 CAN Community Health is excited to announce that they are now offering resources and vaccinations for the highly contagious mpox virus. As you may be aware, the mpox virus has caused widespread illness and even death in some cases. It is crucial that you take precautions to protect yourself and your community from this dangerous virus. CAN Community Health is committed to helping you stay healthy and safe, which is why they are now offering resources and vaccinations to help prevent the spread of the mpox virus. Their team of trained healthcare professionals is here to answer any questions you may have and provide you with the necessary resources and vaccinations to keep you and your loved ones protected. To learn more about their mpox resources and vaccinations, they encourage you to contact your local CAN Community Health office. Their team is available to answer any questions you may have and help you take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your community from the mpox virus. They understand that the pandemic has been a challenging and stressful time for many people, but with the help of CAN Community Health, you can rest assured that you are taking the necessary precautions to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. So don't hesitate – contact your local CAN Community Health office today to learn more about their mpox resources and vaccinations. Sarasota's Local CAN office: 1231 N Tuttle Ave, Sarasota, FL 34237 941-366-0134  As we approach the end of 2022 and welcome in a new year, many people may be considering making a change in their lives. For those in the LGBTQ+ community struggling with alcohol addiction, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) can be a powerful tool for achieving lasting recovery. One of the great strengths of AA is its inclusivity and welcoming nature. For LGBTQ+ individuals seeking a safe and accepting space to work towards recovery, the New Friends of LGBT group offers open meetings specifically for the LGBTQ+ community. These meetings are held in person and online, and provide a confidential space for attendees to share their experiences and work toward lasting recovery. In addition to AA meetings, the LGBTQ+ community in Sarasota also has access to sober social events through Project Pride's Sarasota Sober Social group. These events occur at local businesses that do not sell alcohol, such as coffee and ice cream shops, and provide a drug and alcohol-free space for the community to socialize and have fun. If you or someone you know is interested in exploring sober living and building a supportive recovery community, consider joining the New Friends of LGBT AA group or attending a Sarasota Sober Social event. More information about these groups can be found at below: New Friends of LGBT Sarasota Sober Social:  Blaze of Hope, collected toys for All Children's Hospital this holiday season, ensuring that children who are unable to be home for Christmas will still be able to experience the joy of opening gifts. With the help from Sun Outdoors Sarasota, TKSweets, and Intercostal Medical Group, Blaze of Hope was able to gather a huge number of toys for the children at the hospital.
Vice President April Barnes played a crucial role in coordinating this effort, working tirelessly to make collection boxes, transport the gifts, and even storing them at her own home. Without her dedication and the support of the entire Blaze of Hope team of volunteers, this toy drive would not have been possible. Over the weekend the toys were delivered to the All Children's Hospital, bringing joy and cheer to the children who are spending this holiday season in the hospital. Blaze of Hope would like to thank all of their supporters and volunteers for making this toy drive a success, and for bringing hope and happiness to the children at All Children's Hospital. Blaze of Hope was founded when Lisa Moore's (part of Sarasota's LGBTQ community) son Blaze was diagnosed with liver cancer at 7 months old. This was the hardest time of her life by far. Blaze endured aggressive chemotherapy and multiple surgeries. Sadly, Blaze passed away at 13 months old. That experience has driven her whole life from that point forward. Her dream is to honor her son. "Blaze of Hope" is a 501c3 non-profit organization in which a family can fill out an application for financial assistance when they have a child hospitalized with a life threatening medical condition.  On January 9th, 2023, Kirsten Sponseller's weekly vlog "What's Up! Sarasota" will make it's television debut on local news station ABC 7. The vlog, which has been edited and posted on Facebook by Kirsten herself for the past several years, features local events and happenings around Sarasota.
