Programs

Affinity has an array of programs and initiatives that fall within the categories of leadership development, health advocacy, community programming, and social justice.  Affinity's work is highly dependent on the support of volunteers (see Volunteer page for details). Below are summaries of Affinity's ongoing programs, collaborative work, and other organizations that regularly meet in Affinity's space.  View the Calendar frequently for a list of current and future activities and events.

 

 

Affinity's youth programming focuses on developing the next generation of LGBTQ leaders. The Youth Leadership Institute Advisory Council oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of Affinity's youth programming.  There are currently two leadership development programs, the Youth Leadership Institute and the Junior Leadership Institute. There are also less formal leadership opportunities for youth through participation in other Affinity programs. For information, contact Aisha Truss at leadershipinstitute@affinity95.org.

 

Youth Leadership Institute
The Youth Leadership Institute was developed to train up to four individuals each year who are 18-24 years of age and identify as African American lesbian or bisexual or transgender women. Institute Scholars receive 12 months of rigorous training in nonprofit management, community organizing, and social justice and benefit from mentorship from community leaders. Scholars design their program for the year and organize an annual youth summit.  To learn more, click Youth Leadership Institute Application Process.

 

Junior Leadership Institute
Affinity is restructuring the Youth Drop-In Program, which will become the Junior Leadership Institute starting in February, 2010 and focus on leadership development. As the structure becomes solidified and Affinity builds its capacity we will consider adding more program days. The Junior Leadership Institute will continue to be for youth aged 14-19 and include academic support, facilitated group discussion, occasional field trips, guest speakers, teambuilding exercises, one-on-one discussions, and meals.

 

Affinity has a long history of delivering health and wellness information to African American lesbians and bisexual women in innovative, culturally competent ways as well as commissioning research to contribute to the knowledge base of health issues related to our constituents. We have also conducted our own applied research to improve constituents' health outcomes. The Health Advocacy Advisory Council oversees, monitors the quality of, plans, and hels organize efforts to respond to emerging individual and community needs. We are expanding this work to address the health concerns of the broader community of African American women. Interested in joining the work, please contact the Health Advocacy Advisory Council by email at healthywomen@affinity95.org or check the calendar for upcoming activities.

 

Research & Resource Development
The Health Committee is involved in various activities, including building coalitions within and outside of Black les/bi communities to assess key health care barrier issues, creating and maintaining a referral list of sensitive and excellent health providers, and providing information to constituents about pertinent legislative policies and information locally, and nationally which impact the lives of our constituents. The Affinity Take Charge Health Report and Health Provider Resource Guide are now available for download.

 

SHE Circle
The Spirit Health Education (S.H.E.) Circle is another health-related program.  This is a unique series developed by African American lesbians for African American lesbians and bisexual women. S.H.E. Circle honors the African traditions of health and healing through the body, mind, spirit connection. Affinity's Health Committee has held an intensive two-day training program that offered women the tools to conduct and support S.H.E. Circles in the Chicago area. S.H.E. Circle participants explore the six-part series covering breast health, reproductive health, colorectal health, exercise and nutrition, smoking cessation and coming out to your health care provider. Join Affinity and Mautner Project's S.H.E. Circle facilitators/trainers as together we create sacred space for beginning the journey to creating healthier lives for ourselves and our communities. For more information, click S.H.E. Circle.

 

Health Summit
In 2010 Affinity will be partnering with other organizations to host a one-day summit on the state of African American women's health. The summit will feature national and local guest speakers, panels of medical, mental health, and other healthcare professionals, interactive and informative workshops, and a panel discussion on emerging concerns in black women's health.

 

Constituents plan and carry out our community programming to ensure that Affinity covers the needs of various community interest groups. Currently the interest groups are Forty Plus, Lesbian Bisexual Moms Roundtable, Singles Mingles, and the Trans Focus Group. Volunteers are needed to lead these groups and assist in program planning.

 

Forty Plus
The Forty Plus group is dedicated to providing a safe space for interaction and socialization for lesbian and bisexual women of African descent over the age of 40. This program addresses issues by providing programming that includes supportive and lively discussion, community activities, and special events. For volunteer opportunities, contact Forty Plus by email at fortyplus@affinity95.org.

 

Lesbian & Bisexual Moms Roundtable
This is an opportunity for black parents who identify as lesbian or bisexual women to get together and share experiences, survival strategies, pictures of their children, and lessons learned.  Check the calendar for Lesbian & Bisexual Moms Roundtable listings.  For more information, contact the Lesbian & Bisexual Moms Roundtable by email at lesbimoms@affinty95.org.

 

Singles Mingles
The Singles Mingle group serves women of all ages interested in participating in "meet and greets" and community activities planned by the group aimed at decreasing isolation, and building social and personal relationships. Volunteers are always needed for facilitation and coordinating planned activities. For volunteer opportunities, contact Singles Mingle by email at singlesmingle@affinity95.org.

 

Trans Focus Group
The Trans Focus Group is a peer-led support, resource sharing, and life skills training group.  In addition to being a resource to trans men and women, the group's founders also want to provide a safe space for trans allies to ask questions and learn more about the lives, needs, and concerns of members of the trans community.  For more information, contact the Trans Focus Group by email at affinitytransfocusgroup@affinity95.org.
 

 

Domestic Violence
Affinity, along with Aquamoon and Rape Victim Advocates, planned and implemented the "Domestic Violence Sunday Sermons" campaign in October 2009. South side religious leaders were asked to talk about domestic violence during their religious messages the last weekend in October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In this inaugural year, three south side churches participated. Volunteers staffed information tables during the services. A community forum was held at Affinity the following week. The format consisted of gender-segregated, facilitated sessions and a full-group discussion.

 

Combating Sexually Transmitted Infections
Affinity is a founding organization of the Social Justice Alliance, a collaboration of other organizations that works in LGBTQ communities of color. The Alliance's focus for some time will be addressing the rising rates of Sexually Transmitted Infections, including HIV/AIDS in communities of color. We host a Mix and Mingle each fifth Sunday to update attendees on issues of concern to the African American LGBTQ community in particular. Between these meetings we are conducting community organizing workshops to develop power analyses and grassroots solutions and strategies for addressing this growing epidemic.

 

Making Schools & Neighborhoods Safe and Affirming Spaces
Through our work with the South Side Youth Service Providers, Affinity is developing strategies to approach the Chicago Public School District, area police precincts, churches, and other community groups to create safer spaces for LGBTQ youth and all youth. A number of youth have been victims of gay bashing as well as being targeted because of their age and vulnerability. Youth violence has risen to epidemic proportions in Chicago. We are in the very early stages of this work.

 

Assisting with Securing Legislative Votes for LGBTQ-Focused Legislation
Because Affinity represents a constituent group that is not usually part of the state and national debate on legislation that affects the LGBTQ community, our leadership and constituents are sometimes invited to speak at rallies and are sought out by national LGBTQ organizations to provide a new perspective on marriage equality, the repeal of DOMA, and other efforts.

 

South Side Chapter of PFLAG - Affinity is honored to host monthly meetings for the south side chapter of Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons, their families and friends through:  support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal rights. PFLAG will be meeting at Affinity the third Wednesday of the month.  Check the calendar for PFLAG listings. 
 
Check the calendar each month for events that are held in the "space" by other community organizations!