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!

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!

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!

Are you ready to be an advocate for women living with HIV in your community? Here are some ways you can be involved.

25th Annual Seattle AIDS Walk

The Seattle HIV/AIDS Planning Council is a federally mandated decision making body made up of consumers and providers of HIV services. The Council prioritizes and allocates federal Ryan White Act Part A & B funds for King, Island and Snohomish counties. All Planning Council meetings are open to the public and are typically held on the second Monday of the month, 4:00 – 6:30, at the 2100 Building – 2100 24th Ave S, Seattle 98122.

Right now, the Council needs female HIV+ consumers! For more information on meetings, an application, or other questions, call 206-296-4527 or email courtney.speigner@kingcounty.gov

Join the BABES Advisory board! The Advisory board will provide leadership in furthering BABES Network-YWCA’s  mission by engaging positive women and their allies through volunteer leadership oppurtunities, fundraising and general feedback on service delivery and program direction. For more information contact Program Manager, Nicole Price 206-461-4488 or nicole@babesnetwork.org

 The Consumer Caucus provides forums for consumers to learn more and discuss issues of relevance to people living with HIV in King, Snohomish and Island Counties. For more information, call 206-296-4527 or email courtney.speigner@kingcounty.gov