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Check out the PRIDE issue!
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Yumiko Ikuta From NYC DOHMH Visits Rainbow Heights Club!
As you may know, mental health and substance abuse
services are going through a LOT of changes these
days. Medicaid Managed Care, Health and Recovery Plans
(HARPS), Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), and
health home care managers can be confusing, so we invited
somebody to come explain them all to us!
Luckily, Yumiko Ikuta, the Director of Rehabilitation Services
at the New York City Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene, visited Rainbow Heights Club on Thursday, May 26th,
from 3-4 pm, to do exactly that in her presentation on “Understanding
Changes to Medicaid Behavioral Health Care in New York.” She was
very knowledgeable about all these issues, and she was also wonderfully
patient and able to break these complicated issues down so that we
could all understand them clearly. She is passionately dedicated to
helping consumers understand the many new services and
opportunities that are available to support their recovery. Afterward,
members invited her to stay and have dinner. She was kind enough to
talk individually with members interested in learning more about their
particular eligibility for extended services.
This newsletter is
made possible by the
continued support of
the New York City
Council
Rainbow Heights Club is a
project of Heights-Hill
Mental Health Service-South
Beach Psychiatric Center
Community Advisory Board,
Inc. that provides
psychosocial support and
advocacy services, free of
charge, to lesbian, gay,
bisexual and
transgender mental health
consumers.
R A I N B O W H E I G H T S
C L U B
2 5 F L A T B U S H A V E .
4 T H F L O O R
B R O O K L Y N , N Y 1 1 2 1 7
Yumi (left) listens to Henrietta's (right)
concerns about HARP eligibility.
P A G E 2
Director’s Corner: Candy Stars and Flowers at Rainbow Heights Club -Rebecca Hoffman, LMSW, Director of Member Services and Brian Johnston, MSW Intern
This spring at Rainbow Heights Club, we had the pleasure of hosting two student groups: the third annual
visit of the Japan LGBT Youth Tour and the second annual visit of the George Washington University Alternative
Spring Breaks Program LGBT Group.
Thirteen young people from Japan visited on March 11th.
They participated with Rainbow Heights Club members in a rich
cultural exchange on the similarities and differences between
LGBT life in Japan and LGBT life in different parts of the United
States. One important observation regarded legal protections.
The group discussed that, in the United States, it is sometimes
physically unsafe to be LGBT, as some of our members have
experienced. At the same time, there are laws, such as hate
crime legislation and marriage benefits, which are intended to
provide some protection. In Japan, though, there is a seeming
silence around LGBT issues, and LGBT folks face profound
invisibility. One club member from Staten Island shared about his
recent wedding and noted that he and his husband are two of the few out LGBT people there. Older members at
Rainbow Heights Club and a visitor from GRIOT Circle who stopped by encouraged the young people to “be
themselves” and “follow their hearts.” The whole day was made possible by our own peer specialist Musa
Watanabe, who provided skilled interpretation to both groups. It was a moving day filled with humor and ending on
a sweet note: delicious Japanese candies shaped like stars and flowers, gifts from our guests.
The March 17th visit from George Washington University
college students was another success. Twenty young people received
a tour of the Club and then gathered with Rainbow Heights Club
members in the Community Room. The students initiated get-to-
know-you icebreakers and asked questions about the benefits of the
Club. Member Chris R. shared that, since attending the Club, he has
more self-confidence and ability to speak his mind. There were nods
around the room. Our guest speaker Caitlin Walker, from
Community Healthcare Network, and Jeff Levin, liaison from The
LGBT Center, arrived and facilitated a lively conversation about
sexual abstinence—what it is, why people choose it, and why they don't. It was an open and comfortable conversation about how we
make responsible sexual choices and remarkable because so many of the participants had just met.
During these visits, Rainbow Heights Club members extended gracious hospitality to a group of otherwise
strangers. They communicated their commitment to support LGBT people across the globe. The young people who
were here shared that they found our Club an incredible source of inspiration and felt supported by our members,
who are passionate warriors for social justice. Both visits were huge delights so Rainbow Heights Club looks
forward to next spring, when we hope our friends will return.
Get Out the Vote! -Andrew Belcher, MSW Intern
In the months leading up to the NYC presidential primary, Rainbow Heights Club
launched a “Get Out the Vote” initiative. During this time, 80% of unregistered regular
attending members were registered, and half of those enrolled to serve as poll workers in future
elections. Citizen participation is an empowering, fundamental cornerstone of a democracy and
Rainbow Heights Club is working to educate and elevate the voices of our members. The “Get
Out the Vote” program not only provides access for our members to vote, but also creates
opportunity for work. As local and national elections approach, Rainbow Heights Club will
continue to register, educate, and support members interested in voting.
Japan LGBT Youth Tour visitors
George Washington University students
Rainbow Heights Club members participate in
Dress Your Gender Day.
P A G E 3
Dress Your Gender Day
-Claudia Gonson, MSW Intern
Staff and members had a blast in the Art
Room on April 11th for Rainbow Height Club’s
"Dress Your Gender Day." This popular event
was hosted by peer specialists Daniel Brito and
Musa Watanabe. As Brito stated, "It is an
opportunity for members to express themselves
freely in the gender they identify with. RHC
provides a safe and supportive environment for
members to express their gender identity,
without exclusion or bias." Members helped one
another with makeup tips, hair, and dressing up.
