March 2024 Newsletter

Hello Trans qathet Community, Allies, and Supporters!

Trans qathet Drop-in:

Unit #27-7100 Alberni st., in Town Centre Mall, between Shoppers & Subway

Tuesdays 12pm-3:00pm

Wednesdays 10am-2pm

Thursdays 2pm-5pm

NOTE: Office Closure for Staff Training week of March 5th-7th

Drop in for a social visit, a cup of tea, or to make use of the expanded resources and activities at our office. We provide WiFi, computers, printer and scanner, gender-affirming garments, clothes closet, a gender neutral washroom that is wheelchair accessible, a quiet room, books, tea and coffee, coloring books, board & card games, art & craft supplies, pronoun pins, flags, and more! 

Announcements

Trans Day of Visibility BEACH FIRE!!

Date and Time: Sunday March 31 5:00pm-9:00pm

Please contact us for an invite!

We are having a beach fire to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility; come out and meet your community! We will provide the fire, lights, music and snacks; bring a chair and non-breakable mug if you can. Allies, friends and family welcome. This is an all ages event. 

Free Groceries

We are incredibly grateful to Volunteer Powell River and the Nook for coordinating fresh food donations every Tuesday, and stocking the fridge every week. We want to encourage anyone at risk of food insecurity to come by and shop in our fridge and pantry! Every week there is a variety of different fresh vegetables, fruit, bread and meat. We can also coordinate delivery if coming in to pick up groceries is a barrier to access. 

Mapping Project - Input needed!

We have just launched a local resource map on our website, where we have begun to map out trans-inclusive resources and amenities such as gender-neutral washrooms. A prototype is available to view and interact with at transqathet.ca/map There is also a form for community-submitted reviews. For now we are looking for: trans-friendly spaces, safe spaces, and gender-neutral washrooms or facilities. Please help us grow this project, so others can use this resource! 

March Tq Events:

Climbing Gym Event!

Top Out Climbing Co-op in Townsite

Date & Time: Sunday, March 17, Please message or call for the time! 

We had so much fun at our first climbing event, we’re going to try it out again! There will be an instructor present for our session, who will teach us the ropes. Come out and try it out, even if you’re brand new to climbing - or just want to watch! Message us if you require transportation to or from the event.

Crafternoon

Tq Mall Office

Date & Time: Wednesday, March 20, 3:00pm-7:00pm

Drop by for a casual evening of watching a movie and crafting together. Bring your own craft, or projects to share with others, or check out our selection of donated craft supplies. Transportation can be provided to and from this event, contact us for a ride.

Games & Hang Out

Tq Mall Office

Date & Time: Wednesday, March 27th, 3:00pm-7:00pm

Join us for a diverse range of games suitable for everyone. We'll have a nintendo set up, as well as board games, card games, and puzzles in a relaxed atmosphere. 

Feel free to bring snacks to share! Transportation can be provided to and from this event, contact us for a ride.

Other Local Events:

Foundry is coming to qathet! 

Visit www.foundrybc.ca to learn more about Foundry. 

Upcoming community engagement events: 

For Everyone: March 8th, Oceanview Education Centre (7105 Nootka St.), 5pm-7pm. Refreshments provided, drop in anytime to provide input that will shape Foundry in qathet. 

For Youth(Ages 12-24): March 15, Strikers Bowling, 6pm-9pm. Food and beverages provided.

Lift 80s Dance Night & Fundraiser for the Powell River Food Bank

Saturday, March 9, 2024 - doors at 7:00 pm, DJ on at 8:00 pm

ARC Community Event Centre, 7055 Alberni St.

Details: The Stunt Man (DJ), cash bar, photo booth, 50/50 raffle, silent auction

Tickets: www.liftdanceparty.eventbrite.com 

Join Lift Community Services to celebrate our organization’s 40th anniversary and raise funds to support the Powell River Food Bank, which needs our community’s support more than ever.

Trans qathet can provide FREE tickets - message us for a promo code! 

Other Resources

An excellent resource for an in-depth presentation on why pronouns matter, how to share them and correct mistakes: https://pronouns.org/what-and-why 

QMUNITY Gender and ID Clinic:

Access notarial, administrative, and emotional support for name and gender marker change processes. Drop in virtually on the first Wednesday and third Friday of each month, 4pm-6pm. For appointments, email transid@qmunity.ca or call Connie at 604-868-4238.

Trans Lifeline:

Call (877) 330-6366 for peer support by trans individuals for trans peers. Call for non-crisis situations or if unsure about your identity. Full anonymity & confidentiality; no nonconsensual active rescue.

Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention:

Call toll-free at (1-800-784-2433) for confidential, non-judgmental emotional support, available 24/7 for individuals experiencing distress or despair.

Mental Health Support:

For emotional support, information, and mental health resources, call 310-6789 (no area code needed).

Trans Rights BC:

Visit www.transrightsbc.ca  for resources addressing legal rights commonly faced by trans and gender-diverse people.

Trans Care BC:

Toll-free: 1-866-999-1514

Outside of BC or unable to call a toll-free number: 604-675-3647

Email: transcareteam@phsa.ca