The new reinvention of the show is highly anticipated by Sarasota residents, many of whom have been following "What's Up! Sarasota" online for years. The move to television allows the show to reach an even wider audience, bringing the latest happenings in the city to a larger group of viewers. Kirsten has been praised for her dedication to showcasing the local community and promoting events in the area including many LGBTQ-friendly events. The success of "What's Up! Sarasota" is a testament to her hard work and commitment to staying connected with her community. We congratulate Kirsten on the television debut of "What's Up! Sarasota" and look forward to seeing the show on tv in the future.  On December 17th, 2022 Blvd Cafe celebrated it's one-year anniversary. Owner, Mica England celebrated with a full house of customers at Blvd Cafe in the Rosemary District of Sarasota, Florida. The celebration included musical performances by Brenda Watty and TJ on keyboard. In a statement, Chef Mica said, "Thanks to all of our loyal customers for helping us celebrate. I hope to see more of your happy faces in the future. All of your support is so appreciated." Located at 1580 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236, Blvd Cafe is a gourmet coffee and espresso shop that also offers pastries, breakfast, brunch, lunch, and wines and beer. In addition to being women-owned, the cafe is also LGBTQ+ owned by Chef Mica. Customers can visit the cafe's website, Blvdcafesrq.com, to learn more about the menu and upcoming events. The celebration of the one-year anniversary of Blvd Cafe is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Chef Mica and her team. We wish them continued success in the future.  G2H2, the Gay Group Happy Hour in Sarasota, Florida, recently held a holiday happy hour event and collected toys for Streets of Paradise.
Held at the popular Meadows Country Club, the event was a chance for members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies to come together, socialize, and celebrate the holiday season. In the spirit of giving, G2H2 also organized a toy drive to benefit Streets of Paradise, a local non-profit organization that provides support and resources to homeless individuals and families in the Sarasota area. The holiday happy hour and toy drive was a great success, with a large turnout and many toys were collected. G2H2 members and attendees expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to give back to the community and make a difference in the lives of those in need. Overall, the holiday happy hour was a fun and festive event that brought joy to the LGBTQ+ community and helped make a positive impact in the lives of those in need. G2H2 is committed to continuing to support and give back to the Sarasota community, and is already planning its next event. CLICK HERE to view photos from December's Gay Group Happy Hour.  The Fabulous Arts Foundation in Sarasota, Florida is on a mission to establish a LGBTQ performing arts center in the community. This organization, which was founded in 2010, is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion through the arts, and has already made significant strides in achieving this goal. The Fabulous Arts Foundation has held numerous events and workshops in the Sarasota area, including dance classes, theater performances, and film screenings. These events have been well-received by the community, and have served as a way for LGBTQ individuals to express themselves and share their talents with others. Now, the Fabulous Arts Foundation is seeking a location to open a permanent performing arts center that will be dedicated to the LGBTQ community. This center will provide a safe and welcoming space for artists to create, perform, and connect with one another. It will also serve as a hub for the local LGBTQ community, offering a variety of events and programming that cater to the unique needs and interests of this population  The Fabulous Arts Foundation is currently working with local officials and real estate agents to find a suitable location for the center. They are seeking a space that is large enough to accommodate a variety of performances, and that is easily accessible to the community. The establishment of a LGBTQ performing arts center in Sarasota would be a significant milestone for the community, and would provide a much-needed resource for LGBTQ artists and audience members. The Fabulous Arts Foundation is committed to making this dream a reality, and is confident that with the support of the community, they will be able to open the doors to their new center in the near future.
 Mellow Mushroom Sarasota has sponsored a Giving Tree with gift tags for children and their families who could use some help this year! The tree supports the great work being done by Hope 4 Communities and Bee Ridge Presbyterian Church! Visit Mellow Mushroom for lunch or dinner, pick up a tag, shop for the gift item, and return the unwrapped gift to the restaurant and place it under the tree. Living in poverty can affect a child’s ability to learn, grow and realize a future of hope. Children right here in our community lack the basics that kids need to focus and strive in the classroom, leading to lifelong struggles. Your support can make a difference! CLICK HERE for more information on Mellow Mushroom.
 ROGER CAPOTE IS CAN Community Health’s senior vice president and chief communications officer. As the country’s second largest HIV/AIDS healthcare organization, CAN has established that excellent healthcare starts with a foundation of inclusion, compassion and respect for all communities regardless of race, color, gender, creed, personal beliefs, national origin, age, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or the ability to pay. Roger has been with CAN for almost five years and was hired as the chief advancement officer. He has since been promoted and has had his role expanded due to his executive acumen, contribution and ability, and is currently responsible for leading the communications, community engagement, marketing, social media, prevention and outreach departments... |
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