Avenidas seeks to increase its services to the LGBTQ community in Santa Clara County over the coming years, with a particular focus on North County residents through an expansion of current services and support structures offered to lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender seniors. In addition, Avenidas intends to create NEW programs and services in the areas of Socialization and Health Education/Cultural Competency through strategic partnerships with LGBTQ organizations focused on seniors in the Bay Area.
This two-year pilot program at Avenidas will provide dedicated space and the delivery of specific services needed by our senior LGBTQ community. Simultaneously, these seniors will receive access to the existing breadth of programs and services offered by Avenidas. We look forward to increasing the availability and accessibility of culturally competent programs and services that can help to increase equity and improve outcomes.
Amy Andonian
For more information, contact Thomas Kingery at tkingery@avenidas.org or call
New & Expanded Services
Socialization
Building on the success of our first LGBTQ café at Avenidas during the summer of 2019, we will continue to offer these café sessions on a monthly or quarterly basis. We will also organize several other meetups, such as local hikes, picnics, and sports outings, on a regular basis.
Pride
During Pride Week in June, we will host dozens of activities throughout the week, culminating with a big Pride celebration and/or field trip to the Pride Parade in San Francisco. We will also participate in the Pride Parade in San Jose as well, which takes place in August.
Legal & Financial
Working with local advisors specializing in LGBTQ trusts, estates, living wills, etc., we will include an LGBTQ track at our annual Avenidas Financial Conference.
Health & Wellness
In addition to promoting our myriad of existing Avenidas health & wellness services to the LGBTQ older adult population, we will collaborate with partner organizations to host FREE monthly/bi-monthly health workshops, screenings, services, conferences, and more.
Caregiving
The Avenidas Care Partners and Avenidas Rose Kleiner Center teams will provide LGBTQ-focused caregiver support groups on a monthly/bi-monthly basis. We have the opportunity to partner with the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California & Nevada, Family Caregiver Alliance, and Openhouse in this area as well.
Cultural Competency
In partnership with Openhouse, which specializes in this area, Avenidas will provide quarterly LGBTQ cultural competency trainings for its employees and open it up to employees from our other partner agencies in the community who are also delivering health and social services to LGBTQ seniors.
Housing
Working with LGBTQ-knowledgeable organizations like Senior Adults Legal Assistance, the County of Santa Clara, Charities Housing, and Openhouse, we will provide an LGBTQ track at our annual Avenidas Housing Conference to provide information and resources related to LGBTQ-safe, accessible, and affordable housing options in Northern Santa Clara County.
LGBTQ+ Seniors Initiative Events
“It’s Gayme Time”
April Foolishness Comedy Show
