Western Equality was awarded a grant for $7500 in summer of 2004 that was for one year, with a challenge grant of $2500 in new or increased memberships. Receiving this grant was made possible by the collaboration and support of the Western Colorado Congress as our fiscal agent. It is with great pleasure and deep gratitude to our members that by summer of 2005 WE made it! WE actually exceeded the new and increased membership requirements by several hundred dollars and received the additional $2500!
WE also accomplished all of our goals and objectives in the work plan for the grant. This was possible through the cooperation and support of numerous local agencies that includes Partners/Build A Generation, the Tree House, Mesa County Suicide Prevention Task Force, Human Services Council, Department of Youth Corrections, KAFM community radio, and a whole bunch of individuals who support our mission of education, advocacy, support, referrals and mobilization of the local community in pursuit of equality for LGBT people and families. However, none of this could have happened without the solid relationship with the AmeriCorps program at Mesa State College that has allowed us to have full-time staff at our office. Thanks to all of the folks who made this possible, and thanks to the Gill Foundation for supporting our efforts!
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The Chinook Fund is based in Denver and funds only organizations within the state of Colorado who are actively engaged in creating institutional and systemic change through social justice pursuits. Western Equality is pleased that they awarded us another grant for $3500 this fall so that WE can continue our efforts in the Grand Valley. Several Western Equality members attended the awards ceremony in Denver and it is an honor to be among such dedicated and capable people who strive every day to build a Colorado that is inclusive, safe and fair. Thanks again to the Chinook Fund for helping Western Equality be part of this work!
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Just in the past three years our local home-grown, grassroots organization has doubled in terms of membership, mailing list and budget. WE now have approximately 150 paid members, mail to over 300 households, and operate on $20,000 per year. However, the impact WE are having at the local level with service providers and individuals has probably quadrupled because WE have had the blessing of full time staff for 15 months. This may come to an end in August 2006 when the AmeriCorps service term is completed through Mesa State College. WE are looking ahead and examining options, including seeking other grants and funds, collaborating with other groups, uncovering resources WE are not aware of, and asking for your help and continued support. Ideally WE want to keep Gloria as our staff person as she is so capable of the tasks and has built wonderful relationships in our community. This takes money, so WE are asking for your continued paid memberships and donations. They are tax-deductible and make a big difference for our capacity to operate. Thanks for believing in our work and supporting our efforts with your hard-earned money!
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For the past six years the Western Colorado AIDS Project (WestCAP) has been helping local groups and individuals create stronger community connections among the gay/bi men by hosting group activities that are centered in healthy relationships. These activities have included skiing, rafting, camping, hiking, bowling, potlucks, educational forums and just hanging out for an afternoon or evening. What has developed is core groups of men, and individuals, who realize we don’t need sex, drugs and rock n’roll to make us happy! Not that those things make us unhappy, but they certainly represent stereotypes in our collective psyche of what constitutes fun! And there is no doubt that some of the time this does lead to another HIV infection among our family.
In 2006 WestCAP will continue to support the local men, and these groups, and cooperate with similar efforts based in Ft. Collins and Colorado Springs that ultimately bring men from all over rural Colorado together in ManREACH gatherings. Two gatherings took place in 2004, and two more in 2005 that have now touched the lives of almost 200 men! These gatherings are heart-centered, safe, respectful of ourselves and each other, and recreational drug and alcohol free. They offer a variety of play shops, educational topics, activities that stretch our minds, bodies, spirits and imaginations. It also happens to be a great opportunity to meet lots of wonderful men from other parts of the state who are all engaged in creating a stronger and safer community! It is amazing to see the self-expression at these gatherings, and many men have experienced transformations that are freeing them from attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that historically have trapped gay/bi men in closets of stigma, isolation, fear and self-loathing. Taking those garments and masks off to reveal the delightful person underneath is having a profound effect on those who take the step to seek different ways of being with ourselves and each other.
If you would like more information, or want to be put on our contact list for local and statewide activities, call Jeff at (970)243-2437 or email jeff@westcap.info. We welcome volunteers, hosts, ideas and suggestions for activities that make this something meaningful and fun for each other.
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Masquerade 2006 has been cancelled. The Doubletree Hotel has increased their rental cost for the ballroom by 200%. Because Masquerade is always on the edge of break-even the Western Equality Board has determined that we could not afford to pay the new rate at this time. W.E. offers our sincere apologies for being unable to put on this event this year.
Don’t despair -- Western Equality is instead focusing on smaller social activities, and grassroots political organizing, collaborating with local PFLaG and the Mesa State Gay Straight Alliance (PRIDE). The first event to be scheduled is a Women’s Chocolate Paradise Night on January 20th where women will indulge their every chocolate desire, and shmooze until the sugar buzz wears off. Ladies- don’t miss this! The newly founded Marriage Equality Council will be meeting on February 1st to raise awareness about issues of fairness and equality for all. The Council is seeking people interested in working for social change. Look for an early start to begin production on a float for this year’s PRIDE Parade in Denver. Keep checking our Western Equality website, as new events will be posted here.
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