Snacks were provided. Members left feeling
good about being free to be the way they
wanted to be. Much fun was had by all!
Rainbow Heights Club Pride Guide
Queens Pride!
Sunday, June 5th, starting at 12 pm
Queens Pride will start at 37th Ave and 89th St.
(This is not scheduled as a Rainbow Heights Club Trip but for your information.)
Brooklyn Pride!
Saturday, June 11th, 7 pm
We will be marching in the Brooklyn Pride Twilight Parade. We will gather at
6:30 pm in front of OMNI Beauty Salon at 152 5th Avenue, between Douglass St. and
Degraw St., in Park Slope. You can take the 2, 3 or 4 train to Bergen St., B or Q train
to 7th Ave., or the R train to Union St.
Rainbow Heights Club Annual Open House Pride Party
June 24th from 3 - 7 pm
Come dance the afternoon away! Dinner will be served at 5 pm.
Dyke March Trip
Saturday, June 25th
Claudia will be hosting an RHC trip to the Dyke March. Meet at 4 pm in front of the
Club. The Dyke March starts at 5 pm at 42nd St. and 5th Ave. in Manhattan.
NYC Pride March
Sunday, June 26th
View the NYC Pride March with us from 12 - 3 pm. We will meet in Manhattan on
the southeast corner of 5th Ave. and E. 33rd St. (diagonal to the Empire State
Building). It’s the same place as last year. *Suggestion: take the 6 train to 33rd St, on
the east side. There can be a long wait to cross 5th Ave from the west side. We will
stand in the shade of scaffolding to keep cool. We’ll wear our Rainbow Heights Club
t-shirts, hold our banner high, and hand out literature. Lunch provided.
If you are a Brooklynite, or just prefer to meet at a familiar spot, meet in front of the
Club at 11:30 am and we’ll travel to Manhattan together.
Club Closed on Monday, June 27th
PRIDEFEST
Saturday, July 9th, 12 – 3 pm
The Annual Staten Island PRIDEFEST Community Picnic will be at Midland Beach -
Area #1 (This is not scheduled as a Rainbow Heights Club Trip but for your information.)
Rainbow Heights Club members participate in
Dress Your Gender Day.
Above/Below: RHC Spring Fling
Left: Today,
New York City.
Tomorrow, the
world! Members and
staff completed this
beautiful mural
together.
Above/Right: RHC members sought
strikes during a bowling trip.
RHC Brooklyn Botanic Gardens Trip
RHC Spring
Photo Recap
P A G E 4
June
Guest Speaker Mark Salzwedel
Thursday, June 2nd, 3 pm
Mark will present "The Art of Engagement:
What Behaviors Attract People.” Learn how
to control the outcome of an interaction
through body posture and position, eyes,
vocal tone, gestures, and the content of
what you say.
Guest Speaker on Happiness
Thursday, June 9th, 3 pm
Christian Huygen will speak to us on “How
to Build Habits of Happiness and
Confidence.” He will share two Ted Talks,
followed by a discussion.
June is Survey Month!
Starting Tuesday, June 7th until June 30th,
members can come to the Club any day
from 12:30-3:30 pm to take a consumer
survey and receive a $5 dollar incentive for
their time and effort.
Consumer Advisory Board
Friday, June 10th, 3 pm
Please come and share your ideas and input!
Reproductive Health Workshop Series
Thursday, June 16th, 3 pm
Health Educator Caitlin Walker from
Community Health Care Network and Jeff
Levin from the LGBT Center will present an
interactive workshop on “Is Your
Relationship Healthy?”
Guest Speaker Moses Harper
Thursday, June 23rd, 3 pm
Moses Harper is a dance instructor/Michael
Jackson tribute artist/author/mentor and
motivational speaker. Join us as Moses
shares “I Can’t,” a motivational talk on
achieving your goals and overcoming
obstacles.
Rainbow Heights Club Pride Party
Friday, June 24th, 3 – 7 pm
Come dance the afternoon away. Dinner
will be served at 5 pm. All are welcome.
Dyke March Trip
Saturday, June 25th
Claudia will be organizing this RHC trip.
Meet at 4 pm in front of the Club. The Dyke
March starts at 5 pm at 42nd Street and 5th
Ave, Manhattan.
NYC Pride March
Sunday, June 26th
View the parade with us from 12 – 3
pm. We will meet in Manhattan on the
southeast corner of 5th Avenue and East 33rd
Street (diagonal to the Empire State
Building), the same meeting place as last
year.
Club Closed!
Monday, June 27th
Happy Pride Weekend!
Guest Speaker on Employment
Programs
Thursday, June 30th, 3 pm
Guest Speaker Nicolas Rosa from Center
for Behavioral Health will speak about the
Assisted Competitive Employment Program,
which helps participants find employment
and create a better financial future.
July Club Closed!
Monday, July 4th
Rainbow Heights Club is closed for
Independence Day.
Consumer Advisory Board
Friday, July 8th, 3 pm
Please come and share your ideas and input!
Reproductive Health Workshop Series
Thursday, July 21st, 3 pm
Health Educator Caitlin Walker from
Community Health Care Network and Jeff
Levin from the LGBT Center will do an
interactive workshop on “Sexual
Orientation.”
July Birthday Celebration
Friday, July 29th, 4 pm
August
Consumer Advisory Board
Friday, August 12th, 3 pm
Please come and share your ideas and input!
August Birthday Celebration
Friday, August 26th, 4 pm
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