April 28, 2021
Dear Lowellyn Sunga,
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May is Older Americans Month...
The LGBTQ community has withstood countless trials and heralded momentous triumphs over the course of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, and the people who battled utmost for us through those onerous times remain among our community's greatest assets. Through their guiding wisdom, unwavering love for their chosen families, and steadfast commitment to full equality, older LGBTQ Americans continue to channel and enrich our community with the history of their struggles and with their familiarity of where we ALL have been.
LGBTQ older adults make countless contributions as active participants in our community. From our health care facilities and schools to our faith-based and service organizations, the philanthropy and talents of our active older LGBTQ adults enhance the well-being of our oldest old, the education of our youth, solidifies our chosen families, and sustains the basic needs in our diverse community. This year's theme for Older Americans Month, "Communities of Strength," celebrates the accomplishments of older Americans and encourages older adults to find even more ways to invigorate the community while staying fully engaged.
As we honor the achievements and ongoing contributions of our older LGBTQ Americans, the San Mateo County Pride Center is working daily to secure our LGBTQ older adults with the supports to stay healthy, independent, and fully involved. We remain deeply committed to The Older Adult LGBTQ Peer Counseling & Programs where we strive to improve the well-being, physical and mental health of older people in the community by reducing isolation and offering meaningful community connections. The Older Adult LGBTQ Peer Counseling & Programs of the San Mateo County Pride Center creates a safe and compassionate environment that encourages continued growth, builds local networks of support, and helps to integrate people from diverse backgrounds, experiences, identities, and perspectives.
Our LGBTQ older adults have devoted their entire lives to propagating meaningful freedoms for the future our community deserves. During Older Americans Month, we celebrate their successes and recommit to supporting them as they shape our community's greatest legacies for future generations. I invite LGBTQ people of all ages to recognize the contributions of older LGBTQ Americans during this month and throughout the year.
From May 6–May 27, three (3) counties are pooling their resources and will be offering twenty-four (24) programs in celebration of Older Americans Month. From a virtual tour of Deer Hollow Farm to line dancing, from an interesting cooking class to “Time in Nature” with Doug McConnell – there will surely be activities and events of interest to arouse your curiosity and open you to new and interesting endeavors.
For more information, please see information on Older Americans Month here: www.belmont.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/20495/637545963703727122
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May 2021 Programming
Fit Fusion
Monday, May 3 from 9:30-10:30 AM
A morning cardio class to help ensure you reach your fitness goal. This class meets every Monday and Wednesday morning. Please register in advance with Ellyn (She/Her) at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org
Let Kindness Bloom: Rock Painting with Lindsay’s Craft Studio
Monday, May 3 from 3:30 - 5:00 PM
Learn to paint rocks one could find in nature. You’ll need a rock (large enough to fill your hand), a very small brush, a water cup for rinsing, paper towels for blotting, and acrylic paint colors of white, bright yellow, bright green, navy blue and deep purple. Please register in advance with Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org
Chair Yoga
Tuesday, May 4 from 9:30-10:30 AM
What is chair yoga? Chair yoga is a style of yoga therapy that may be ideal for folks who have limited mobility, are new to yoga or work at a desk for prolonged periods of time. Improve your balance, lower limb strength, fight depression and gain vitality in this meditative morning class! Every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 9:30-10:30 AM. Please register in advance by contacting Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org
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LGBTQ Book Club (18 )
Wed., May 5 from
4:30-6:00 PM
The San Mateo County Pride Center and Peninsula Family Service co-hosts LGBTQ Book Club every first Wednesday of the month! This club is free, open to folks 18 and runs from 4:30-6PM.
Pre-registration is required. Please use this link to register: https://tinyurl.com/SMCPC-bookclub.
This month, participants have the option of reading two books about the life of Bayard Rustin: Lost Prophet by John D'Emilio or Troublemaker for Justice by Jacqueline Houtman, Walter Naegle, Michael G. Long
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| Chair Yoga
Thursday, May 6 from 9:30-10:30 AM
Every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 9:30-10:30 AM. Please register in advance by contacting Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org
Tai Chi
Friday, May 7 from 9:30-10:30 AM
Enhance your physical health by improving posture, balance, flexibility and strength. Tai Chi also helps to alleviate pain. Join us every Friday morning for this morning class from 9:30-10:30 AM. Please register in advance by contacting Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org
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Just announced: Social Group for LGBTQ Women 55
Every Friday afternoon from 2-3 PM on Zoom!
