Find out what is happening at BABES Network this month in our May calendar!

YWCA Inspire Luncheons
BABES Network held 5 tables at the Eastside and Seattle YWCA Inspire Luncheons this year. We raised nearly $11,000 for the BABES program and were well acknowledged in the luncheon program! Many thanks to all our supporters! With the two luncheons combined, the YWCA raised more than $1.3 million to support women and families in our communities!! With one more Luncheon in Snohomish County next month, the YWCA is all set to reach its overall goal of $1.45 million. This goes to show how much people are inspired by the YWCA and what it offers women and families in our community.

BABES Retreat 2012 coming this summer!!!
We are taking requests for applications for our annual retreat for HIV+ women, July 13-15th at Camp Burton on Vashon Island! There is a $50 registration fee and scholarships are available.
We will have HIV education, crafts, canoeing, support groups, karaoke and lots of relaxation!

Participant quotations from last year’s retreat:
“We are all in a safe and comfortable place because we know HIV has brought us together to relax and have fun” ~Lindsey

“I was looking forward to this retreat for more than a year.  To see people that I can only see in the retreat, to learn, laugh, cry, sing and simply feel good.” ~Anonymous

“This is a place to come and be me.  I get to meet people who are like me.  You could feel love in the air.” ~Clare

Give us a call for more information we would love to have you join us! 206-720-5566 or the_staff@babesnetwork.org.

“Funding for this Program has been made available as a result of grant awards from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration,and Public Health- Seattle & King County.”

BABES Network – YWCA has found out that we will receive Ryan White Part A funding to provide more peer support services to our members! The contract will run from April 1st, 2012 to February 28th, 2013! BABES Network program staff are increasing our hours and the BABES Network office will now be open Monday-Friday every week, 10-4pm.

In the April Calendar find out what is going on at BABES Network this month!

And its that time of year to start getting geared up for the BABES Leadership Summer Retreat for women living with HIV! We are now taking requests for applications – call us today at 206-720-5566. The Retreat will be at Camp Burton from July 13-15. There is a $50 registration fee; scholarships are available.

 Welcome Ariana Cantu!

BABES Network-YWCA is excited to introduce our new Health Access Department Associate Director Ariana Cantu! Ariana earned her Master’s degree in social work from the University of Washington in 2007, and has worked for the last five years at Solid Ground, where she directed the Community Voicemail program, managed the administrative budget and has taken a lead role in the development of the organization’s strategic plan and major policies and procedures. She has been a leader in the implementation of Solid Ground’s anti-racism initiative and coordinated the activities of their Consumer Advisory Council. We are so delighted that Ariana will be leading the YWCA Health Access Department and BABES Network teams!

March 10th is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day! Join BABES Network-YWCA and other community partners for Taking Action: A Women’s Health and Wellness Fair on Thursday, March 8th from 4-8pm, panel discussion to begin at 6pm. HIV and women’s health organizations will be sharing information about their services. HIV and Hepatitis C testing, blood pressure checks, diabetes testing, and cholesterol panels will be available. Food, raffle prizes, entertainment and more! Bring your family and friends!

Leadership Training for HIV+ people

Are you a person living with HIV? Are you ready to be a leader in your community? AIDS Advocacy Task Force is planning a leadership training for people who are HIV+ on March 24 & 25 on Vashon Island at Camp Burton! For more details contact Courtney Speigner at 206-296-4527 or courtney.speigner@kingcounty.gov.

Goodbye to Scott Pinegar, YWCA Health Access Associate Director

As of today, March 1, 2012, BABES Network-YWCA celebrates 7 years as a program of the YWCA. Scott Pinegar played a major role in bringing the BABES program to the YWCA and its Health Access Department. We are really lucky to be part of such an amazing organization and to have our program overseen by such a dedicated, inspiring, smart man! Scott has been with the YWCA for 17 years and we will miss him greatly in our department, but wish him luck in his new position as Program Manager in the YWCA Shelter Plus Care Program.

Everyone needs a day filled with rest and relaxation…including you! That’s why, on February 25th, from 10am – 4pm, BABES Network is hosting our Annual One Day Retreat in Downtown Seattle! Come for a day of massages, games, and gift bags – while also learning about self defense, cervical and breast health, and dating and disclosure. A special thanks to Abbott Pharmaceuticals for sponsoring this event and providing lunch. Call BABES to RSVP and check out our February calendar/flyer!

 Thursday, March 8th

You are invited to attend the BABES Health Fair and Discussion Panel!

YWCA – 1118 Fifth Ave – Seattle

Health Fair Discussion 4pm - Panel 6:00pm

Bring your daughters, sisters, friends, cousins and neighbors to learn more about HIV services and women’s health services in the Seattle area. Also learn about how providers in the community work with HIV+ women and hear real stories from real BABES in your community!

Taking Action: A Women’s Health and Wellness Fair

Free HIV testing, health information and screenings, raffle prizes, snacks, entertainment, discussion panel and more! Everyone is welcome! Please call BABES Network for questions @ 206-720-5566.

Made possible by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Office on Women’s Health.

YWCA Inspire Luncheons are quickly approaching and BABES Network needs people interested in being Table Captains at the luncheons. Program Manager Nicole Price will be a table captain, so please contact her to sit at her table! BABES Network tables can designate their donations directly to the BABES Network program. The suggested donation for the luncheons is $150, and they are fabulous opportunities to learn more about the YWCA, and to support BABES Network in the process!

BABES is ending 2011 with a bang!

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!