allgo continues the commitment to wellness started by its founders. Too often queer people of color succumb to preventable or treatable illness and disease. Often the stresses associated with oppression experienced by queer people of color exacerbate or create health situations.

allgo provides education, outlets for expression, safe spaces for being ourselves, and experience in wellness practice. This is exemplified in programming, personnel management, and the day-to-day activities of the organization.

Components of wellness are interwoven in cultural arts and action activities through ensuring that wellness education, and individual health, welfare and comfort is incorporated in these areas.

Specific wellness programming includes:

Breast Care — allgo provides educational materials and information regarding Breast Care. In addition, we partner annually with the SETON Cancer Mobile Mammography Program to provide low-cost to free breast exams and at allgo. For more information about materials and the next mammogram screenings, contact Priscilla A. Hale.

allgo’s most recent mammogram screening was on November 23 and 24, 2009. This year, we were able to provide over 40 screenings during the two-day event. Our communities continue to be disproportionately impacted by breast cancer, and having access to screenings and medical care are crucial for increasing survival:

“I am very grateful to have access to the mammogram services that allgo coordinates each year. Having no formal insurance coverage, allgo’s work affords me the opportunity to include this important element of my overall health care.”       Carmen, participant in mammogram screening

HIV/AIDS prevention and safer sex education — allgo provides HIV/AIDS prevention and safer sex education and materials and incorporates education and prevention tools and information into all of its events and activities.

Annual Statewide Summit — allgo creates a space for wellness education, practice, support and rejuvenation as well as planning.