Yoga supports org
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The 4th Annual Yoga in the Park will commence its series on Aug. 6, 10 a.m., at Pack Square Park, 121 College St., and will continue every week through Sept. 3.
Asheville Yoga Center will facilitate the series on a contribution basis at $5-$15 on a sliding scale. Funds raised will benefit Our Voice, 35 Woodfin St., the organization that supports victims and survivors of sexual violence.
Volunteers are needed to provide brief announcements at the beginning of each session and speak to Our Voice’s mission and work. Direction on what to share will be provided. Facilitators will be able to stay for yoga afterward.
info: ourvoicenc.org.
Bingo ‘ladies’ set to entertain
HICKORY, N.C. — In honor of the 2016 election season, the First Ladies of Bingo will welcome participants in the Sept. 16 installment of ALFA’s Not Your Mama’s Bingo being held from 7-10 p.m. at La Rumba De Cache, 534 U.S. Hwy. 70 SW.
Host Queenie Gabor will be on hand to keep the event lively. She will also be accompanied by her Bingo Verifying Divas.
Doors open at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $20 plus service fees and are available online. Included in the admission price are game sheets and use of daubers. A special 50/50 game sheet is an additional $5, the only one played for money. All others net prizes.
Reserved seating for groups of 8-10 is available. Light up commemorative raffle “ticket” pins are an additional $10 and T-shirts are free at the event or $5 in advance to cover shipping.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Email alfadirect@alfainfo.org to learn more or visit the website to see levels.
In other news, ALFA has launched its NewU program which helps clients reach their personal goals. Participants can avail of workshop and solo sessions in a number of topics. Email Hollie Black at alfacms@alfainfo.org.
info/tickets: alfainfo.org.
New system aids Pride
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The Blue Ridge Pride Center has initiated its new constituent management system, making it possible to better manage its relationship with the community.
Users are now able to register for events, sign up to volunteer, purchase Pride merchandise, manage donations and more. In order to avail of its usage, one must create a login and password and them complete a profile.
More information is available online.
info: blueridgepride.org.
Suicide conference approaches
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The North Carolina Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the nation’s largest suicide prevention organization, will host “Stronger Communities: LBGTQ+ Suicide Prevention,” a full-day conference to teach local mental health providers how to address suicide risk in the LGBT community, on Aug. 15, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Renaissance Asheville Hotel, 31 Woodfin St.
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention identifies groups at higher risk than the general population for suicide including LGBTQ+ populations. The conference is being held to address the need for mental health professional training so they can understand the unique discriminatory experiences that can contribute to an increased risk for suicide in this minority population.
At this conference, mental health care providers and community leaders will learn about LGBT suicide risk, the latest research findings and explore strategies for LGBT suicide prevention in local communities.
“Given the recent events involving the LGBT community, this conference is needed in North Carolina more than ever. As a queer survivor of suicide who lives with mental illness, I am especially excited that this conference has a focus on people who have lived experience,” said AFSP volunteer Dana M. Cea.
Presentations will be given by national experts who are well-versed in dealing with the LGBT community. Multiple interactive breakout sessions featuring local suicide prevention experts and community leaders will include topics on LGBT military and veterans, suicide risk in older LGBT adults and the LGBT experience in faith-based communities.
The conference will include a special presentation by North Carolina native Jacob Tobia, host of NBC OUT’s Queer 2.0 and a leading voice for genderqueer, non-binary and gender non-conforming people.
The conference has been approved by the National Association of Social Workers and the National Board for Certified Counselors for six continuing education credit hours.
Conference registration is open and required to attend.
info/registration: bit.ly/2a0WWhM.
Have news or other information? Send your press releases and updates for inclusion in our News Notes: editor@qnotescarolinas.com.
Share your news with us
Does your organization or special interest group have events or great information to share with our readers? If so, be sure to send in your information to specialassignments@qnotescarolinas.com. In the upcoming months, we’ll feature one of you in our news notes section in each issue. Are you a part of a Meetup, Yahoo or Google group and do you do something that’s really newsworthy? Do you provide a service for the community or hold fundraisers for worthy causes? Do you educate the public about LGBT issues or concerns? Of course, this is only a sampling of things we are interested in. It’s the aim of these pieces to inform, enlighten and educate our readers about what we’re doing here in the Carolinas to champion LGBT rights, as well as offer resources for those who may be interested in what your group is doing.