BABES Network-YWCA

We are so excited at how successful our Stella Steps Out Fundraiser turned out! We raised $23,000 for the BABES Network-YWCA program, surpassing our goal of $20,000.

We appreciate our sponsors for helping this event be so successful:
MOM’s Pharmacy
Adams Insurance
Chapman, LLC
Janssen Therapeutics
Tom Douglas Catering and Events
Big thanks to the Stella Planning committee, the YWCA Advancement team, and our delightful Emcee Sister Glo Euro N’Wei! You all
made this event a success!
Check out some of the photos from Stella!
BABES Network-YWCA has been providing services to women living with HIV for over 23 years. We are so lucky to have
such a supportive community that believes in the important work that BABES Network does in our community.
Thank you so much for all of your continued support!
~BABES Network-YWCA Staff

Want to learn what the Candidates stance on womens issue are?

WA Governor candidate forum with YWCA & Firesteel
The YWCA and our advocacy network Firesteel are bringing both WA state governor candidates to your computer for a virtual forum. Use Google+ Air Hangout to join the conversation and ask Jay Inslee and Rob McKenna what they
think about women’s socio-economic issues, domestic violence, and homelessness.

Jay Inslee round table:
Wednesday, October 3, from noon to 1 p.m.
Rob McKenna round table:
Friday, October 5, from 5 to 5:45 p.m.

Hosted by the YWCA and broadcast live via Google+ Hangout on Air

BABES is ending 2011 with a bang!  We’re very close to bringing in over $30K in support over the last two months including support from Macy’s Passport Fund and individual donors.  This last year has brought many challenges, and we just want to say THANK YOU to our many supporters.  There’s still time to donate online.

We  recognize and appreciate the countless volunteer hours that keep BABES running.  Whether you cooked a meal or facilitated support group, you made a difference for HIV+ women who often face violence at home, poverty and other huge life challenges in addition to HIV. 

We recognize the generous donors who believe in the importance of women having a place for support, advocacy and education and who recognize that HIV cannot be prevented by keeping silent.  Thank you. 

2012 brings many exciting events, some new and some old.  Our January Calendar features info about the January Educational Dinner, One Day Retreat and HHS-sponsored Taking Action: Women’s Health and Wellness Fair. 

We hope that you’ll continue to stay in touch with us and let us know if you’ve moved or have a new phone number.  If you’re hoping to get more involved here are three opportunities:

• Attend an ongoing training to become a peer volunteer (open to positive women).
• Join WHACAN!   A newly forming statewide advocacy group called Washington HIV/AIDS Community Advocacy Network (WHACAN) is recruiting advocates, allies and consumers to join. We anticipate HIV/AIDS program service cuts in our state in 2012. This is an opportunity to mobilize to maintain essential services for people living with HIV/AIDS in WA! All are welcome.
• Join the BABES Advisory Board to provide important imput on BABES programs and help increase resources! Talk to Nicole for more info.

Happy New Year to all!

Check out our World AIDS Day events flier and BABES December Calendar!

Happy Holidays from BABES Staff, Volunteers and Advisory Board!

Last year, many local organizations supported BABES Network-YWCA and our World AIDS Day event. This year, rather than holding our own event again, we decided we wanted to support the events of other local organizations! We hope you can join us!

In our December Calendar, we have listed some of the events going on in the Seattle area you might like to attend!

The World Health Organization established World AIDS Day in 1988. Because there are currently 1.2 million people living with HIV in the U.S., and because 1 in 5 people infected with HIV don’t know it, this year’s theme is “Getting to Zero.” Zero New HIV Infections, Zero Discrimination & Zero AIDS-Related Deaths.

On World AIDS Day, U.S. Positive Women’s Network is launching Count Us In! - a national campaign focused on ensuring that women living with and vulnerable to HIV receive women-centered care that upholds our human rights! Want to get involved in the Count Us In! campaign and have your voice heard? Contact BABES Network Program Manager Nicole Price, Nicole@babesnetwork.org, (206-461-4488).

Prairie Underground is having a Sample Sale this Saturday and Sunday (December 3rd & 4th) from 10am-5pm! The event will take place at the Canal Building in Fremont (716 North 34th Street)! Twenty percent of the sale proceeds will be donated to BABES Network-YWCA! Come down check out their clothing line and visit BABES staff and volunteers. We will be there all weekend!

Exciting events going on in November at BABES Network!

Check out the Fall 2011 Newsletter to read the submissions from BABES members from their 5-week Writers and Poets workshop with Caroline Brown! We would like to thank the BABES members who participated for sharing their beautiful pieces with the BABES Community.

Calling all HIV+ women! We have a training coming up you definitely won’t want to miss!  U.S. Positive Women’s Network is coming to Seattle for an all-day Communications, Media and Policy Training - Saturday, November 19th from 9-5pm at the YWCA on Fifth and Seneca! For more details check out the newsletter and call the BABES staff to get your name on the list. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Please also ask about free parking spots when calling to RSVP.

Also in November join us for our Annual Harvest Dinner Friday, November 11th from 6-8pm. Dr. Javeed Sidiqqui from Sacramento, CA. will be the speaker and as usual we will have a full Thanksgiving style dinner. The event will take place at the YWCA 5th and Seneca Multipurpose room. Please feel free to bring a guest and make sure to RSVP to BABES. This event made possible by ViiV Healthcare.

From the staff and volunteers at BABES Network-YWCA we would like to wish you all a very happy holiday season!