COVID-19 note
Since the first week of March 2020, when concerns for community safety became evident to us, we've shifted all our work online for this phase of the pandemic. A year and a half later we're carefully exploring how to phase in-person programming back in a way that's as safe as can be for our most vulnerable.
Meanwhile, the descriptions below offer a portrait of the work we're either doing online in virtual groups, or planning to bring back in a safe way in person. As always, check our calendar to find out what's in store this month.
Questions? Please reach out to staff at familyprograms@ourfamily.org.
Support groups
WHAT:
Our peer support groups meet on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis, and provide opportunities for LGBTQ+ parents, caregivers, and prospective parents to meet, explore shared concerns, and lend one another a sympathetic ear in a safe space which centers their experience.
Some are peer-facilitated, some are facilitated by experienced OFC staff, and some are facilitated by therapists from the community. All offer an informed space for community members to strengthen their networks of support, build resilience, and become connected to valuable community resources.
WHERE:
We hold support groups at our San Francisco and Oakland spaces, as well as at partner locations (in past years we've met in such places as Habitot in Berkeley, Bananas in Oakland, and in San Francisco the Children's Council and the Children's Creativity Museum).
Check out the support groups available this month:
Prospective & Expectant
Parent Support Group
All prospective and expectant LGBTQ+ identified parents. This group provides opportunities for people to meet and network with fellow LGBTQ+ prospective and expectant parents on the often long, complicated, trying (and ultimately rewarding) journey of queer family-building.
Queer & Trans BIPOC
Parent Support Group
A group by and for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color parents, co-parents, and caregivers who identify as queer, trans, &/or same gender-loving people. Issues and ages of kids range widely, brought to the group each time by participants, but the baseline is a space where we BIPOC families are centered.
Trans & Gender Nonconforming
Parent Support Group
All trans and gender nonconforming parents, prospective parents, and co-parents connect and share what's on their minds. From the workplace to trans activism, transition to temper tantrums, discuss whatever you'd like to in a safe space with friendly, supportive people. Newcomers welcome! Attendance is free. Refreshments provided. Child care provided upon request.
Biweekly Community Drop-In
Support Group
All LGBTQ+ identified parents and caregivers connect and share what's on their minds in an informal, drop-in group. Issues addressed vary based on what community members bring, but the focus is always on how we can support one another as we do what we can to help our families thrive.
Playgroups
WHAT:
Our playgroups offer developmentally-enriching and fun opportunities for parents and children to interact, in spaces where our families are centered and celebrated.
We organize them by age of child, often running special multi-week educational opportunities within the group (such as Infant Massage, Music and Movement, and more).
WHERE:
We hold them at our SF and Oakland spaces, as well as in area parks. Group field trips – to fire stations, urban farms, or Fairyland – extend the social space into the community at large.
Baby & Me Parent-Infant Playgroup
Ages 0-18 months. Join us for this fun interactive group for LGBTQ+ parents/caregivers, allies and their infants. Parents and caregivers build community while strengthening their children’s psycho-social development and their parent-child bonds.
Toddle with Me Music & Movement
Ages 18 mo. - 5 yrs. Songs, dances, stories and more: kids shake the sillies out and sweep the boredom away, whilst strengthening gross motor development and social-emotional learning. Their adults deepen bonds with their children and establish vital connections to community.
On hiatus
Rainbow Family Night @ Habitot:
on hiatus
Ages 0-5. Kids have a great time romping around under careful supervision at the Habitot Children’s Museum, while parents and caregivers socialize and discuss their lives as LGBTQ+ families in a private room nearby.
Parent Advisory Council
on hiatus
A monthly meeting of parents and caregivers interested in shaping the direction of OFC's programming and efforts.