Letters of encouragement, community connection, and the launch of HQ!
By: Morgan Wynkoop, Marketing & Development Assistant
A community that slays is a community that stays together. This June, our staff showed up in full force at the Annual Woonsocket Pride Festival. Staff were excited and looked forward to making connections at the agency table and celebrating among community members.
The hard work and dedication behind Woonsocket Pride did not go unnoticed. With talented drag performances, small business displays, and a safe space to celebrate, the festival was truly memorable. Surrounded by vendors, artists, and community members, the event showcased Woonsocket’s creativity and community spirit.
In collaboration with the Youth Harbour Center, staff facilitated a table activity where festivalgoers wrote letters to LGBTQIA+ youth here at the agency. Many of the letters gave the receivers hope and confidence, reminding them that they are worthy, loved, and that they matter.
Heartfelt letters echoed a similar theme: to always be you. Living as you truly are makes a powerful statement that no one should take away. One letter that stood out came from a visitor who signed it “Mom.” She wrote: “Remember how worthy you are of love, inside and out! Take up space and never make yourself smaller to fit any space! I love you — Mom.”
Sharing these letters brings a sense of connectedness and positivity that others may need during this time.
Celestino Pottinger, our ASU administrative staff member states, “It is always such a joy to be able to spread resources and build connections with community members who often find their needs and identities getting sidelined by health care providers.” These connections allow us to communicate that we are here to empower and support individuals through whatever challenges they face.
As table-goers stopped by to write letters, learn more about services, play bingo, or grab some free candy, they also had the opportunity to learn about and sign up for a new and upcoming community group. HQ is an LGBTQIA+ community group that serves as a safe space and outreach in the Northern Rhode Island area.
Our CEO Ben Lessing sparked the idea to have a queer community space in response to rising threats and challenges to LGBTQIA+ rights in the U.S. Felicity Dyer, our Community Behavioral Health Liaison, took up the challenge of starting the group. With the support and collaboration of Ben Lessing, Alfie Rayner, and Celestino Pottinger, the idea became a reality.
We’re very excited to hold HQ Community Group sessions. If you have a friend, family member, client, etc., who is interested in being part of this, sign up using the link below. Making important connections is crucial to our mental well-being.
Visit here to sign up! https://forms.office.com/r/K9mbgzJa8Q
The hard work and involvement of staff does not go unseen. Thank you to: Mark Cote, Celestino Pottinger, Timothy DeLisle, Joneilly Alicea-Colon, Daniel Ruiz, Felicity Dyer, and Morgan Wynkoop for helping to launch this new community initiative.
To our clients, community, and staff — we hope you’ve had a wonderful Pride Month!