The 16th Rainbow Health Fair posters have been spotted around town.

 

More Providers at the Rainbow Women's Health Fair!

The Rainbow Women's Health Fair is this Saturday, June 29th from noon to 4pm! Come stop by All Pilgrims Church on Broadway for free health modalities!

 

See our most recent blog posts for lists of the providers that are participating, including these fabulous folks:

 

 

Safer Sex

Seattle Girls of Leather are a tremendous part of the Rainbow Women's Health Fair! Look for them at the front entrance of the Rainbow, where they will be greeting attendees with delicious snacks. Inside, halth care professional Candace Cantrell, President of Seattle Girls of Leather, will be answering questions about safer sex. Candace has many years of professional and personal exSeattle Girls of Leatherperiences in alternative sexuality communities, making her a dynamic educator.

 

 

B.E.S.T. Energy Healing

Linda Rasmussen, an Elite Master of B.E.S.T.  Bio Energetic Synchronization Technique), will be doing a demonstration and providing B.E.S.T. treatment.  B.E.S.T. is a gentle, light touch, energy balancing treatment that promotes relaxation and improves whole body functioning. Linda has a private practice and conducts workshops to train individuals and parents to provide basic energy balancing support to their family members and friends.

 

Mammography

YWCA Women's Health Outreach conducts a mobile mammogram screening for income eligible people 40 and over, who are un- or under insured, under the WBCCHP . The mobile mammogram coach from Swedish Hospital will be on site providing breast exams and pap tests.

HIV Information

Entre Hermanos will be providing HIV/AIDS education specifically for the Latino/a community. They will be providing culturally appropriate information about disease prevention, education, support services, advocacy and community building.

 

Acupuncture

We have several acupuncturists coming to the Rainbow!

Andrew Ball is a volunteer with The Alternative Health Access Campaign. Andrew runs acupuncture clinics for both Tent City 3 and ROOTS, providing medical care to the homeless population of Seattle and surrounding suburbs. His style of healthcare is focused on empowering patients to be able to better take care of themselves physically, mentally, and energetically.

 

Taunya Mattson will be doing a five needle protocol that is used in acupuncture detoxification, and by acupuncturists without borders for stress relief in populations struck by natural disaster.  These needles are non-invasive, help with relaxation, and provide a safe introduction to what acupuncture can do.

 

Jonathan Silliman is an East Asian Medicine Practitioner, specializing in stress relief, sleep disturbance, and emotional equilibrium. At the fair, he will be offering ear/head/hand acupuncture as well as some clothed Shiatsu massage.

Dianna Dean celebrates 10 years as an acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist for the queer community.  She specializes in chronic health concerns from pain conditions, respiratory, gastroenterology, and menopause, to addictions, stress, depression and other psycho emotional issues. 

 

Pap Tests

 

Cedar River Cinic is providing FREE Pap tests! This will be the first year that we are able to offer this at the Rainbow. Dr. Jules Marsh from Cedar River along with Kara Harrington, ARNP student, and Amy Boone, ARNP, from Westside Family Clinic are generously offering their time to do the Paps.

 

Yoga

The Grinning Yogi will be doing a 45-minute yoga workshop from 1:15-2pm. Come join them upstairs for a relaxing and fun session of yoga!

 

Blood Pressure

 

Morgan Manalia, a nursing student at Seattle University, will be taking blood pressure readings and answering questions about blood pressure.

Glucose and Cholesterol Screenings

Katie Lama is a nurse with SeaMar Home Health. She also does work through the Mexican consulate to provide screenings like the glucose and cholesterol screenings that she will be providing at the Rainbow. Katie has worked with the queer and trans populations for decades and is excited to provide glucose and cholesterol screenings for attendees of the health fair.

 

Nutrition Information

 

Barbara Hoppe will be tabling at the Rainbow giving folks information about nutrition. Barbara is a nutritionist, health educator, and lactation consultant. She has a great deal of experience teaching about healthy eating and healthy lifestyles. Come visit her table to learn more!

 

Nutrition Demonstration

 

Golda will be doing a nutrition demonstration in the kitchen. Join her to learn how to make a healthful and nutritious smoothie!

Breast Cancer Information

 

Doris Harris from the Breast Cancer Navigation Project will tabling and providing information on how to navigate the complex experience of having breast cancer.

