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l to r: Jane Keir of Huntington, Eliza Heppner, Clark Sheldon, and RU12? co-chair Christina Fulton.
BURLINGTON - The merger of a queer community center and a resource organization for LGBT victims of violence is stepping up a notch. With the combining of the two, new staff has been added, and services are expanding and changing to better meet the needs of the community.
SafeSpace, which works to end violence affecting the LGBT community, moved into the R.U.1.2? Community Center at 34 Elmwood Avenue in late summer. The organizations held their first joint open house in October.
In coming months, the newly combined board will meet for further strategic planning, which may involve moving to a larger space, said R.U.1.2? Executive Director Kara DeLeonardis. The organization plans to hire a development director to help with the planning process, she said.
At the crowded open house, SafeSpace Program Director Ann Atkins told visitors that SafeSpace is becoming more visible and people continue to come in for help. The Burlington police department is also referring people to SafeSpace, she said.
Also at SafeSpace, intern Brenda Pitmon is helping to organize the Trans Day of Remembrance to be held on Saturday, Nov. 18. Pitmon is a graduate student in social work at UVM. Resource Coordinator Eliza Heppner is working on volunteer recruitment and training.
R.U.1.2?'s Health and Wellness Program Director Shawn Lipenski introduced the Wall of Awareness, a section of wall space just inside the front door reserved for people to share their stories of unfair treatment or harassment.
Bob Bolyard talked about the What's Up calendar he sends out regularly that contains a comprehensive schedule of events. He also acts as a Peer Outreach Worker at R.U.1.2?, as does Clark Sheldon. Sheldon discussed his health outreach with men who have sex with men, and queer and transgender people, which includes online chats and telephone contacts about safer sex. He also provides HIV testing.
Several other organizations use space at the Center, including Vermont Pride, Mountain Pride Media and the Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force.
Also, Equality Vermont, an organization that works for LGBT rights, is being reorganized, DeLeonardis said. R.U.1.2? is changing the status of Equality Vermont, currently a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to a 501(c)(4) nonprofit political advocacy and lobbying organization.
The change will "allow both organizations to focus more directly on legislation that affects our community, something that neither organization was fully able to do before," R.U.1.2.? said.
To help pay for the $500 application for 501(c)(4) status, requested donations should be sent to Equality VT c/o R.U.1.2? Community Center, PO Box 5883, Burlington, VT 05402. -- Ed.