Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly, Boston Chapter, Celebrates LGBT Pride Month 2016 with expanded outreach to LGBT elders
JAMAICA PLAIN – Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly (LBFE), Boston Chapter, announced that as part of LGBT Pride Month 2016, LBFE has participated in a training with the LGBT Aging Project at Fenway Health to increase the staff’s capacity to meet the needs of our LGBT elderly friends. The LGBT Aging Project trains and outlines goals for mainstream community service providers and agencies to recognize and address hurdles faced by LGBT elders with awareness and programming.
“Our elders already face significant challenges with isolation and loneliness in the home throughout Greater Boston, and LGBT elders are particularly at risk and invisible within their communities,” said LBFE – Boston Executive Director Nikki Therrien. “Adding programming and raising awareness enables our staff and volunteers to better address the special needs and loneliness faced by the LGBT elder community.”
Little Brothers’ staff, board members and volunteers participated in training by Fenway Health’s LGBT Aging Project,that raises awareness for organizations and service providers engaging with elders and caregivers and promotes inclusive programming, successful outreach and cultural sensitivity
The LGBT Aging Project was founded in 2001 by a group of advocates from both the aging service network and the LGBT community who recognized that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender elders are invisible to mainstream elder service providers and that older LGBTs are often invisible within the LGBT community as well. In 2013, the LGBT Aging Project became part of The Fenway Institute at Fenway Health, helping to strengthen training, outreach and educational efforts for LGBT older adults at both organizations.
Thursday, June 22, 2016
WHO: Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly & LGBT Aging Project
WHAT: A Caring Response for Elder Direct Care staff training
WHEN: 12-2pm
WHERE: Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly, 3305 Washington St. Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
About Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly, Boston Chapter (LBFE – Boston)
LBFE — Boston was founded in 1979 as part of a national network of non-profit volunteer-based organizations committed to relieving isolation and loneliness among the elderly in Greater Boston. Our motto, flowers before bread, reflects our belief that living is more than a roof over our heads and food on the table, but also the presence of people who care. Staff and over 1,500 volunteers, provide companionship, support and care to over 800 elders seventy and over without the benefit of family or adequate social contacts. Priority is given to those living independently at, or below the poverty line, without charge and without regard to race, gender, creed, nationality, or sexual orientation. LBFE – Boston is a 501(c)(3) operating solely with the support of individual donors, volunteers and foundation or corporate assistance. For more information, visit www.littlebrothersboston.org.