 

Check Your Boobies will have an information table about their program. Stop by to learn how to sign up for monthly email or text reminders to check your boobies!

 

Get Active at the Rainbow Health Fair!

Never before has the Rainbow Health Fair hosted exercise activities! This is the year!

The health fair will be held at Seattle Central Community College on Saturday, June 23rd, and so we have much more space available to help you get in touch with new and fun activities and exercises. We will provide a diverse selection of activities to choose from, including:

Zumba!

Zumba is a Latin dance-inspired fitness program. Instructor Jennifer Cepeda http://www.hellosparkfit.com/about/ leads classes at Youngstown Cultural Art Center in West Seattle.

Contra dancing!

Contra dancing refers to several partnered folk dance styles in which couples dance in two facing lines. Lots of fun! Dancing will be led by Seattle Rainbow Contra Dance. They also lead regular dances - be sure to check their website.

Stretching!

Tamara the Trapeze Lady will lead us in stretching exercises. Get ready to twist and turn! She was one of the first trapeze artists in Seattle - leading to a local revival. She has also developed her own style of stretching, gives trapeze classes, and regularly performs.

Nia!

Nia is a sensory-based movement practice that draws from martial arts, dance arts, and healing arts. These classes will be led by a group of Nia teachers, including Deborah Davis, Sarah Love, Jena Hennessey, Randee Fox, and Allison Wright.


Booty Camp!
Booty Camp is a community oriented, holistic, outdoor women's fitness program. Designed for every ability level, Booty Camp helps women feel confident and strong in their bodies.

We hope you find something new to help you de-stress - something to support the overall health of your body, mind, and spirit. Try out free classes at the Rainbow Health Fair to see what these activities are all about!

June 23rd is the Pride Date to remember!

14th Annual LBTQ Rainbow Health Fair - save June 23^rd!

Join us for a fun, vibrant, active, and informative health fair the Saturday of Pride! It’ll be bigger and better than ever before, at Seattle Central Community College.

Saturday, June 23rd

1pm – 5pm

Seattle Central Community College

1701 Broadway

Seattle

Peer providers will share their services, including acupuncture, massage, energy healing, Zumba, stretching with Tamara the Trapeze Lady, HIV testing, cholesterol checks, naturopathic consultation, coming out services, mental health education, and a wonderful laughter session provided by our own Ingrid Berkhout. Stay tuned for a comprehensive program overview closer in early June.

The Swedish Breast Center Mammography Coach will join us on-site for no-cost mammograms. Grace Chapman, ARNP, will also be providing pap tests. Eligible individuals for these no-cost services must be income-eligible, and 40 or over. Insurance is also accepted. To schedule your mammogram and pap test, call YWCA Women’s Health Outreach’s Marilyn Calbert at 206.461.4489.

We are so excited to be holding this health fair again this year, bringing back many interactive and critical health services to Rainbow! We’ll have new partners joining us – bringing us dance exercise, financial education, and Healthy Sleep 101 – for the first time ever!

Over the coming weeks, we’ll share more information about different peer providers and their services. Stay tuned!

Fundraiser at California Pizza Kitchen for Rainbow Health Fair

Have you heard about how you can enjoy a wonderful meal at the Northgate California Pizza Kitchen with your friends AND 20% of your check will be donated to the YWCA Women's Health Outreach Rainbow Health Fair?  Purchases include dine-in, take-out, catering and alcoholic beverages!  This is a fabulous way to nourish the body and the soul. 

We will be onsite during each evening May 15th, 16th and 17th of the event with flyers to present to your server (you need the flyer for 20% of your check to be donated to the Rainbow Health Fair).  Grab a group of friends and make an evening of it!

You can also contact iberkhou@ywcaworks.org for an emailed flyer.

May 15th, 16th and 17th

California Pizza Kitchen

401 NE Northgate Way, Seattle, WA 98125

Rainbow Health Fair wants YOU for new Planning Committee

Rainbow Health Fair Needs You!

Dear Friends in Health:                                                                        
We are excited to be launching a planning committee for the 14th Annual Rainbow Health Fair and would like to invite you to be a member.  If you are passionate about the health and well being of the LBTQ community you are what we are looking for!  Please join us for an inspiring evening of brainstorming as we plan our next Health Fair.

