news and events

Transgender Days of Learning: August 5th, 12th, 19th, & 26th

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Buddies of NJ, Inc. is proud to invite you to the NJ-HPG’s

1:30 to 3PM Sign On Link for Anyone of Interest:  https://Rutgers.webex.com/meet/quincyb

Transgender Days of Learning

Transgender Days of Learning event begins in August of this year. Hosted by Christian Mendez-Baez of EDGE New Jersey and Domonique Noel of the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, this event will feature a virtual program on transgender health every Wednesday from 1:30 to 3:00 pm from Wednesday, August 5, 2020 to Wednesday, August 26, 2020. The speakers and co-facilitators will talk about HIV in the transgender community, trans and gender nonconforming (TGNC) terminology, social issues affecting the TGNC community, and cancer disparities and prevention in the trans community. There will also be a transgender issues panel on the last Wednesday of this event, during which panelists will discuss their experiences navigating healthcare, HIV prevention, finding support during COVID. This will be followed by a mental health discussion led by Johann Larkin, behavioral health counselor at EDGE New Jersey.

Thank you so much for attending our final program of the Transgender Days of Learning conference yesterday and making our Transgender Issues Panel and Mental Health Discussion a huge success! A special thanks to all of our panelists for sharing their perspectives on navigating healthcare, COVID and finding social support and to Johann Larkin of Edge New Jersey for discussing mental health in the trans community.
If you would like to reach out to any of our panelists, here are their names and contact information. Their photos and bios are listed in the attached program brochure.
For information on mental health resources for the transgender community, please see the information below:
 
Trans Lifeline
  • provides support for trans people by trans people
  • call 1 (877) 565-8860
The LGBT National Hotline
  • providers peer support and local resources
  • call 1 (888) 843-4564
Text TALK to 741741
  • text with a trained counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Please complete the evaluation survey for yesterday’s program, if you have not done so already, using this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3FDN3QN 

As soon as all of the recordings from all four programs are uploaded onto the NJHPG website, you will be sent an email with a link to all of the recordings.

 

If you are interested in becoming a member of the New Jersey HIV Planning Group (NJHPG), please visit this site for more information: https://hiv.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/NJHPG-Membership-Application-2019.pdf

We appreciated everyone’s participation and engagement during the session, and we look forward to seeing you at the upcoming Gay Men’s Awareness Days event. Please share the event flyer using the hashtag #NJGMAD2020

CLOSED: State of Emergency

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Buddies of NJ is cooperation with NJ State & Local Authorities has closed the office today, August 4th.   You may leave email or phone messages; please do not expect a return until the next full day of business.  If you have a physical or health emergency… please call 911 and ask for assistance.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 174

Online Shopping with a SMILE

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ABOUT amazonsmile

What is AmazonSmile?

Shopping online comes easier for some more than others.   I am more apt. to do so if I know I can also help Buddies with at no additional cost.

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Buddies of NJ, Inc. every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, SELECT  BUDDIES OF NJ INC. as your favorite charity, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Buddies of NJ. 

Make It Easier by clicking the below link this today and all year long, whenever you shop

https://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-2767627

THANK YOU!!!

STAY EDUCATED – with Rutger’s Podcast Recordings

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Health Literacy and Prevention Topics

U=U Live Events July 29th and August 25th:  https://Rutgers.webex.com/meet/quincyb

11AM to 12:30PM

Quincy Bell’s Personal Room

Webinars, Podcasts, and Related Materials
Webinar Recordings
Our New Normal: Coping with COVID-19, Special Guest, Dr. Tony Ortega, Psy. D.

Improving Health Literacy – Part 1

Improving Health Literacy – Part 2

Improving Health Literacy – Part 3

Improving Health Literacy – Part 4

Improving Health Literacy – Part 5

Improving Health Literacy – Part 6

Let’s Talk About Risk – Part 1

Let’s Talk About Risk – Part 2

Let’s Talk About Risk – Part 3

Exploring Biomedical Strategies for HIV Prevention – Part 1 Let’s Talk About PrEP

Podcasts
Podcasts from the California STD/HIV Prevention Training Center
The New Jersey AIDS Drug Distribution Program (ADDP) and Health Insurance Continuation Program (HICP)
Related Materials
National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors: Reaching Them Where They Are. A Guide for Using Online and Social Media to Conduct Sexual Health Outreach with Youth (PDF)
CDC Social Media Tools, Guidelines & Best Practices

Training + JOB… Act Now

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Welding Pre-Apprentice Training

This is your opportunity for a new job/career.  Get paid to train as well.

Heating the surfaces of your hidden skills to the point of melting using a blowtorch of knowledge and experience.  Will mold you into a new woman/man and can solidify your future.

Link to your future: https://form.jotform.com/201957899459176

TONIGHT: Considerations for the Older Patient Population Living with HIV

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YOU are invited to a scheduled Zoom meeting tonight at 7PM

Topic: SELF Support Group 7PM – stay out of the heat and in the a.c.

Buddies of NJ:  patient virtual program

View on Google Calendar

When Mon Jul 20, 2020 7pm – 8:30pm (EDT)
Where ZOOM; https://jnjmeetings.zoom.us/j/97247331770?pwd=Nyt2Z1NoYmV1dDBaNENaUHlRR0tidz09
Who Valentin, Michael [TTTUS]*

TONIGHT we will be using the generated meeting code from: Janssen

Meeting ID 972 4733 1770 / Password 307374

TOPIC:  Considerations for the Older Patient Population Living with HIV  

                       Tentative Topics
       X   Jul 6, 2020 07:00 PM  –  RAP discussion – Let’s hear about y’all.   
     
