Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association
Since its inception in 1989, OPALGA has become one of the largest community based, multipurpose lesbian and gay membership organizations in Illinois.
You’re invited to the Annual Post-Holiday Brunch!
OPALGA is once again hosting the annual post-holiday brunch to ring in the New Year. Join us as we gather for an afternoon of food, fun, and friends.
Where: Papaspiro’s, 733 Lake Street, Oak Park.
When: Sunday, January 15, 2012 beginning at noon. Food will be served until 1:30.
Tickets: $20.00 at the door.
The cost of the ticket includes a buffet of Greek specialties, including Greek sausage, scrambled eggs, gyros, salad, other breakfast items, coffee, and soft drinks. A cash bar is available with house wine and mixed drinks specially-priced at only $5.00 (each).
January Potluck - Join Us
Our first potluck of the year is Friday, January 13. Our hosts are Rusty and Keith. Please bring a dish to share and your own beverage.
Location: 449 N. Lombard Ave., #2, in Oak Park.
Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
LGBT focus group opportunity
The newly established LGBT Commuity Fund has invited OPAGLA members to participate in a focus group Tuesday, Decebmer 6 from 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM. The purpose is to get a better sense of the Chicago LGBT community’s needs and assets. Feedback from the session will be used to guide how LGBT Community Fund allocates its funding. The focus group will held at the Berwyn Public Library. We hope a number of OPALGA members will be able to join. To register or for more information, please contact Jessica Kadish, Project Coordinator: Jessica@mortengroup.com, by noon on Monday, December 5.
December Potluck
This month’s potluck is on Friday, December 9. Patrick Curtin is our host. Bring a dish to share and your own beverage. The address is 116 Frank Lloyd Wright Lane in Oak Park. Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM.
15th Annual OPAL Gala gets rave reviews!
Two-hundred guests, including several special dignataries recognized for their work in support of the passage of the Illinois Civil Uniion act this year, celebrated at OPALGA’s 15th annual Oak Park Area Leadership (OPAL) Gala on Saturday, November 19. In addition to the Civil Union suipporters, OPALGA presented two OPAL Awards. The first was presented posthumoulsy to Susan Anderson, recognizing her many contributions to both OPALGA and the broader lesbian and gay community. The second award recognized members of a task force that helped OPALGA face and eventually conquer serious financial challenges. The night included silent and live auctions, a buffet dinner, and dancing. And the evening is getting rave reviews from attendees. Check out the photos posted on OakPark.com. And check out what people are saying about the night on OPALGA’s Facebook page.
Monthly Potluck, Friday November 11
This month’s potluck will be hosted by Ron and Doug at 639 Fair Oaks Avenue, Oak Park. Bring a dish to share AND your own drinks.
Annual OPAL Gala to benefit five other organizations
With a theme of “Giving Back,” proceeds from this year’s OPAL Gala fundraiser will be shared with five other local organizations. The move marks a shift for OPALGA which less than two years ago was focused on eliminating its own debt and meeting its own expenses. This year’s gala will have another new twist, too. In addition to honoring the recipient of the Oak Park Area Leadership (OPAL) award, several individuals and organizations will be recognized for their work in helping to create and pass the Civil Union law in Illinois this year.
The OPAL Gala will be held on November 19 at the Nineteenth Century Club in Oak Park. The funbegins at 6:30 PM. Tickets are on sale now for $85 and can be obtained by contacting OPALGA via email, info@opalga.org. The Gala features silent and live auctions, a free photo booth, a menu of passed hors d’oeuvres and buffet-style food stations from Oak Park-based Cucina Paradiso, cash bar, a DJ, dancing and more.
2012 Membership Dues – Time to be Counted
It once again is time to stand up and be counted. We thank you for being a loyal supporter of OPALGA in the past and urge you to join for 2012. It is only through dues-paying members that OPALGA has been able to remain a strong presence in the community…and has helped to make the community a place we can be proud to call home – a welcoming place in a world that isn’t always so welcoming. Click the membership link at left or email info@opalga.org for more information. Thanks!
OPALGA announces five beneficiary organizations
The board of directors is pleased to announce that donations have been made to five other local organizations that are aligned with its mission and vision. The organizations designated as OPALGA’s 2011 beneficiaries are listed below. Grants have already been made to these organizations that provide services to our community and they will also share in the proceeds from the annual OPAL-GALA fundraiser.
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
PFLAG is a national non-profit organization with over 200,000 members and supporters and over 500 affiliates in the United States. One of those affiliates is PFLAG Oak Park, and OPALGA is proud to help support the local chapter. PFLAG Oak Park holds monthly potlucks, sponsors an annual film festival and provides support and referral services. For information visit http://www.oakpark-pflag.blogspot.com/
Lesbian Community Care Project
The Lesbian Community Care Project (LCCP) of Howard Brown Health Center provides a wide variety of services and specialized care just for women, through all stages of their lives. These include healthcare services, a drop in service, and support groups (including Women Like Me, a support group for married women which originated at OPALGA). For information, visit http://www.howardbrown.org/default.asp?id=1077
PCC Community Wellness Center
PCC Community Wellness Center is a local healthcare provider targeting the medically underserved community. OPALGA provides support specific to the organization’s HIV Prevention Program for Gay, Bisexual and Transgender young men. The program offers fun, supportive and educational weekly drop-in groups for men 18 years and over, high school gay straight alliance outreach, professional education and technical assistance regarding Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender issues and rapid HIV testing. For information, visit http://www.pccwellness.org/
Illinois Safe Schools Alliance
The Illinois Safe Schools Alliance’s mission is to promote safety, support and healthy development for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, in Illinois schools and communities through advocacy, education, youth organizing and research. The Alliance provides a networking resource for high school gay/straight alliance groups across the community. For information, visit http://www.illinoissafeschools.org/
Broadway Youth Center
The Broadway Youth Center is a program of Howard Brown Health Center offering comprehensive services to all youth, ages 24 and under, including a safe space for young people experiencing homelessness. The Center provides drop –in services, counseling, medical services, STD/HIV testing, mentoring and more. For information, visit http://www.howardbrown.org/hb_services.asp?id=50
Save the Date - 15th Annual OPAL Awards Gala
Planning is underway for the annual OPAL Awards Gala. The date is set: Saturday, November 19, 2011. The event will again be held this year at the 19th Century Club in Oak Park. Details to come. In the meantime, if you’re interested in helping with the committee, donating silent auction items or sponsoring the event, send an email to info@opalga.org.