The time commitment will be approximately one meeting a month in January, February, March, April and 2 meetings in May and June.  If you have motivation but not as much time, we still may find you a valuable member of the planning committee.  Access to email will be a plus.

Please join us:
Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 – 6:30pm
OutWest Bar
5401 California Avenue SW
(between Brandon St & Findley St)
Seattle, WA 98136
206-937-1540

Please RSVP to Ingrid at lbthealth@ywcaworks.org.  We look forward to having you be part of this exciting team.

Ps. I think the way the world is going to have a day for people to get medical check- ups  by mostly peer-providers and other information for their overall well-being, is becoming more important than ever. So let’s make the 14th Rainbow Health Fair into an unforgettable event.  Please help spread the word!!

Thank you and be well,
Ingrid berkhout
Program Manager
Women’s Health Outreach
{p} 206.461.4493
{f}  206. 720.5901
1118 Fifth Ave Seattle,  WA  98101
twitter.com/ingridWHO
http://lbtqhealth-ywca.blogspot.com/
give help. get help.
ywcaworks.org

A supportive environment makes a difference for health care services

We always appreciate feedback from those that attend any of our health screenings or fairs.  We want to make the experience the best possible for the attendees and the providers.  We received this letter from a peer provider that benefitted from the services in an unexpected way. 

I attended the Rainbow Health Fair this Gay Pride in 2011. I was a volunteer in my specialty, and enjoyed reaching out to the public in that way. I also experienced as a first-time presenter the support of a whole community of women who were supporting other women in becoming more healthy, and that was a beautiful thing. For myself, getting a blood sugar test in that supportive environment enabled me to take the news that I was in the early stages (or mild anyhow) of pre-diabetes in a good way, and do something about it. I was told that it was nothing losing 20 pounds couldn't fix, and that I could do it.
I have since intensified my workout at the gym and have lost (8-29, so two months later) 8 pounds and am not done yet. I feel much healthier and I also feel supported by a wonderful community of women who wish me well. The news that my blood sugar was questionable had previously been given to me by a clinic in a way which I did not find supportive or motivating to change or even clear.

13th Annual LBTQ Health Fair a great success

We wish to thank all of the Peer Providers who were part of the health fair!  We received such positive feedback about the impact their services had for our community members.  We know many connections were made between the providers and attendees which is a big part of what the health fair is about.

We thank the ~70 plus attendees for taking the time to care for themselves and try new modalities we offered this year.  We appreciated the feedback and will be incorporating it into next years health fair.  We will share more about the health fair in the future weeks. 

We are starting a health fair advisory board and are looking for a mix of providers and participants.  Our goal is to grow the health fair while still intimately meeting the needs of our community.  If you are interested or have feedback to share, please contact Ingrid at iberkhou@ywcaworks.com.

Schedule of Events at the LBTQ Rainbow Health Fair

The Health Fair is about options!  We have an incredible group of dedicated Peer Providers that you can make appointments with throughout the day via their sign up sheets.  Enjoy a chair massage, have a Tarot Reading or talk with professionals about specific issues.  Plus we have opportunities for group involvement.

Take a peek at the schedule and plan your day around your interests.  This day is about YOU!

10:00am - 3:00pm  Music performance by Marla Nonkin on keyboards
10:30am - 11:00am Laughter Session with Ingrid Berkhout
11:15am - 11:45am  Chi Cong with Davida
12.00am - 1:00pm Theatre of the Oppressed with Lupita Patterson
1:15pm - 1:45pm Chi Cong with Davida
2.00pm Reading from Yogic Bliss followed by Yoga Breathing with Autumn Needles

The 13th Annual LBTQ Rainbow Health Fair is here - Saturday 6/25

The anticipation for the health fair has been great amongst those of us working on it. We have been preparing for your arrival and are just plain excited to welcome you.  Admittedly sleep has been a bit less with the anticipation as we have drawn closer to today. 

Each year Ingrid works tirelessly to improve upon the last year to ensure you have an experience that adds to your life in healthy ways.  We are grateful to our fabulous Peer Providers who have given of their time, expertise and energy.  Hopefully you will enjoy the services while making new friends and reconnect with friends you may not have seen for a while.  Community is so important to overall good health and we are honored to be a part of your lives.

