Please Consider The Well in Your End-of-Year Giving!

Please consider a donation to The Well (at http://www.thewellhamilton.ca/donate) among your year-end giving.

We have had a wonderful year, and on behalf of our staff, volunteers, participants, partners and directors I’d like to thank the many community members who have made it happen.  From gifts of money to gifts of time, what you give make programs and social spaces more than just another wish in Hamilton.  Donations reserve rooms, buy healthy snacks and make bus tickets available.  Gifts of all kinds from Hamilton LGBTQ people and allies make everything we do possible.  With much more left to do, we need your help to keep going.

Your donation is tax deductible and easily made online through the link at http://www.thewellhamilton.ca/donate.  We also most happily accept cheque, cash and equipment donations.  Consider this list of some of our volunteer and staff team’s accomplishments in 2011 when thinking about what your donation supports:

• 52 meetings of the LGBTQ youth group where youth of all ages find a welcoming and safe space to hang out
• 40 weekly runs of the running and walking group, mixing recreation, healthy options and fun with safe spaces and community connections
• 25 meetings of the Trans Peer Support Group who create an environment of respect, support and education for individuals along all parts of a personal and challenging journey
• 20 meetings of the Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer Women Peer Support Group who provide a drop-in environment for women defining or redefining their sexuality
• 12 meetings of the new Gay and Bi Men’s Group that brings facilitated discussions, educational opportunities and social links in a confidential and safe space
• 20 coffee nights open to all, where volunteers, friends and group participants share their experiences and their hopes for The Well’s growth
• Parent’s sharing circle, with parents supporting parents of LGBTQ youth
• School and GSA outreach
• Social program advocacy to reduce barriers for all Hamiltonians
• Hate crime & hate incident advocacy, assistance and prevention activities
• Hundreds of Trans Advocacy and Outreach staff hours
• Clinical encounter and trans support space
• Partnerships with organizations in and beyond Hamilton
• LGBTQ Youth Prom
• “Born This Way” Gala at the Art Gallery of Hamilton
• Youth-led “Make it Better” Event and Vigil at City Hall
• Skill and leadership development for existing and new volunteers
• Accessible Hamilton Pride 2011 activities
• Management of a team of LGBTQ and ally volunteers that run many programs on a community-supporting-community model (and staff support, training and insurance for that team)
• Tens of training sessions offered to partner organizations, private companies and individuals
• Development of new and expanded training in positive space, trans issues, social justice, anti-oppression and other areas
• One-on-one counselling and crisis assistance

There are many ways to get involved.  Please contact us to learn more about how Hamilton’s LGBTQ communities are promoting each other’s wellness, and your role in that important goal. Please consider us this holiday season when rounding out your charitable donations for 2011, and consider a monthly giving pledge (also available through http://www.thewellhamilton.ca/donate) in 2012.

With thanks & best wishes,

Simon

Simon Lebrun (volunteer)
on behalf of the volunteers, staff, and board of directors of
The LGBTQ Community Wellness Centre of Hamilton (“The Well”)