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Music and Trivia for Older Adults!
Friday, May 7 from
4-5 PM
Contact Chris Lu at luc@smcl.org for additional information and to register.
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| | Fit Fusion
Monday, May 10 from 9:30-10:30 AM
A morning cardio class to help ensure you reach your fitness goal. This class meets every Monday and Wednesday morning. Please register in advance with Ellyn (She/Her) at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org
Chair Yoga
Tuesday, May 11 from 9:30-10:30 AM
Please register in advance by contacting Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org
Fit Fusion
Wednesday, May 12 from 9:30-10:30 AM
A morning cardio class to help ensure you reach your fitness goal. This class meets every Monday and Wednesday morning. Please register in advance with Ellyn (She/Her) at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org
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| Film Discussion Group:
Fresh Faces: New Voices in American Cinema
Wednesday, May 12
from 3-4:30 PM First Film: Fruitvale Station, Directed by Ryan Coogler
Please watch the film ahead of time and join us to discuss it with others. This film is available to stream on Netflix. Please register in advance with Ellyn at Ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org
(CW: brief images of police violence)
| Chair Yoga
Thursday, May 13 from 9:30-10:30 AM
Please register in advance by contacting Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org
Intersection of Race and the LGBTQ community
Thursday, May 13 at 4-5 PM
42% of LGBTQ adults in the United States identify as people of color and as the national discussion around racial equality grows, many individuals are facing challenging conversations with people who are uninformed about race, identity or the intersection of both. Please register for this event through Eventbrite.
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Tai Chi
Friday, May 14 from 9:30-10:30 AM
Please register in advance by contacting Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org
Fit Fusion
Monday, May 17 from 9:30-10:30 AM
Please register in advance with Ellyn (She/Her) at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org
Get APP-y Workshop
Monday, May 17 from Noon-1pm
Have a question about your tablet or laptop? Think your phone may be smarter than you? Join us at Get APP-y Workshop (formerly APP-y Hour) to freely ask questions and get answers that help you through your tech challenges. Please register in advance to Arlene at aaquino@peninsulafamilyservice.org. This workshop meets monthly on the 3rd Monday of the month.
Chair Yoga
Tuesday, May 18 from 9:30-10:30 AM
Please register in advance by contacting Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org
Fit Fusion
Wed., May 19 from 9:30-10:30 AM
Please register in advance with Ellyn (She/Her) at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org
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Film Discussion group:
Fresh Faces: New Voices in American Cinema
Wed., May 19 from 3-4:30 PM
Second film: The 40 Year Old Version, directed by Radha Blank
Please watch the film ahead of time and join us to discuss it with others. This film is available to stream on Netflix. Please register in advance with Ellyn at Ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org
For a trailer of the film, please click movie image.
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| Growth and Recovery in the Face of Challenges: Re-examining Myths about Mental Health
Friday, May 21 from 1-2:30 PM
A panel of Older Adults will share their lived experiences of continuing their recovery path despite challenges. Whether change is intentional or imposed, good or bad, we can be empowered to continue toward recovery using strengths we find from hope, purpose, family, community connections services and support, spirituality, creativity. Please contact John Butler at newhope8@aol.com or Jean Perry at JeanPV78@gmail.com.
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Film Discussion group:
Fresh Faces: New Voices in American Cinema
Wed., May 26 from 3-4:30 PM
Third film:
Leave No Trace directed by Deborah Granik
Please watch the film ahead of time and join us to discuss it with others. This film is available to stream through Kanopy through the San Mateo County Library system. For more information about Kanopy, please see this link: smcl.org/resources-types/evideos/
Please register in advance with Ellyn at Ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org
Please click image for a trailer of the film
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| Looking forward to seeing you at this month’s events
Please contact Ellyn (She/Her) if you need support or have questions about any of the programs and events listed above at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org
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GET READY FOR SAN MATEO COUNTY PRIDE 2021
DURING THE WEEK OF JUNE 6-12!
For more information about the celebration, please see this link: www.smcpridecelebration.com
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In community,
Ellyn Bloomfield (she/her)
Older Adult Program Coordinator
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