Join us for BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month
July is Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Mental Health Awareness Month! To recognize the month, we will be posting content on social media about the intersection of domestic violence, race, and mental health, ways to promote your own mental health, and statistics on how prevalent mental illness is in society.
Staff Spotlight: Annie Baker
Every month, we'll be introducing a new member of our staff. This month's staff spotlight features Annie Baker, our new Underserved Outreach Coordinator!
Q: Who are you, what do you do at PH, and where are you from?
A: "My name is Annie Baker – I’m the Underserved Outreach Coordinator. My work specifically focuses on serving the LGBTQIA+ and African American communities. Sexual and domestic violence survivors within these underserved populations often face additional barriers in accessing help and support. My goal is to bring awareness in the community for the services that Project Horizon offers for these specific groups."
Q: What led you to Lexington and the work you do now?
A: "After receiving my degree in Human Development, I knew I wanted a career to help heal and empower others and Project Horizon was a perfect fit. My husband and I moved to the Lexington area almost a year ago for my husband to continue his education at Southern Virginia University."
Q: What’s the best part of your job?
A: "The best part of my job – where do I start? A few of the things I love are meeting new people in the community, creating connections with other local organizations, and planning community events!"
Q: What’s something most people don’t know about you?
A: "Most people don’t know that I love to go paragliding. I’ve been several times and my favorite place so far has been paragliding over the Austrian Alps."
A look back: Juneteenth in Lexington
After more than a year in lockdown, community members of Rockbridge County and Lexington were ready to get back together. The largest Juneteenth Celebration in Lexington yet, Project Horizon is proud to have played a role in the festivities, and to host the second annual Juneteenth Art Show at the Nelson Gallery.
In addition to the Art Show, there were Kuumba Dance Ensembles, live music from Oasis Island Sounds, a Caribbean-style steel drum ensemble, and a raffle at Hopkins Green in Lexington.
Restaurants around Lexington also offered Restaurant Specials recognizing this year's Juneteenth celebration-- the first time the day was recognized as a state and federal holiday.
Photos courtesy of David Galvez.
The Violence that Binds Us: A One-Time Theatric Event
Directed and written by Associate Professor of Theatre at W&L Stephanie Sandberg, The Violence that Binds Us, a play about the experiences of survivors of domestic and sexual violence, will be performed on August 26th at 7pm at Glen Maury Park in Buena Vista. Project Horizon is pleased to be a community partner on this project and to have several staff members acting in the play.
More information will be released about the performance in our August Newsletter.