We welcome your feedback and would love for you to share with us how the health fair has impacted your life.  We will publish your stories over the next couple months - so call or write to us (anonymity will be maintained upon request).  We thank each of you for spreading the word, bringing friends and spending part of your day with us.

Laughter is the best medicine according to Ingrid Berkhout

When was the last time you had a good belly laugh or laughed until you cried?  You may be surprised to learn that laughter has many more benefits than you may think.  It has been shown in some studies to strengthen your immune system, increase intellectual performance and be a natural stress releaser.  Even a small amount of laughing can add benefits for hours.  Laughing can trigger endorphines, balance blood pressure and ease pain.  It may even create a more positive attitude and improve sleep.  

If you have not laughed with Ingrid Berkhout, Program Manager of the Women's Health Outreach - you are in for a treat!  Ingrid will be leading a fabulous Laughter Session during our 13th Annual LBTQ Rainbow Health Fair.  She believes that laughing is no joke when it comes to the overall benefits one can receive from laughter. 

Join Ingrid at 10:30am - 11:00am on Saturday, June 25th for jaw aching, side splitting and knee slapping laughing. 
 

SugarPill is a sweet addition to the LBTQ Rainbow Health Fair

We are very excited to have SugarPill join us for the first time this year.  SugarPill is a modern twist on a traditional apothecary. They offer both medicinal and culinary herbs and spices, including an extensive collection of gourmet salts, house-made exotic spice blends and medicinal tea formulations.

Herbalist and proprietor Karyn Schwartz will be available to answer questions and assist you on your path to more vibrant health. They also feature a wide variety of cocktail bitters, local honey and preserves, fair trade teas, exquisite chocolates, caramels and luscious, natural skin and body care products to delight all of your senses.  Make sure you take a moment to check out all SugarPill has to offer.

Karyn Schwartz, Proprietor SugarPill
Apothecary * Culinary * Mercantile
206.322.7455 (PILL)
900 E. Pine St.
Seattle WA, 98122
well@sugarpillseattle.com
http://www.sugarpillseattle.com/

Babeland supports 13th Annual LBTQ Rainbow Health Fair

They are many great things about Babeland including providing a comfortable, sleaze-free place to shop for sex toys and other adult items.  They have a knowledgeable staff, quality products, and a multitude of sexy workshops. Babeland's mission is as follows:  to promote and celebrate sexual vitality by providing an honest, open and fun environment. Encouraging personal empowerment, community education, and support for a more passionate world are key. Babeland has received numerous accolades for our unparalleled customer service in addition to being rated the best place to buy sex toys by numerous publications.

The Babeland staffer at the 13th annual LBTQ Rainbow Health Fair has a background in post-cancer sexuality and has presented to many local organizations about the importance of providing sexuality information during life changing events.  This is a great fit with our other Peer Providers to create a well rounded experience on Saturday.

 http://www.babeland.com/

Schedule of events at 13th Annual LBTQ Rainbow Health Fair

We are very excited about tomorrow's Health Fair and have scheduled events as well as the ability to talk with providers one-on-one! 
10:00am - 3:00pm  Music performance by Marla Nonkin on keyboards
10:30am -11:00am Laughter Session with Ingrid Berkhout
11:15am -11:45pm Chi Cong with Davida
12:00am -1:00pm Theatre of the Oppressed with Lupita Patterson
1:15pm - 1:45pm Chi Cong with Davida
2:00pm - 3:00pm Reading followed by Yoga/breathing with Autumn Needles

 Ongoing Opportunities to enhance your health with:

Naturopathy

Acupuncture

 Massage
Mammograms

 Breast Health Education

 Herbalist/Homeopathy

 Personal Trainer/movement

 Heart Health/Cholesterol Check

 Babeland

 Seattle Counseling Services

 Energy Balancing (B.E.S.T)

Tarot readings

Heart Point Healing

 Amethyst Bio-Mat

 Laughter Session

 Susan G. Komen

Young Survival Coalition Seattle

Saving Lives By Increasing Early Detection - LBTQ Rainbow Health Fair

The Koreans Women's Association partners with Franciscan Health System to create the Breast Cancer Navigator Program. The Breast Cancer Navigator Program has served nearly 15,000 women since it began in 2005. The Navigator helps save lives by going out into the community; educating women about breast cancer and the need for screening. Offering free, culturally sensitive, language appropriate assistance to women from under served populations and helping them get mammograms, increasing early detection of breast cancer.
This program is funded through the generous donation of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.  Doris Harris will be on hand at our 13th Annual LBTQ Rainbow Health Fair.

