Project Connect

APICHA is excited to announce the launch of Project Connect, a new program for Asian and Pacific Islanders (A&PI) who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, and Intersex (LGBTQI).

LGBTQI A&PI individuals experience barriers accessing services and are often underserved due to a spectrum of reasons including culture, linguistic isolation, and the lack of supportive networks. New initiatives under Project Connect were created to improve general health and well-being, and increase access to culturally competent human and health services for LGBTQI A&PIs. Our new programs include A Healthier Me! Skills-building Workshop Series for adults, GAYME (GLBTQI A&PI Youth Mentorship for Empowerment), and cultural competency trainings for health and human service providers.

UPCOMING A Healthier Me! Workshops (click links for more information)

Upcoming Workshops
Sunday, January 29, 2012		APICHA marching with Lunar New Year for All, LGBT Contingent in Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade
Thursday, February 2, 2012		Working on Your Fitness! Trainer Tips for Hitting the Gym
Tuesday, February 21, 2012		Intuitive Eating: A Tasting Session!
Previous Workshops
Tuesday, February 15, 2011		You Better Work! : Tips and Tools for Filing Your Income Tax Return
March 2011		Check Your Parts! Cancer Prevention for Bodies of All Genders
12/6/10		Ask a Surgeon: What to Consider when Planning FTM Top Surgery
10/19/10, Tuesday		Nurturing Fall Transitions—An Introduction to the Healing Power of Reiki
7/21/10, Wednesday		Queer Storytelling
5/24/10, Monday		LGBT A&PI Families & Friends
5/5/10, Wednesday		Everybody Hurts: Mental Health of LGBTQ Asian Americans
4/19/10, Monday		BDSM 101 (18+ workshop)
5/26/09, Tuesday		Domestic Violence in LGBTQI communities
4/30/09, Thursday		Navigating the System: Addressing Barriers to Health
4/8/09, Wednesday		Growing Up Gaysian: Experiences of LGBTQ Asian Americans
3/7/09, Saturday		Self-Defense for LGBT (in two parts)
2/20/09, Friday		Financial Independence: Learn It, Do It, Achieve It!
1/27/09, Tuesday		Rights, Representation & Revolution: The intersection between LGBT & Asian American civil rights & immigrant rights

A Healthier Me! Skills Workshop Series

Our skills-building workshop series, A Healthier Me!, invites expert speakers from the larger communities to lead workshops or lectures. Many of our speakers work specifically with LGBTQI and/or A&PI individuals in their profession and many identify as LGBTQI, A&PI, or both. All speakers are deeply committed to serving the LGBTQI A&PI community and have tailored their workshops to specifically address issues specific to the LGBTQI A&PI population. Project Connect’s first A Healthier Me! workshop by Alan Lee, a certified food, nutrition, and fitness expert of 12 years, taught participants the importance of eating appropriately, supplements, and exercise.

Please email projectconnect@apicha.org or call 646-744-0990 for inquiries or interest.

GAYME Youth Mentorship

Project Connect’s youth initiative, GAYME (GLBTQI A&PI Youth Mentorship for   Empowerment), connects LGBTQI A&PI youth with other youth and adults to share their experiences. GAYME departs from the traditional one-on-one mentorship style, utilizing an informal, topic-based group workshop method preferred by LGBTQI A&PI youth. These groups will allow youth and mentors to draw upon an array of different experiences to cultivate understanding and build a supportive community. Session topics are concerns identified by LGBTQI A&PI youth and include: self-image, acceptance of multiple identities, coming out, body image, budgeting, getting into college, affording college, career paths, and finding jobs/job security.

UPCOMING GAYME Workshops

February 11, 2012 February 25, 2012 March 10, 2012 March 31, 2012 April 14, 2012 April 28, 2012

Please email projectconnect@apicha.org or call 646-744-0990 for inquiries or interest.

Training for Service Providers

In improving the accessibility and quality of services for LGBTQI A&PI, Project Connect engages with local service providers to encourage awareness of LGBTQI A&PI concerns. Trainings for organizational staff to develop cultural competence and LGBTQI-sensitivity will be offered to create systemic change.

For more information and to stay up to date on more Project Connect Workshops, contact us at projectconnect@apicha.org or call 646-744-0990. Or follow Project Connect on twitter @ProjConnect