The new LGBTQ Empowerment Center
DaSpotNextDoor is now a center dedicated to supporting individuals in developing skills, confidence, and resources to enhance their lives. DaSpotNextDoor will offer various programs, workshops, group coaching sessions, and resources aimed at personal and professional growth, offering empowerment in diverse aspects of life like education, career, mental health, and personal development serving the young LGBTQ+ Community.
Group Coaching Session - {“Metamorphosis”} Fridays from 4pm-6pm
A group coaching session will involve a coach working with a small group of individuals concurrently, focusing on personal and/or professional development. Participants join the session to work on common goals or themes. The coach will then facilitate discussions and activities to encourage mutual learning and growth. The coach leads discussions on relevant topics, strategies, or frameworks. Participants engage in dialogue, share experiences, ask questions, and offer insights, benefiting from diverse perspectives within the group. The coach may incorporate exercises, activities, or assessments designed to deepen understanding, foster skill development, or encourage introspection. Group coaching harnesses the power of peer support. Participants often hold each other accountable, provide feedback, and offer encouragement, enhancing motivation and commitment. Towards the end of the session, there's often a reflection period where participants evaluate insights gained and plan actionable steps. The coach might facilitate this process, ensuring everyone leaves with a clear plan.
“Metamorphosis” leverages collective wisdom, fosters a supportive community, and provides a way for individuals to benefit from coaching while learning from others' experiences. The coach facilitates the process, ensuring a balance between individual attention and group dynamics to maximize the session's effectiveness.
Guided Meditation & Chill Space - {Recharge} Tuesdays - Saturdays from 3pm-4pm
“Recharge” is a dedicated space for people to relax, release, and recharge. There will be a moment of guided meditation which involves individuals coming together in the shared space to participate in a meditation session led by a facilitator. The facilitator encourages participants to relax and be present. This involves verbal guidance, where they might instruct participants on breathing techniques, visualization, body awareness, or mindfulness exercises. The meditation can vary in length, style, and focus, catering to the group's needs or theme. After the meditation, participants might have the opportunity to share their experiences, ask questions, or discuss any insights gained during the session. This sharing can foster a sense of community and connection among participants.
MSM Services Sexual Education - {Just A Touch} Saturdays from 3pm-6pm
“Just a Touch” is a sexual education group for men who have sex with me with the primary focus of expressing intimacy with a sexual partner. “Just a Touch” will assist in breaking down the stigma around communicating about sexually healthy practices. This group will be for ages 13 and up. It will deliver basic information on HIV and STIs, their modes of transmission, and how to practice sexually healthy practices. This group is inclusive and will be for both HIV-negative and HIV-positive individuals.
MSM Coaching Group - {The Barbershop} Beginning in March
“The Barbershop” is an empowerment coaching session for self-identified men. This group is for men who want to be encouraged in their identity and their lifestyles. Men will learn life skills and have a safe space to share their experiences, emotions, and challenges without judgment. These coaching sessions are also available to supply community support and create a space of brotherhood.
Youth Power - Ages 13 to 24
As a foundation, and if there aren’t any special groups or events scheduled, DaSpotNextDoor provides a safe space for youth to come in and hang out amongst their peers in a recreational environment. Any form of entertainment, engagement with other services, and/or simple downtime is provided for them.
Kiki Lounge {Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4pm-6pm}
Kiki Lounge is a dedicated group for the subculture of Ballroom. Within Kiki Lounge, youth can come to practice the Art of Vogue; Other Ballroom categories are taught and practiced here as well.
Tea Time
Is an open forum group where youth can come in and talk about “hot topics” with each other. These hot topics aren’t bound to popular culture. The youth-led topics can expand from government issues to highlighting artistry and excellence within communities that resonate with the participants.
The C.I. Group
“The Checking In Group” is an open forum group for youth to express themselves emotionally. The C.I. Group invites young people to share their experiences within this safe space. Here, youth will be able to practice community building and establish an opportunity to connect with services if they find their situations need more assistance.
Gaymerz Group
All ages are welcome to enjoy video gaming, board games, card games, and trivia games.
Da Spot Next Door is also home to Destination Tomorrow’s Peer Vanguard Program
The Peer Vanguard Program “PVP “provides participants with opportunities to develop and practice leadership and social action skills by providing a forum where community members can learn about and discuss biases. discrimination issues, and pertinent topics that are community centered and informed. Once accepted to the program peers undergo Destination Tomorrrow’s own homegrown peer-leadership training process covering themes like:
- Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills
- Basic Knowledge on LGBTQ His/Herstorical Movements and Destination Tomorrow
- Conflict Resolution Skills
- HIV/AIDS 101
- Community Outreach and Engagement
- Computer and Office Tools
- The Importance of Community Service/Civic Engagement
The Peer vanguards serve positive peer influence whose aim is to promote healthy, supportive, and respectful educational environments, develop social responsibility, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities through opportunities for real-life applications in their community/participant recruitment, retention, and education.
For more information on Da Spot Next Door, Peer Vanguard Program, Youth Services Calendar Mailing List or Youth Events please contact Mel-Mel Irish, Youth Services Coordinator melmel@destinationtomorrow.org