Health

Center CARE Group Services

Group Services has a long and strong history as part of Center CARE (Counseling, Advocacy, Recovery and Education), the adult mental health and social services program at the LGBT Community Center.

Center CARE Group Services aims to offer affirming environments to help LGBT-identified people reduce isolation and stigma; learn healthy relationship skills; get support handling HIV, substance use, bereavement, anxiety and depression; explore their sexual orientation and gender identity; and connect with others who share similar concerns in a safe and affirming environment.

We have groups that you can drop in to when you want, as well as ongoing groups where you can get to know people well and develop trusting relationships over time.

A new cycle of groups generally begins every October, February, and June. Many of our groups are open to people of all genders. Our current group offerings are organized as follows:



WELLNESS

Living Mindfully
A six-week workshop to help members manage stress, promote physical and psychological health, reduce incidence of depression, anxiety, and self-destructive behaviors. Through the practice of meditation members will gain insight, emotional balance, focus, and enhanced well-being. No previous experience is required. Meditation instruction will be provided, followed by practice time and group discussion.
Mondays, 6-7:30 pm—May 19-June30 (no mtg May 26). Intake required. Provided on sliding scale.

Wellness Circle
An open group to provide emotional support to all Center CARE clients. Each session will include an open discussion period as well as a discussion of such topics as: nutrition, medications, relationships, different types of therapy and more. Wednesdays 5-6pm. Drop In. Ongoing. Intake required for ongoing attendance. Free.

Bereavement Support Group
A ten-week group to help lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender-identified people navigate their grief and healing processes after losing a loved one.
Mondays, 6-7:30 pm—June 2-July 21. Intake required. Please call to schedule. Provided on sliding scale.

Life Coaching for Gay Men
A four-week series designed to assist gay and bisexual men and men of trans-experience in learning new ways to make positive changes, reduce stress, enhance health and begin to increase the level of satisfaction in their lives.
May 15-June 5, 6-7:30pm; offered again on July 10-31. Intake required. Please call to schedule. Free.

Yoga for People of All Genders
A weekly drop-in yoga workshop for people of all genders. Part of Center CARE’s transgender peer-driven services. Weekly attendance not required.
Tuesdays, 6-7:30pm. May 6-June 17. $5 suggested donation, no one turned away for lack of funds. Drop-in. No registration required.

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HIV & AIDS SUPPORT

Getting Connected: An Open Support Circle For HIV+ People
A supportive space to assist HIV+ people who are new to HIV—whether newly diagnosed, new to the Center, new to New York City, or new to accessing support around HIV. The group seeks to provide emotional support and orientation to HIV services in NYC.
Will resume in Fall 2008.

Positive Care I: Newly Diagnosed HIV+
A group for newly diagnosed HIV+ men to provide emotional support to ease anxiety, fear, and isolation related to a new diagnosis and to help members begin to adjust to HIV in their lives. Open to gay and bisexual men and men of trans-experience.
Mondays 6-7:30pm—June 2– August 4.
Intake required. Please call to schedule. Free.

Positive Care II: Living with HIV
A group for men living long term with HIV to provide emotional support to maintain and promote health and happiness. This group provides a space to discuss concerns around self-esteem, isolation, safer sex, stigma, etc. Open to gay and bisexual men and men of trans-experience.
Mondays 7:30-9 pm—June 2– August 4.
Intake required. Please call to schedule. Free.

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LESBIAN CANCER INITIATIVE

Survivors Group
An eight-week group for lesbians, bisexual women and transgender cancer survivors to help participants navigate the challenges of living with, and after, a cancer diagnosis. The group will focus on cancer’s broad impact on our lives, from the stress of navigating the medical system and treatment decisions to its effect on sexuality, body image and relationships. This group is offered in partnership with SHARE.
Thursdays, 6-7:30pm—June 12-July 31.
Intake required. Please call to schedule. Free.

Caring for Someone with Cancer/ Caring for Ourselves
An eight-week support group for lesbians, bisexual women & transgender (LBT) people caring for a partner, friend or family member with a cancer diagnosis, as well as women and transgender people offering care to an LBT person with cancer. The purpose of this group is to help participants navigate the challenges of caring for someone with a cancer diagnosis. The group will focus on juggling the emotions and responsibilities of care giving with the critical importance of self-care for the caregiver
Thursdays, 6:30-8pm—June 12-July 31.
Intake required. Please call to schedule. Free.