       X  Jul 13, 2020 07:00 PM –  Show & Tell (Each Participant is invited (not required) to prepare something

                                                  which may be shared in less than   5 minutes + discussion

                                                     share anything that helps improve the life you live… from poetry, to science, building, art, medical WHATEVER…

                                                       Show & Tel in adult style and fashion…

     Jul 20, 2020 07:00 PM – Janssen Presentation Discussion – Michael Valentin
Jul 27, 2020 07:00 PM –  Is there a Gay Normal?

June 27th National HIV Testing Day

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National HIV TESTING DAY

National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) was first observed on June 27, 1995. NHTD is a day to encourage people to get tested for HIV, know their status, and get linked to care and treatment.

THIS YEAR Buddies of NJ, Inc. will be testing literally in our own back yard: 149 Hudson Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601

10am to 12:30pm on, Saturday June 27, 2020.

No appointments necessary… but you may contact us in advance by E-mailing a TEAM MEMBER at testing@njbuddies.org

HAPPY PRIDE

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Buddies of New Jersey, Inc,

IS PROUD

to be allowed to serve everyone in our community and every color of the rainbow…

This bulletin is to honor gay pride month in a time of social distancing. Included are some dates and events that are worth knowing about, some pride activities, educational opportunities, sexual health resources,and recognition of LGBTQIA+ accomplishments.

May we follow the lead of our Founder, Franklin A. Smith who was proud to be able to provide support, services and resources for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS before there was even a penny provided to do so. I am so proud of Frank as well as others, both LGBTQIA+ Persons and Allies, because of the kindness and generosity given so that others may have life and live it with dignity.

 

FROM SUNDAY JUNE 7th

VIRTUAL JERSEY PRIDE EVENT

THE ANNUAL JERSEY PRIDE CELEBRATION

has been moved to October 22nd provided we are able to do so

PRIDE FLAG RAISING | Thursday June 18th

10AM @ the Harrsison House &

2PM @ the Gazebo of the Bergen New Bridge Medical Center

 

Supreme Court finds federal law bars LGBT discrimination in workplace

Two of the court’s Republican appointees joined the court’s

Democratic appointees to deliver the surprising, 6-3 victory to LGBT advocates.

READ MORE

 

 

THE OCEAN GROVE HEALTH RETREAT IS SLATED TO BE CHANGED

and unless we have a safe way to do so in person…

the plan is for VIRTUAL RETREAT October 28th to 31st

ENDING WITH A HALLOWEEN MIXER ON 31st more info. TBA.

CLICK to see if you can be a part of this: HERE

 

Newark Pride planned for July 19

https://newarkpride.org/pride–festival/newark-events/

Jersey City Pride Still Planned for August

https://jerseycitypride.com/

 

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EVENTS, LINKS, ITEMS OF INTEREST

PRIDE MONTH – Right now many organizations are rearranging themselves to change schedules. We had to cancel our annual participation in Jersey Pride next weekend, as well as the Ocean Grove Health Retreat, and other events in the foreseeable future. Event cancellation does not mean we should cancel or postpone LGBTQIA+ Pride in any way, just how we normally celebrate it. So, be creative celebrate this JUNE, GAY PRIDE MONTH as you see fit.

 

30 DAYS OF PRIDE HERE is a brief consideration and 30 DAY GUIDE of how we can all celebrate PRIDE in a different, deep way.

 

FOOD DISTRIBUTION – SATURDAYS JUNE 13th and 27th, in addition to our current schedule, we are making food and essential items available to the first 500 families. ANYONE IN NEED IS WELCOME to come with a NJ State ID or DL, a face mask, and being able to follow social distancing guidelines.

CLICK HERE to view/print flyers in Spanish and English.

 

Let’s Talk About Risks WEBINAR SERIES

Eric Cabrera from Buddies of NJ will be the profession guest speaker

during our highlighted discussion on Stage-based Counseling Strategies.

We’ll see you NEXT Wednesday, June 10th from 11am-12:30pm

 

BLACK LIVES MATTER is a slogan that Buddies of New Jersey embraces and can profess whole hardheartedly! Please stay safe and avoid behavior that can increase the spread of COVID-19 or hurt others as we proudly express this core belief.

 

GAY PRIDE SURVEY – How Do We Celebrate Pride

 

DONAY’S HILLWALKERS – Donay, the salsa instructor from 2019 Kickoff Party for the NJ AIDS WALK, is starting a group of people who will do modified hill-walking at their own pace on Sunday Mornings in Bergen County. For more information, contact: Donay Wilford <donaysfitness4u@gmail.com>

 

GAY PRIDE FUN QUIZZES at quote tv

 

TRANS LIFE – CLICK HERE to find out about groups in your area. PATHWAYS meets at Buddies of NJ when covid restrictions are not in place.

 

VIRTUAL SPEED DATING at SELF SUPPORT GROUP | Monday – June 29th

We will try a virtual speed dating … questions will be fun … but will also help us practice how to discuss difficult topics with a potential partner. SIGN UP HERE

 

HIV COMMUNITIES FEEDING OTHERS IN NEED – Read this article from TheBody Magazine featuring our own Xio Mora-Lopez. CLICK HERE