www.PrideCenterFlorida.org Fall 2012
VOICE
Did you know? +Our Cyber Center provided free internet and computer access to more than 4,000 logged users over the past three months.
Suicide Prevention Seminar
+HotSpots Holiday Celebration on December 4 will benefit the Pride Center and Broward House.
Over 175 people attended “To Be Or Not To Be: Turning on the light in the darkest hour” with the Pride Center, Living Rainbow, Florida Institute for Suicide Prevention and Cohen Counseling. Suicide continues to be a very serious problem within the LGBT community, and the incidence of suicide and suicidal ideation is statistically much higher in our community than in the general population.
Garden Club Connects Plant Lovers O
nce a month, visitors to the Pride Center might feel they’ve stumbled into a tropical jungle. Bromeliads, orchids, vegetables and palms fill the main hall. The Equality Park Garden Club works to provide information and education on a variety of horticultural topics relating to South Florida Gardening and to support the proposed waterfront garden at the Pride
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+Over 162,000 children will benefit from our “Stuff the Bus” efforts to provide school supplies for local children. The community collected more than $45,000 of supplies.
+We will host “So Where Do I Start?” a Face 2 Face conversation on transitioning on Friday, November 30 at 7 p.m. We will host a panel of local trans community members, mental health and medical providers.
Center’s Equality Park campus. Outstanding local speakers address topics on landscaping, herbs, various fruit, medicinal and other tropical plants that can be grown in Zone 10. Fall topics include: Landscaping with Bromeliads in the Urban Garden; Butterfly Gardening; and Decorating for the Holidays using materials from the garden. “The Garden Club was important to me originally as a vehicle to help improve the grounds for the Pride Center, an organization that I think very highly of,” says group member Paul. “However, the Club has expanded to an organization with monthly meetings where I can meet and talk with other gardeners in the area and get ideas and feedback. I particularly like the monthly plant swap, since I enjoy starting plants from cuttings and nurturing them until they are ready to go in the ground.” The Garden Club originated in April 2010 with a few interested people. The club has grown substantially with 40 to 50 plant enthusiasts who attend each meeting. “Gardening is a form of therapy for me,” says group member Arthur. “I learn
something and expand my horizons every time I attend and hear an interesting speaker.” South Florida gardening is unique, and people want to learn more about tropical gardening. Members are encouraged to ask each other questions at the meetings. Questions may relate to specific plants, fertilizers to use or plant pests (such as white fly). A favorite activity among members is an annual bus ramble to various South Florida nurseries. “It gives me a burst of positive energy to be with others who share my interests,” says another frequent participant. Meetings are free and held the third Wednesday of each month at The Pride Center. Individual and household memberships are available at $20 to $25 annually. Contact: Canick@aol.com. On March 16, 2013, The Pride Center will host its first Tropical Plant Fair with the Garden Club. For more information, contact Samantha McCoy at SMcCoy@PrideCenterFlorida.org