October 2022 Newsletter
To our Kaleidoscope community,
We hope you and your families have had a great back to school season. As we soon head into the autumn and winter holidays, Kaleidoscope is really excited to offer our next in person Halloween Party, as well as our regular monthly offerings! As always, we appreciate your continued financial support, and you can help us to keep these programs going by donating here.
In this month’s blogpost, our Program Coordinator, Leo Kirkham, shares their personal coming out journey and reflects on how we can support and affirm people in the LGBTQ+ community throughout the nuanced process of coming out throughout life.
Lastly, we invite you to follow us on social media and keep current on our clubs and groups meetings as well as special events. Please comment, share, and tag your friends, as we celebrate all things LGBTQIA+ on Instagram @kaleidoscopelgbtq, and follow us on Facebook at KaleidoscopeLGBTQ.
Wishing you a wonderful end of summer and beginning of autumn!
-The Kaleidoscope Team
Jeri Rochman, JD, MS
Program Director
She/Her/Hers
jrochman@thehelpgroup.org
Laurie Stephens, Ph.D. PSY 18520
Sr. Director, Autism & LGBTQ+ Programs
She/Her/Hers
lstephens@thehelpgroup.org
Joselyn Valle, PsyD
LGBTQIA+ Psychologist
She/Her/Ella
jovalle@thehelpgroup.org
Jay Baldwin
Program Navigator
They/Them
jbaldwin@thehelpgroup.org
* For general inquiries, contact us at kaleidoscope@thehelpgroup.org
Coming out is a journey, not a destination. There is rarely one single moment in a person’s life where they come out, but rather, a series of choices every single day about whether to come out to the random stranger cutting your hair, or to your neighbor, or to your doctor. This puts LGBTQIA people in the position to choose safety or authenticity: Do I choose the comfort of this person knowing my identity, or the comfort of them not knowing?
Upcoming LGBTQIA+ Events, Services & More
Parent/Caregivers Support Group – In English
Now Forming
This free and monthly virtual support group is a great space for parents and caretakers of LGBTQIA+ children & teens to connect, receive affirming support strategies, and learn from one another with a Kaleidoscope therapist. To learn more, reach out to Jordan Sasiela for more information.
Parent Support Group For Parents of Young Adults
Now Forming!
This free and monthly virtual support group is a great space for parents and caretakers of LGBTQIA+ young adults to connect, receive affirming support strategies, and learn from one another with a Kaleidoscope therapist. To learn more, reach out to Jeri Rochman for more information.
Halloween Party for LGBTQ+ Teens 12-17!
Friday, October 28th | 6-8 pm
Join us for a Halloween party full of candy, pumpkin painting, costume contests and more! Pizza and snacks will be served. Costumes welcomed and encouraged!
Virtual Pride Club
4th Monday of Every Month
October 24th | 6 – 7pm | Zoom
Connect virtually with other LGBTQ+ youth and their allies ages 13-17 through creative activities, games, discussions, & hanging out! Zoom link will be sent out upon registration.
LGBTQ+ Young Adult Coffee Chat for 18-25 year olds
Tuesday October 25th | 6 – 7pm | In Person
Coffee Talk In Person Is Back!!
We invite Young Adults of the LGBTQIA+/Questioning community (ages 18-25) to meet peers, get support and hang out at this once a month group at our favorite local coffee shop in the Valley/North Hollywood area.
Cost: Free to attend – Coffee, tea, drinks and snacks for purchase at the shop. Location will be sent to you after registration.
This event will be on the 4th Tuesday of every month.
Can’t wait to see you again!
Parent Support Group (in Spanish)
Grupo de Apoyo para Padres
Thursday, October 27th | 6-7 pm
Jueves, 27 de Octubre | 6-7pm
Estas sesiones virtuales son gratis y diseñadas para que los padres y cuidadores puedan concetar, recibir apoyo y aprender unos de otros. Las discusiones grupales serán facilitadas por la Dra. Joselyn Valle, Terapeuta LGBTQIA+ con el programa Kaleidoscope de The Help Group.
This free and monthly virtual support group in Spanish is a great space for parents and caretakers to connect, receive affirming support strategies, and learn from one another.
Mental Health Services
Kaleidoscope offers individual & group therapy as well as psychiatric care in a safe & affirming environment at affordable rates. We accept insurance, Medi-cal, and offer sliding-scale rates based upon annual income. Contact us to learn more.
Individual Coaching
Coaching available for LGBTQIA+ youth & young adults who need assistance with identifying goals, taking next steps, & establishing healthy connections in community settings. Contact us to learn more.
Training & Presentations
We offer training, education & presentations to parents, administrators, and the community to provide LGBTQIA+ youth with the affirming support that they need to thrive. Contact us to learn more.
Other Programs at The Help Group for K-12
Upcoming Webcast
COVID Regression or Learning Disability?
Hear from our experts
Wed., October 26th | 10-11 am PT
Please join us virtually on October 26th, as our own Dr. Carol Cao is joined by CSUN’s Dr. Sue Sears to discuss the distinction between aggression caused by the pandemic versus the presence of a learning disability and what to do once you know.
In Case You Missed Our Webcast:
Learn About The Help Group: A Virtual Tour And Overview Of Our Schools
ABOUT KALEIDOSCOPE:
Kaleidoscope’s mission is to provide services and supports for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults to help each person realize their unique and full potential. We focus on mental health services, family training and support, forming strong social connections, finding allies and developing critically needed life and coping skills. Kaleidoscope hopes to pave the way to self, family and community acceptance, resilience and care needed for LGBTQ+ folks to thrive.
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