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[ASK the Advocate] Maintaining your housing during COVID-19

Join FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic for an opportunity to ask questions and engage with professionals serving the trans/non-binary community. Topic: Maintaining your housing during COVID-19  Having trouble finding or affording your housing? Learn about how to use assistance programs that can help with rent, mortgage, utility expenses, and more. We’ll also talk about new protections during the COVID-19 period. Presenter: Shelley Gregory (they/them or any pronouns) Shelley is a trans human, activist, and advocate, and the Strategic Project Coordinator for FORGE. Shelley has worked actively in the LGBTQI+ community for over 25 years and began to focus their work on advocacy for transgender and non-binary folx nearly two decades ago. Their background is as a civil rights lawyer. Shelley continually aims to contribute to improving quality of life for trans and non-binary individuals and increasing our inclusion in society. Shelley presently assists survivors of violence through individual […]

[CONNECT] Writing It OUT Workshop

Join FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic for supportive social connection.   Topic: Writing Workshop Feelings are running high these days.  Many of us are frustrated, angry, sad. Some of us are tapped into feelings of hopelessness and unrest with the state of the world.  (Some of us might also be able to take moments where we can experience the beauty of the early summer.)  Where ever you are -- whatever you are feeling -- join us for a time to express yourself and share with others.   Zoom link https://forge-forward.zoom.us/j/93807793136 Use computer audio or dial in: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) Meeting ID: 938 0779 3136 . About CONNECT Structured events: CONNECT groups will meet three times each week with a different focus for each session. Wednesdays from 4:00 – 5:30pm are structured events, with speakers, writing sessions, book readings, […]

[CONNECT] Tangible care strategies

Join FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic for supportive social connection.   This week’s topic: Tangible care strategies to cope with the tangible impact of the current state of the world Are you feeling a little worn out?  Triggered by the loud noises or police presence in your neighborhood?  Not able to sleep at night?  Worried about your friends and family?  Join this loosely facilitated discussion that will focus on tangible strategies to help cope with intense emotions – as well as help you help those in your life who might be having a tough time.   Zoom link https://forge-forward.zoom.us/j/92202416635 Use computer audio or dial in: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) Meeting ID: 922 0241 6635 All groups are trans and queer led.   CONNECT CHAT is facilitated by michael munson. michael is as an out trans-masculine femme. He embraces many […]

[CONNECT] Grounding and meditation

Join FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic for supportive social connection. Grounding and meditation In the midst of upheaval and unrest, it is all the more important to find moments of quiet and calm, where we can re-ground our bodies, minds and spirits.  This event will gently guide participants through some exercises to center and ground and refresh our souls. All groups are trans and queer led. The facilitator for this event is Matthew Lewis, a Black Queer poet, community health promoter, and unapologetic Aquarius.  He has a bachelor’s degree in English-Creative Writing and Gender Studies from the UW-Madison.  He currently works as a Clinical Program Coordinator for the Medical College of Wisconsin. Matthew has strong passions for storytelling, R&B music, and Food Network TV. . About CONNECT Play with Pals events: CONNECT groups will meet three times each week with a different focus for each session. Friday’s from […]

[ASK] Who in the world is…!? Sharing about FORGE and Inclusion Health Clinic’s services

Join FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic for an opportunity to ask questions and engage with professionals serving the trans/non-binary community. Who in the world…!? Sharing about FORGE and Inclusion Health Clinic’s services Do you wonder what services are available at FORGE?  Or from Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin’s, Inclusion Health Clinic?  This session will share brief overviews of what you can access (and how), and leave plenty of time for your questions. . About ASK events: ASK the Expert events are open periods of regularly scheduled time (Tuesdays from 6-7:00pm and Saturdays from 1-2:00pm) where you can ask questions to health care providers, mental health professionals, social workers, advocates, and lawyers. Initiated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, questions and topics discussed may focus on medical issues, mental health concerns, coping skills, access to public benefits, links to resources, where and how to access support. Each […]

