Thursdays, July 11–August 1

Discover artmaking as a coping skill, a means of expressing emotions, and a way to promote creativity and well-being. Join us as we explore themes of play and creativity. No prior artistic experience is necessary.

Led by Elizabeth Cobb, LCSW, and H Peterson, Clinical Intern

Click here to register.

Virtually via Zoom.

Join us for an evening of poetry, song, and prose. Share, listen, and connect through your artistry in this collective virtual space for Black women, Indigenous women, women of color, and BIPOC individuals of the gender-expansive community. We’ll greet one another with video on in support of building a trusting space. Participants are welcome to stay on camera or turn them off after initial greetings as they feel comfortable. Led by Alyson Davis, LMFT

Click here to register.

Thursdays, July 11–August 1

Located at The Women’s Initiative’s main office

1101 East High Street, Charlottesville

Discover artmaking as a coping skill, a means of expressing emotions, and a way to promote creativity and well-being. Join us as we explore themes of play and creativity. No prior artistic experience is necessary.

Led by Elizabeth Cobb, LCSW, and H Peterson, Clinical Intern

Click here to register.

Every 4th Thursday, ongoing

This group is a safe space for transgender women and transfeminine adult individuals (18 years and older) in Charlottesville, Albemarle, and surrounding areas in Virginia to connect, share, learn from one another, and provide mutual encouragement along our unique, personal journeys. Respecting and maintaining the privacy of individuals and the confidentiality of what is shared in our circle is of utmost importance. Led by Kayla Capps, Ashley Glennon, and members of the TWI Q Staff Alliance

For more information and to register (preferred names or initials are fine), email cvilletranswomen@gmail.com. Attend any of the sessions.

Biweekly on Wednesdays

We are excited to bring back the Q Social Hour at TWI! Every other week, members of the LGBTQ+ community will gather for queer companionship, connection, and fun. From board games to movie nights and themed conversations, join us as we build community together. Members of the LGBTQ+ community 18 years and up are invited to attend.

Led by Hyacinth Bellerose

Click here to register.

Register once and attend any of the sessions.

Thursdays, July 11–August 1

Located at The Women’s Initiative’s main office

1101 East High Street, Charlottesville

Discover artmaking as a coping skill, a means of expressing emotions, and a way to promote creativity and well-being. Join us as we explore themes of play and creativity. No prior artistic experience is necessary.

Led by Elizabeth Cobb, LCSW, and H Peterson, Clinical Intern

Click here to register.

Biweekly on Fridays, August 16–September 27

Join us in creating a vibrant collective space where BIPOC LGBTQ individuals can connect, create, and thrive together. Each week will bring an opportunity to socialize, and learn and connect with community through various activities, such as a BIPOC LGBTQ+ filmmaker showcase, artmaking, and more.

Individuals who identify as both BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) are invited to participate. Led by Latricia Giles.

Click here to register.

Register once and attend any of the sessions.

Tuesday, August 20

Join us for an evening of arts, crafts, and creativity with your sisters. We will immerse ourselves in the joys of painting pots and potting plants in a fun and relaxing environment. Led by Juanika Howard, LPC.

Click here to register.

Biweekly on Wednesdays, August 21–September 18

Virtually via Zoom.

Join us for a biweekly book club focused on Trans pleasure. Pleasure is so frequently de-centered in conversations about trans people. These discussions often focus on what is wrong with our bodies rather than on what can be right with our bodies. We aim to create a safe space for all transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse folks. The book club will begin with a reading of Queer Sex: A Trans and Non-Binary Guide to Intimacy, Pleasure, and Relationships by Juno Roche. We'll dive deep into understanding our own needs and ways that pleasure can be detached from CIS heteronormative standards. If you want to take a deep dive into your own pleasure and connect more deeply with your queer body, this book club is for you! We’ll greet one another with video on in support of building a trusting space. Participants are welcome to stay on camera or turn them off after initial greetings as they feel comfortable. Led by Hyacinth Bellerose

Click here to register.

Saturday, August 24

Embrace rest as resistance and reclaim your peace. In the heart of your busy day, we invite you to step away from the demands of the world and into a haven of tranquility designed for BIPOC women. This retreat offers a sacred space to pause, breathe, and reconnect with your inner wellspring of strength and serenity. This retreat is a sanctuary for BIPOC women seeking solace, renewal, and connection. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or simply in need of a restorative pause, this experience invites you to reclaim your peace and rediscover your inner strength. Drop in for a portion of the day or stay for the entire duration. Lunch will be provided for those who attend the entire day. Led by Latricia Giles.

Click here to register.

Biweekly on Fridays, August 16–September 27

Join us in creating a vibrant collective space where BIPOC LGBTQ individuals can connect, create, and thrive together. Each week will bring an opportunity to socialize, and learn and connect with community through various activities, such as a BIPOC LGBTQ+ filmmaker showcase, artmaking, and more.

Individuals who identify as both BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) are invited to participate. Led by Latricia Giles.

Click here to register.

Register once and attend any of the sessions.

Biweekly on Wednesdays, August 21–September 18

Virtually via Zoom.

Join us for a biweekly book club focused on Trans pleasure. Pleasure is so frequently de-centered in conversations about trans people. These discussions often focus on what is wrong with our bodies rather than on what can be right with our bodies. We aim to create a safe space for all transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse folks. The book club will begin with a reading of Queer Sex: A Trans and Non-Binary Guide to Intimacy, Pleasure, and Relationships by Juno Roche. We'll dive deep into understanding our own needs and ways that pleasure can be detached from CIS heteronormative standards. If you want to take a deep dive into your own pleasure and connect more deeply with your queer body, this book club is for you! We’ll greet one another with video on in support of building a trusting space. Participants are welcome to stay on camera or turn them off after initial greetings as they feel comfortable. Led by Hyacinth Bellerose

Click here to register.

