SPIRIT Place: Enriched Independent Living For Seniors by Valerie Windsor the GLBTI community in the plan- - 65 units in an enriched independent here is good news for seniors ning and hope that GLBTI seniors living atmosphere along with a new living in Halifax. St. John’s will choose to live there. They have church and space for community TUnited Church is planning researched the needs of our com- and non-profit groups to share. With to build an “enriched” independ- munity, consulted local organizations members of the local community ent living residence for seniors including NSRAP and recognize the sharing space, the hope is that people welcoming the GLBTI community. homophobia and invisibility of gay of all ages will be able to mingle. The Louisa Horne, board member for seniors in traditional senior housing. new facility will also allow St. John’s SPIRIT Place says, “The congrega- SPIRIT Place will be gay-friendly to continue with their outreach pro- tion of St. John’s United Church has and welcoming as a safe place to live, grams, including a breakfast program been very busy for the past several gather and worship. for children in the area. years re-visioning the future of their St. John’s United welcomes LG- Located in the heart of the pe- church and the needs of the sur- BTI membership and has been an ninsula, SPIRIT Place hopes to fill a rounding community.” In recognizing affirming church for several years, gap for the needs of a diverse senior the diversity of the neighbourhood performing same sex marriages and population. Studies have shown that and in particular the needs of sen- baptisms. You might recall that Safe there is a limited understanding by iors for affordable housing, they are Harbour MCC Halifax used St. John’s service providers in of Artist’s rendering of proposed complex, reproduced without permission from the website. planning a new complex to replace facilities for the annual Christmas din- the needs and experiences of gay the current building on the corner ner for many years. With the new de- and lesbian seniors. There are also the senior’s residence and provide ac- the planning.” Saint Vincent’s under- of Windsor and Willow Streets. This sign, the church will be facing Willow issues of race and poverty that may cess to a progressive level of seniors stands the needs of an aging popula- new facility will be called SPIRIT Street with the seven story senior’s complicate life for many. care services for tenants at SPIRIT tion and will provide programs and Place. residence fronting on Windsor Street. Saint Vincent’s Nursing Home has Place. Horne says, “The Board of services to help keep seniors inde- The exciting news for our commu- The intent is that SPIRIT Place signed a Memorandum of Under- Directors at Saint Vincent’s has been nity is that SPIRIT Place has included will be a mixed use complex with 60 standing to administer all aspects of very enthusiastic and helpful with Cont’d next page

Creating Art, Creating Change: Make It Better Now by Costa Kasimos Correction The October cover page im- he media’s focus on recent Camp Eclipse: OUT in the Woods, this province enjoy the same positive by doing their best to... embrace the plied that 2010 was the first year tragic incidences is bringing our LBGTQ Youth Group, and life experiences as everyone else. This diversity of all peoples regardless that Corner Brook, NL had a Tattention to the troubles LB- “Making Queerness Visible” student is especially true within the school of... gender, sexual orientation....” Gay Pride event. In fact, Corner GTQ youth face on a daily basis. By workshop, Planned Parenthood is system. While having this policy in place is a Brook’s first Pride was held in comparison to other youth, LBGTQ empowering youth to create positive During a recent LBGTQ Youth positive step, the youth wanted to en- August 2009, which makes 2010 youth are more likely to have lower change across Newfoundland and Group event, youth shared