[CONNECT] Speak OUT! An Activism and Heart Slam

Join FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic for supportive social connection. Topic: Speak OUT! An Activism and Heart Slam The world feels heavy for many of us these past weeks.  COVID-19.  Police Violence. Racism. We might be holding fire in our bellies or pain in our hearts.  Join with us in holding space for these and other emotions.  Bring a piece of writing (or music) to share.  It can be your own or someone who has inspired you, who has made a difference (big or small).  Perhaps you are moved by authors and speakers like: Bayard Rustin, Angela Davis, Audre Lorde, James Baldwin, or Tarana Burke.  Maybe you feel stirred by Laverne Cox, Monica Roberts, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, Sylvia Rivera, ALOK Vaid-Menon, Cecelia Chung, Andrea Jenkins, Bamby Salcedo, Diego Sanchez, CeCe McDonald, Carter Brown, or Chase Strangio.  Or perhaps you revel in the words and works of Ignacio Rivera, […]

[CONNECT] Staying safe out there! At home and on the streets.

Join FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic for a structured discussion and connection. Topic:  Staying safe out there! At home and on the streets Description: As we navigate new (as well as familiar) situations and environments, it’s important to review how we can stay safer in our day to day lives. We might be at home more these days, possibly with people who are less supportive (or even abusive). We might be out protesting and rallying, and unsure how we can negotiate our advocacy efforts and stay physically healthy. We’ll have a guided discussion about multiple ways we can stay safer in our lives – with ourselves, with our loved ones/close contacts, and with the broader world. Zoom link https://forge-forward.zoom.us/j/91724031602 Use computer audio or dial in: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) Meeting ID: 917 2403 1602 All groups are trans and […]

[CONNECT] Meditation and Grounding

Join FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic for supportive connection. Meditation and Grounding Description: In the midst of upheaval and unrest, it is all the more important to find moments of quiet and calm, where we can re-ground our bodies, minds and spirits. This event will gently guide participants through some exercises to center and ground and refresh our souls. All groups are trans and queer led. The facilitator for this event is Matthew Lewis, a Black Queer poet, community health promoter, and unapologetic Aquarius. He has a bachelor’s degree in English-Creative Writing and Gender Studies from the UW-Madison. He currently works as a Clinical Program Coordinator for the Medical College of Wisconsin. Matthew has strong passions for storytelling, R&B music, and Food Network TV. . About CONNECT events: CONNECT groups will meet three times each week with a different focus for each session. Friday’s from 4:00 – 5:30pm […]

[ASK] The ins and outs of Wisconsin name & gender change

Join FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic for an opportunity to ask questions and engage with professionals serving the trans/non-binary community. The ins and outs of name & gender change From state IDs, birth certificates, social security and passports to . . . health insurance, bank accounts and more. Come learn more about the process of changing your identity documents in Wisconsin. We’ll discuss court-ordered changes, government-issued IDs, and insurance and other records of your identity. Please bring your questions! . About ASK events: ASK the Expert events are open periods of regularly scheduled time (Tuesdays from 6-7:00pm and Saturdays from 1-2:00pm) where you can ask questions to health care providers, mental health professionals, social workers, advocates, and lawyers. Initiated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, questions and topics discussed may focus on medical issues, mental health concerns, coping skills, access to public benefits, links to resources, where and […]

[ASK] Smoke, Eat, Move: A harm reduction approach to real people in real bodies

Join FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic for an opportunity to ask questions and engage with professionals serving the trans/non-binary community. TOPIC: Smoke, Eat, Move: A harm reduction approach to real people in real bodies Description: In the middle of a pandemic, is now the time to stop smoking and start exercising? This session will share information about how to navigate making health-related changes and lowering health risks. A focus will be on promoting health from a realistic, practical, and human lens. Presenter: Annie Lakatos Annie Lakatos has been a nurse practitioner since 2009 and works at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin in the Inclusion Health Clinic and the General Internal Medicine Clinic. She provides primary care, hormone replacement therapy and PrEP alongside preventive care and education. She is passionate about making each patient feel welcome and creating a space that is supportive and health-promoting for her patients. […]