REPORT FROM SAGE/RI by Cathy Gorman, SAGE-RI Steering Committee
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n keeping with its mission, SAGE/RI has planned a wide range of activities for 2020. At press time, the fourth SAGE/ Table, an “After Holiday Intergenerational Dinner,” was set for January 31 at the Hampton Inn in Pawtucket. SAGE/Tables are welcoming to all community members, friends, allies, and new acquaintances, to help celebrate LGBTQ strength and resilience, through good food, music, and conversation. Co-sponsored with RI Pride and the Renaissance City Softball League, this event’s pleasant and convenient venue offers an all-you-can-eat buffet with vegetarian choices. Another collaboration SAGE/RI looks forward to is the “Winter Social: Fundraiser for Pride 2020,” a networking event sponsored by NewportOut on February 15. SAGE/RI’s newly established LGBT History Club has been meeting on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Church of the Transfiguration in Cranston. Interesting and relevant topics are addressed, at times with special guest presentations. Consider joining to help set the agenda. The Episcopal Charities Fund of Rhode Island has generously provided a grant in support of community outreach activities, including our LGBT Café. Through this funding we’ll explore opportunities for expanding this program beyond the Providence metropolitan area; investigate interest in LGBT Cafés or similar programs in other communities; develop worthwhile programing; and assist participants facing critical unmet needs. SAGE/RI is grateful
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to the Episcopal Charities Fund, as well as the generous partnership offered by the Church of the Transfiguration. This past fall, the first series of SAGE/ RI workshops entitled “Promoting Quality Care for LGBT Older Adults” was successfully completed. Each of three workshops, aimed at healthcare and social service providers, was well attended and well received for the value of information and resources provided. This initiative, supported by a grant from the RI Foundation through the Equity Action fund, continues with a second series of workshops scheduled for March and April to address significant topics in more depth. With support from the Tufts Health Plan Foundation Momentum fund, SAGE/RI is conducting a series of focus groups to better understand the needs and concerns of LGBT older adults. Meetings of 8–10 individuals, age 60+, will be held with pizza and conversation to help identify issues facing LGBT seniors, and to hear suggestions for needed resources. Meetings will take place in Woonsocket, Providence, Aquidneck Island, and South County during March and April in accessible locations with ample parking. We’d especially like seniors who are not already affiliated with SAGE-RI to join us. Please contact Pat at sageriinfo@gmail. com if you are interested, and consider sharing this request with other older LGBT adults. SAGE/RI is an active, all-volunteer organization with an expanding array
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of opportunities for those who are interested in getting involved. Let us know if you have time and talents to help with our outreach and/or organizational development. Many hands make light work! SAGE-RI (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders) addresses issues of concern to LGBT elders and is an organization of diverse people of all ages. For information on programs or to join SAGE-RI, drop us a line at sageriinfo@gmail.com; find us on Facebook as SAGE-Rhode Island; or send correspondence to SAGE-RI c/o the Church of the Transfiguration, 1665 Broad Street, Cranston, RI 02905.
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