Doris L. Harris
Breast Cancer Navigator
Serving African American women and the LGBTQ community
206-261-0132
dlharris02@netzero.net
http://www.kwacares.org/
http://www.fhshealth.org/
 

Certified Personal Trainer adds meal planning to the workout

Tracey D Watkins is the owner of Your Place Of Fitness.  She has been a Certified Personal Trainer since 1998 and specializes in Post Rehab, General Conditioning, Weight loss and Meal Planning. She makes her home in Seattle and is part of Trancend Fitness (located on Capital Hill).  Check her out Saturday, June 25th at the LBTQ Rainbow Health Fair and maybe get motivated to start a new regime.

Massage therapists are a popular peer provider

Many members of our community look forward to the chair massage that is offered FREE at the LBTQ Rainbow Health Fair by our Peer Providers.  We have 3 massage therapists that will touch away any stress you are feeling.

Amy Wolf, LMP is a sole proprietor and has been licensed since 1992 in our lovely Washington State.  Prior to moving to Washington Amy studied in Santa Cruz, CA.  She is gifted both at muscle-specific treatment massage and subtle energy work.  Her philosophy supports spending energy on actual prevention in addition to focusing on early detection.  Eating a healthy diet and limiting smoking or drinking adds to overall health.  Amy understands that early detection is not prevention, and she feels the two messages can be confused.

Amy Wolf, LMP is a sole proprietor at Westwood Healing Arts providing licensed therapeutic massage for job-related injuries, repetitive stress conditions such as carpal tunnel and tendonitis, general relaxation, car accident injuries. We also provide Reiki healing and Reiki teachings and attunements, chakra healing, polarity therapy, soul retrieval, and clairvoyant readings.
Appointment only; two locations in West Seattle and Lake City.

westwoodhealingarts.com
Westwood Healing Arts on Facebook
206-349-9198 (no text)
7942 28th Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98126
10522 Lake City Way NE Seattle WA 98115
lic #MA00005860

Chi-Cong with Davida Wolf

1:15-1:45 Chi-Cong

Davida Wolf is a new Peer Provider and we are pleased to have Chi-Cong as part of our eclectic and wonderful line up.  In the simplest of terms Chi-Cong is a breathing exercise that originates from China.  There are many different ways to practice Ch-Cong and we are looking forward to Davida Wolf showing us her style and technique to better our health.  

The Hope Heart Institute provides Heart Healthy Services

Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the U.S. but in most cases, it is preventable!  We are so honored to have The Hope Heart Institute provide practical, hands-on, easy-to-understand information on maintaining a healthy heart at the 13th Annual LBTQ Rainbow Health Fair.  Additionally, The Hope is sponsoring cholesterol screenings through Screenpointe from 11:00-2:00.  Stop by their table and meet Kristen McHenry and get answers to your heart health questions. 

Kristen McHenry, CVA
Outreach & Volunteer Services Manager
The Hope Heart Institute
1380 112th Ave NE Suite 200
Bellevue, WA 98004
Office:  425.456.8751
Fax: 425.456.8701
http://www.hopeheart.org/

Cathy Speelmon from Seattle Counseling Services

We are fortunate to have diversity in knowledge at the upcoming LBTQ Rainbow Health Fair.  If you or a loved one is having any issues with chemical dependency, mental health issues or wanting to quit smoking we have Cathy Speelmon from Seattle Counseling Services available to answer your questions. 

Cathy Speelmon is currently the Program Manager for Addiction Services at Seattle Counseling Service and an instructor in the Alcohol/Drug Studies Program at Bellevue College. Cathy has over twenty five years of experience providing chemical dependency services to both youth and adults in a variety of settings including inpatient, outpatient, school programs and mental health settings. She has expertise in working with LGBTQ individuals, HIV/AIDS, mental health, tobacco cessation, homeless youth and adults, harm reduction strategies and adult children of alcoholics. In addition to her work at Seattle
Counseling Service Cathy has a private practice where she provides individual counseling, couples counseling and consultation regarding addiction concerns.