Mondays, September 9–30 

Join us in cultivating a space of creative expression with other Latinas in your community while exploring the healing power of cultural connection and visual story telling through textiles. Using fabric scraps, hand-sewing, and patchwork techniques inspired by Chilean arpilleras and traditional Mexican embroidery, each participant will work towards creating a visual story cloth centered on resilience and healing. No prior sewing experience is necessary; we will support in learning foundational sewing stitches. *This group will be run in a bilingual format in Spanish and English. Led by Alma Molina and Karina Monroy, Clinical Art Therapy Intern.

To register for the group, call 434.328.1800, email bienestar@thewomensinitiative.org.

Tuesdays, September 10–24

Virtually via Zoom.

This group will be a discussion about love based on the bell hooks book, all about love. BIPOC-identifying women are invited to attend and build community with one another through creating a collective definition of love. Participants are encouraged to purchase the book, all about love, ahead of time to use as a reference point. Focused discussion questions from the book will be used to build our collective definition of love. Led by Kishara Griffin, MSW.

Click here to register.

Register once and attend any of the sessions.

Biweekly on Fridays, August 16–September 27

Join us in creating a vibrant collective space where BIPOC LGBTQ individuals can connect, create, and thrive together. Each week will bring an opportunity to socialize, and learn and connect with community through various activities, such as a BIPOC LGBTQ+ filmmaker showcase, artmaking, and more.

Individuals who identify as both BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) are invited to participate. Led by Latricia Giles.

Click here to register.

Register once and attend any of the sessions.

Mondays, September 9–30 

Join us in cultivating a space of creative expression with other Latinas in your community while exploring the healing power of cultural connection and visual story telling through textiles. Using fabric scraps, hand-sewing, and patchwork techniques inspired by Chilean arpilleras and traditional Mexican embroidery, each participant will work towards creating a visual story cloth centered on resilience and healing. No prior sewing experience is necessary; we will support in learning foundational sewing stitches. *This group will be run in a bilingual format in Spanish and English. Led by Alma Molina and Karina Monroy, Clinical Art Therapy Intern.

To register for the group, call 434.328.1800, email bienestar@thewomensinitiative.org.

Tuesdays, September 10–24

Virtually via Zoom.

This group will be a discussion about love based on the bell hooks book, all about love. BIPOC-identifying women are invited to attend and build community with one another through creating a collective definition of love. Participants are encouraged to purchase the book, all about love, ahead of time to use as a reference point. Focused discussion questions from the book will be used to build our collective definition of love. Led by Kishara Griffin, MSW.

Click here to register.

Register once and attend any of the sessions.

Biweekly on Wednesdays, August 21–September 18

Virtually via Zoom.

Join us for a biweekly book club focused on Trans pleasure. Pleasure is so frequently de-centered in conversations about trans people. These discussions often focus on what is wrong with our bodies rather than on what can be right with our bodies. We aim to create a safe space for all transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse folks. The book club will begin with a reading of Queer Sex: A Trans and Non-Binary Guide to Intimacy, Pleasure, and Relationships by Juno Roche. We'll dive deep into understanding our own needs and ways that pleasure can be detached from CIS heteronormative standards. If you want to take a deep dive into your own pleasure and connect more deeply with your queer body, this book club is for you! We’ll greet one another with video on in support of building a trusting space. Participants are welcome to stay on camera or turn them off after initial greetings as they feel comfortable. Led by Hyacinth Bellerose

Click here to register.

Mondays, September 9–30 

Join us in cultivating a space of creative expression with other Latinas in your community while exploring the healing power of cultural connection and visual story telling through textiles. Using fabric scraps, hand-sewing, and patchwork techniques inspired by Chilean arpilleras and traditional Mexican embroidery, each participant will work towards creating a visual story cloth centered on resilience and healing. No prior sewing experience is necessary; we will support in learning foundational sewing stitches. *This group will be run in a bilingual format in Spanish and English. Led by Alma Molina and Karina Monroy, Clinical Art Therapy Intern.

To register for the group, call 434.328.1800, email bienestar@thewomensinitiative.org.

Tuesdays, September 10–24

Virtually via Zoom.

This group will be a discussion about love based on the bell hooks book, all about love. BIPOC-identifying women are invited to attend and build community with one another through creating a collective definition of love. Participants are encouraged to purchase the book, all about love, ahead of time to use as a reference point. Focused discussion questions from the book will be used to build our collective definition of love. Led by Kishara Griffin, MSW.

Click here to register.

Register once and attend any of the sessions.

Biweekly on Fridays, August 16–September 27

Join us in creating a vibrant collective space where BIPOC LGBTQ individuals can connect, create, and thrive together. Each week will bring an opportunity to socialize, and learn and connect with community through various activities, such as a BIPOC LGBTQ+ filmmaker showcase, artmaking, and more.

Individuals who identify as both BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) are invited to participate. Led by Latricia Giles.

Click here to register.

Register once and attend any of the sessions.

Mondays, September 9–30 

Join us in cultivating a space of creative expression with other Latinas in your community while exploring the healing power of cultural connection and visual story telling through textiles. Using fabric scraps, hand-sewing, and patchwork techniques inspired by Chilean arpilleras and traditional Mexican embroidery, each participant will work towards creating a visual story cloth centered on resilience and healing. No prior sewing experience is necessary; we will support in learning foundational sewing stitches. *This group will be run in a bilingual format in Spanish and English. Led by Alma Molina and Karina Monroy, Clinical Art Therapy Intern.

To register for the group, call 434.328.1800, email bienestar@thewomensinitiative.org.