District Governor - Rtn. Manjoo Phadke
Jun-2024
Editor - Rtn. Madhur Dolare

Beyond Colours: Rotary Club of Pune Camp Launches LGBT Helpline Initiative Back

In celebration of LGBT Pride Month, the Rotary Club of Pune Camp has launched a groundbreaking initiative, "Beyond Colours: Support for Every Shade,". This project builds upon the success of Project Indradhanush and aims to provide comprehensive support and services to the LGBT community through the establishment of an LGBT Helpline.

Collaborative Effort: This initiative has garnered the support of several esteemed Rotary Clubs, including:

  • Rotary Club Pimpri Elite
  • Rotary Club Chinchwad Pune
  • Rotary E Club Pune Diamond
  • Rotary Club Pune Koregaon Park
  • Rotary Club of Pune Downtown
  • Rotary Club of Pune Shivajinagar
  • Rotary Club of Khadki

Goals and Services: The LGBT Helpline is designed to offer a wide range of critical services to the LGBT community, such as:

  1. Parent and Children Counseling
  2. HIV Testing
  3. LGBT Sensitization
  4. Skill Development and Employment Opportunities
  5. Entrepreneurship Development
  6. Finding Shelter for the Abandoned

Implementation Strategy: The initiative has successfully enlisted 10 experts from various fields and received significant support from multiple corporates. These experts will provide their expertise to help achieve the helpline's objectives.

Key Action Plan:

  1. Establish a reliable helpline service accessible to the LGBT community.
  2. Conduct training sessions for helpline operators to ensure sensitivity and effectiveness in handling diverse issues.
  3. Collaborate with healthcare facilities to provide HIV testing services.
  4. Organize workshops and awareness programs to sensitize the public and workplaces about LGBT issues.
  5. Facilitate skill development and employment opportunities through partnerships with businesses and organizations.
  6. Provide entrepreneurship development support to encourage self-reliance within the LGBT community.
  7. Establish networks and resources to assist in finding shelter for those abandoned or in need.

Monitoring and Evaluation: The effectiveness of the helpline and its services will be regularly monitored and evaluated. User and stakeholder feedback will be collected to continuously enhance and refine the initiative.

Conclusion: "Beyond Colours: Support for Every Shade," led by the Rotary Club of Pune Camp and supported by its partners, represents a significant step towards inclusivity and support for the LGBT community. By offering essential services and raising awareness, this initiative aims to foster a more accepting and supportive environment for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

This initiative not only demonstrates the Rotary Club of Pune Camp's commitment to diversity and inclusion but also serves as a beacon of hope and support for the LGBT community, ensuring that help is just a call away.