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GENDER IDENTITY PROJECT

All Gender Identity Project groups are drop-in. Drop-In groups allow you to come to as many or as few sessions as you want. However, please come on time and leave on time.

Gender Drop-In: Feminine Spectrum
A weekly drop-in group for those assigned male at birth who now identify as trans-femme, trans-women, trans-female, cross-dresser, drag queen, transsexual, femme queen, exploring, and so forth to explore and discuss their feelings and concerns about gender, trans-identities and their histories.
Wednesdays, 7:30-9pm. June 4-July 23.
Drop-in. No registration required. $5 suggested donation, but no one turned away.

Gender Drop-In: Masculine Spectrum
A weekly drop-in group for those assigned female at birth who now identify as trans-masculine, trans-men, trans-male, boi, gender-queer, AG/Aggressive, transsexual, androgynous, exploring, and so forth to explore and discuss their feelings and concerns about gender, trans-identities and their histories.
Wednesdays, 7:30-9pm. June 4-July 23.
Drop-in. No registration required. $5 suggested donation, but no one turned away.

Trans Families
A monthly drop-in group for family members of someone who is transgender, transsexual, gender-different or gender questioning. Come together with other moms, dads, uncles, siblings, grandparents and adult children of transgender individuals.
Wednesdays, 6-7:30pm. May 14, June 11, July 9, August 13. [2nd Wednesday of the month]
Drop-in. No registration required. $5 suggested donation, but no one turned away.

Trans Partners | Trans Amorous
A monthly drop-in group to provide support and community for people of all genders to discuss and explore their attraction to and relationships with trans-identified or gender non-conforming individuals. Group is open to people currently or formerly in partnerships with trans-people and those exploring their attractions.
Wednesdays, 7:30-9pm. May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6. [1st Wednesday of the month]
Drop-in. No registration required. $5 suggested donation, but no one turned away.

Transgender Health Initiative of New York (THINY)
A monthly drop-in advocacy group working to create a community-based trans-access to healthcare movement. THINY is for transgender, gender non-conforming people and allies. It is hosted by the TLDEF, the GIP, and NYAGRA.
Tuesdays, 6-7:30pm. May 6, June 3, July 8, August 5, September 9.
Drop-in. No registration required. Free.

Trans Events Committee
An ongoing, monthly drop-in working group working to organize, plan and produce Center events of relevance to the trans-communities and is open to transgender, gender non-conforming people and allies.
Wednesdays, 6-7:30pm. May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6, September 3.
Drop-in. No registration required. Free.

Sign up for the GIP newsletter.

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SMOKEFREE PROJECT

Not Quite Ready to Quit
The 3-hour Not Quite Ready to Quit workshop focuses on understanding nicotine addiction, increasing motivation, and eliminating roadblocks to making the decision to quit.
Screening Required. No charge. SmokeFree Project (212) 620-7310 x 295
General: Wed April 10 6-9pm, Sat April 12 1-4pm
HIV: Wed June 4 6-9pm, Sat June 9 1-4pm
Commit to Quit
The 6-week Commit to Quit group helps you develop a quit plan, build a support system, and effectively handle relapse pressure after you have quit. One session of Not Quite Ready to Quit is required.
Screening Required. Offered at no charge. SmokeFree Project 620-7310 x 295
General: begins Thursday April 17, 6:30-8pm
HIV: begins Wednesday June 11, 6-7:30pm

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IMMIGRATION SUPPORT

Nostalgia
How to cope with the sadness of missing family and friends from your native country. This support circle will provide a safe environment for LGBT immigrants to talk about the isolation associated with immigration and migration to a new country. The Group will be facilitated by George Fesser, the Coordinator of immigrant Services at Center CARE. For more information about this group, please contact George at 212-620-7310.
English Group: Tuesday July 8, 6-7:30pm

Nostalgía
Hablaremos de como podemos bregar con la falta de familía y amistades de nuestros países de origin. Para mas informacíon contacte a George at 212-620-7310 x291.
Spanish Group: Tuesday June 3, 6-7:30pm

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To contact us: Call 212.620.7310 and ask to speak with the Center CARE screening counselor.