Community Action & Advocacy
As an organization that offers ongoing support to queer communities, WAF understands that we must acknowledge and address how a wide variety of social issues including healthcare access and homelessness impact the people we serve.
A WAF representative serves as a member of the following committees/coalitions:
Photo Credit: Reese Moore Photography
SC United for Justice & Equality:
a coalition of South Carolina organizations that advocate for the passage of legislation to protect LGBTQ community members. The coalition also works on intersecting issues of social justice, including racial justice, reproductive justice, voting rights, and health care access.
Sexual Health Awareness, (STI) Prevention & Education (SHAPE) Tri-County Initiative group:
a public health collaboration that provides a range of community testing, service resources, and sexual health campaigns to Lowcountry residents, medical professionals, and businesses. SHAPE Tri-County aims to reduce HIV and STI rates in the region by engaging in coordinated, evidence-based initiatives and fostering a community-level approach to treatment and prevention efforts through two workgroups focusing on clinical/surveillance and communications/marketing.
SHAPE Subcommittee: The Charleston Area World AIDS Day Committee
Annual Events: World AIDS Day Community Candlelight Vigil, World AIDS Day Community Breakfast Symposium, Charleston Area Sexual Health Initiative: Project Condom
South Carolina Coalition for Healthy Families:
a network of organizations that advocates, educates and collaborates to expand access to sexual and reproductive health information, services, and rights for all South Carolinians
Southeastern Alliance for Reproductive Equity (SEARE):
a regional partnership working together to align Reproductive Rights, Health, and Justice organizations serving diverse communities in the Southeast. (WAF does not serve as an anchor organization, yet is a part of SEARE’s alliance building efforts throughout the Southeast)
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Charleston Advisory Board:
an organization that values all members of the family affected by issues related to mental health. NAMI provides programs for individuals with a mental health condition and their family members, friends, and others who provide care and support for them. Our presentations, support groups, and education classes are free.