The Oogachaga support group aims to help women who seek to come to terms with their sexual identity and who want to achieve a healthy integration of their sexual identity into their lives. The support group sessions aim at developing awareness of the self, relationships, community and resources available.
The sessions, like those from the first run is titled "Finding The Me Within." The aim of these sessions is for you, the participant, to engage in a process of self discovery and understanding through the sharing of views and what you take away from each of your life experience. You will also be listening to what the other women participants have to share. In the sessions, we shall be focusing on each of your experiences in coming out, relationships with partners, family and work. We shall also be touching on how the law affects us and benefits us, sexual health and the different resources and assistance available.
As was intended with the first group, when the 10 sessions are over, you and the other women participants from this group can form an informal support group to continue being a source of support for each other.
What It Takes
Commitment in time, commitment to have an open mind, commitment to play it fully. For many of you, this will be the first time being in a support group. How much you gain from it correlates directly with how much of yourself you allow to give.
When
Run 2 starts in June 2006 with 10 sessions carried out on 2 Saturdays each month, starting in June 2006 and finishing in October 2006.
Group Size
Strictly no more than 12 women.
What past participants say:
"What has probably proven life-changing for me is the mere act of having participated in these discussions and the various social activities. That was a very practical way of learning to acknowledge my sexuality in the larger context of the life I lead. I feel that I have taken an irrevocable step. It is in some ways like climbing up and out of a cellar and finding (to one's delight) that the steps leading back down have crumbled to dust; there is no way back down."
"The group became a playground where I could just be my fun-loving self with a group of buddies who, just like me have their own share of hang-ups and idiosyncrasies. It was good to laugh at myself and at one another. The way we united in our diversity was amazing. Sharing one's experiences was good for my spirit and bonded us in friendship'.
"I have opened my eyes to important issues happening to women that need to be addressed. The experiences and knowledge that I've gained from OC Women are truly inspiring and empowering. I hope many others will get a chance to experience the support and comfort that OC Women has given me."
"OC Women support group has been effective in providing a safe and non-judging environment for its participants to discuss issues of the heart and mind. I discovered that even though each of our lives is unique, the challenges and gifts we face are varied and yet similar. Learning about the life paths and choices of some the participants has been humbling. If you push your limits and play it 100%, the group sessions will more often than not surpass your expectations."
For more info or to indicate interest, please email OCWomen@oogachaga.com no later than 20 May 2006. To know more about Oogachaga, please click on the link below.