth Events The HIV Food Pantry - Stocking Shelves, Food Drives and Drivers Office Support - Greet Guests and Answer Phones at our Front Desk AIDS Walk Planning - Help Organize our BIGGEST Event of the Year Please call or email for more volunteer opportunities JB in South County at 963-3636 ext 101 jb@pacificpridefoundation.org Carl in North County at 349-9947 ext 106 carl@pacificpridefoundation.org
Youth Groups	Our youth program provides a nurturing environment where LGBT youth can feel safe and comfortable expressing themselves, exploring their identities, and connecting with others. The group is free, for ages 14-23 and provides weekly meetings as well as some special events throughout the year. LGBT Youth Group - Santa Barbara: Thursdays 4-5:00 pm, PPF South County office, 126 East Haley Street LGBT Youth Group - Santa Maria: Fridays 4:30-5:30 pm, PPF North County office, 819 West Church St. LGBT Youth Group - Lompoc: Wednesday, 4-5:00 pm, South Side Cafe, 105 S. "H" Street For more information please contact: Mariela Marin (805) 963-3636 ext 130
Support Groups	Gay Men's Therapy Group: For gay and bisexual men Wednesday evenings, 126 East Haley Street Contact Randy Schwalm (805) 963-3636 ext 127 - Please note: this group has been discontinued. Transgender Support Group: Discussion/Support group for transgender individuals First Thursday of every month: 6:30pm, 126 East Haley St A-12 Contact Mariela, 963-3636 ext 130
Anonymous Meetings	Al-Anon: For partners, friends and relatives of addicted individuals Mondays: 6-7pm, 126 East Haley Street, A-12 Contact Mariela, 963-3636 ext 130 Crystal Meth Anonymous/"Fly No More": For individuals dealing with addictions to crystal meth Tuesdays: 7pm, 126 East Haley Street, A-12 Contact Mariela, 963-3636 ext 130 Marijuana Anonymous: For individuals dealing with addiction to marijuana Fridays: 6-7pm, 126 East Haley Street, A-12 Contact Alahhan Godwin, 681-0444 Gay and Lesbian Alcoholics Anonymous: For LGBT dealing with addiction to alcohol. Wednesdays: 6:30pm, Unitarian Church, 1535 Santa Barbara Street For details and information visit www.santabarbaraaa.com Gay and Lesbian Alcoholics Anonymous: For LGBT dealing with addiction to alcohol. Sundays: 11am, Cottage Hospital, Pueblo at Bath Street For details and contact information, visit www.santabarbaraaa.com
HIV Testing	Pacific Pride Foundation operates several HIV test sites throughout Santa Barbara County. The tests (oral or blood specimen) are free of charge and anonymous. Our HIV Testing Counselors are state certified, and provide risk assessments, harm reduction and a safe, non-judgmental environment for all community members. For more information please contact: Buck Derrington, Department of Education and Prevention, South County - 963-3636 ext 111; North County - 349-9947 ext 104 buck@pacificpridefoundation.org Hours: South County: Mondays: 5:30-7pm HEP C Testing during these times only Tuesdays: 11am-2pm Wednesdays: 11am-1pm Thursdays: 5:30-7pm Fridays: 12-3pm North County: Wednesdays: 4-7pm
Syringe Exchange	Our syringe exchange program offers harm reduction, risk assessment, clean syringes and various other supplies and materials to help reduce the spread of blood pathogens and support those who may be struggling with substance dependency. For more information please contact: Buck Derrington, Department of Education and Prevention, South County - 963-3636 ext 111; North County - 349-9947 ext 104 buck@pacificpridefoundation.org Hours: South County: Mondays: 3-7pm Tuesdays: 11am-2pm Thursdays: 5:30-7pm Fridays: 12-3pm North County: Wednesdays: 4-7pm