Project Visibility is a training program developed in 2004 by Boulder County Aging Services, after the agency conducted extensive focus groups with area LGBT elders. These seniors wondered which service providers were “safe and friendly” and feared many could be unwelcoming, even hostile. The goal of Project Visibility is to co-create an aging services community that is informed, sensitive to, and supportive of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender elders. The training is designed for administrators and staff of nursing homes, assisted living residences, home care agencies, and other senior service providers, as well as the friends and families of LGBT elders.
View the Project Visibility trailer:
Why Project Visibility?
Lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender (LGBT) elders are four times less likely to have children, and twice as likely to live alone, yet are five times less likely to access senior services than their heterosexual peers. This lack of support increases the risk of depression, substance abuse, unnecessary institutionalization and premature death. (source: SAGEUSA.org) Currently, it is estimated that 1-3 million Americans over 65 are LGBT. As the baby boomers age, this number will reach 3-7 million by 2030.
Training
Participants in a Project Visibility training will view a 21-minute award-winning film in which courageous LGBT speak about their lives, their strengths, wishes, and concerns about the aging services network. The film’s intention is to educate, counter stereotypes and develop compassionate care for all LGBT persons as they age. An accompanying manual provides history, background information, terminology, resources, and practical suggestions for providing culturally-competent care and service. Trainees will learn the simple necessary steps to insure that their service or agency is LGBT inclusive, plus a special listing in the next edition of Silver Lining, the resource directory for LGBT elders in Boulder County.
In Boulder County, based on the number of older adults in the area, we estimate that there over 3,200 LGBTs that are 60 years or older.
LGBT program for Longmont seniors gets $100,000 grant
2011 Boulder County Training Schedule
Thurs, June 16
Lafayette Police Department
Community Room
451 N. 111th St.
Lafayette CO 80026
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Mon, Sept. 12
Louisville Senior Center
Crown Room
900 Via Appia Way
Louisville CO 80027
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Thurs, Dec. 1
Longmont Senior Center
910 Longs Peak Ave
Longmont CO 80501
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All trainings are free and run from 8:45-11am
To register call 303-441-3583 no later than noon the day prior.
For further information on the training program or to request a free, customized, in-house training, please contact Nancy Grimes, LGBT Program Specialist at ngrimes@bouldercounty.org or call 303-441-3583. Trainings can be as short as 30 minutes or as long as 3 hours.
To order Project Visibility film and training materials:
- $75 for set of two Project Visibility training dvds (13-min. and 21 min. versions) inc. shipping and handling
- $15 for Project Visibility Training Manual and Power Point, inc. electronic versions
- $90 for the package. Bonus: Train-the-Trainer manual in pdf form
Make your check or money order payable to: Aging Services Foundation of Boulder County.
Mail to:
Boulder County Aging Services Division
attn: LGBT Programs
PO Box 471
Boulder, CO 80306
Be sure to enclose complete contact information.
Project Visibility is the winner of two national awards:
- The 2006 n4a (National Association of Area Agencies on Aging) Aging Innovation Awards for Ethnic and Cultural Diversity
- The 2006 NACo (National Association of Counties) Innovation Achievement Award
Project Visibility was developed by Boulder County Aging Services Division, a county government organization in Boulder County, Colorado. Project Visibility is funded and supported in part by: Boulder County Aging Services Division, Aging Services Foundation of Boulder County, The Theodore and Chandos Rice Charitable Foundation, Gill Foundation, and the Open Door Fund, a fund of the Community Foundation of Boulder County.
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