Queer World Making was founded in collaboration with Angus Baguinho and Solace Pesach since Fall of 2020 in San Francisco. Queer World Making’s mission is to facilitate intimate cohorts of gender-blessed, transgender, non-binary and questioning adolescents who gather in exploration of personal and collective flourishing, through nature-connection, art practice, and circle process. In support of this mission they also hold affirming, skill-building councils for the incredible parents of their incredible youth and bring in non-binary and gender-blessed elders whenever possible.

The guiding tenants in this work are intergenerational relationships, rites of passage, expressive arts, nature connection, honoring trancestors, and queer and trans community. The roots of this mentorship program, however, extend well beyond that, to the countless experiences both Solace and Angus have had of being viscerally and spiritually called to this work of helping to raise gender-blessed god-children, niblings, neighbors, and descendents. 

Angus and Solace are honored to receive the support and follow the leadership of Weaving Earth, a center for nature-based, relational education for action.

At this time they are directing one in-person program, centered in the San Francisco Bay Area, that combines monthly online meetings with monthly daylongs in nature. Their second season launches, in-person on Saturday, December 4th, 2021.

Queer World Making / in-person cohort application : https://weavingearth.org/queer-world-making/apply-in-person/

Beginning in January, 2022 they will be launching a virtual cohort of non-binary and gender-blessed youth. This completely online program will weave together healing arts, reverence of nature, community belonging, intergenerational relationships, and parent support.

Queer World Making / virtual cohort application : https://weavingearth.org/queer-world-making/apply-virtual/

“While my work with queer and trans youth does not center girls, I have found that belonging to Golden Girls Global has connected me with powerful leaders who understand the necessity of building solidarity between girls and transgender youth. I believe it is incredibly important to foster community between all genders that have been marginalized by patriarchy and sexism and Golden Girls Global is here, willing and eager to listen and learn. As a SomaSource student I apply teachings about embodiment, life-cycle development, emotions, and creativity that I have learned from Melissa Michaels and other Golden Bridge leaders into my work with my non-binary youth every single day.” ~ Angus Baguinho, Co-Facilitator of Queer World Making

RECENT CHALLENGES

• MENTAL HEALTH - Largely due to the isolation brought about by Covid, they had to respond to higher incidences of self-harm and eating disorders. Thus more access to personal and social resources and adding one-on-one support when necessary was needed.
• VIRTUAL MEETINGS - Being a nature-based program, they found transitioning to virtual meetings challenging at first, but then welcomed the creativity and community that was fostered in those spaces. 
  

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• RITE OF PASSAGE - In June they completed an overnight, rite-of-passage, nature experience with their 2020-2021 cohort of 8 non-binary youth along the Russian River on the land and waters of the Kashaya and Pomo peoples. 
• COMMUNITY - Throughout last year they were able to weave a tight, intergenerational net around their young people, which included their mentors, an elder who both told and encouraged stories, their parents who received extra support in how to ally with and respect their children, and finally their transgender ancestors, who gave them courage to keep embracing themselves and each other.
  

GOALS FOR NEXT YEAR

• Start one or two new virtual cohorts in January, 2022.
• Bring on more non-binary and gender-blessed elders and mentors.
• Lay the curricular and organizational groundwork for an entire constelation of both in-person and virtual Queer World Making groups for the future.

Black Girls Rising was founded by Xoli Fuyani in 2020 in South Africa (However, it has been in existence since 2015 under Earth Child Project). Their mission is to Inspire and empower Black Girls from marginalised communities to be Bold, Brave, and Rise beyond their circumstances. Black Girls Rising creates a community where girls are seen and given space to amplify their voices. They expose girls to new possibilities by breaking down barriers, giving them a window to dream and tools to realize their dreams.

The needs of young black girls are often overlooked. There are a lot of girls who fall through the cracks due to a lack of support and education. When girls are seen and given a safe space to be, they can dream and make positive decisions. Deep transformation takes time. They do not believe in one-off programs. Black Girls Rising offers a program that journeys with them through their childhood until adolescence.

Their work also carries embodiment! They work from within and take their girls through an embodied journey from a girl to a young woman. Through mindfulness, 5rhythms, sharing circles, and yoga, the facilitators teach them to listen and hear the communication their body is giving them so that they can respond. They empower them to learn how to balance their emotions to express and know that their bodies are temples. They help them to be in relationship with all aspects of life and to own their power, and trust their inner wisdom.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Black Girls Rising is now a recognized registered NPC and has identified diverse Board Members whose lives align with the vision and have also watched the work since the beginning.  
• The organization set up a High School Scholarship Fund from a funding opportunity from Golden Girls Global, The Fielding University Douvan Award for work at the intersection of human development and social justice. Research shows that when you educate a girl, you advance a nation. Yet, worldwide, millions of girls lack the access and opportunity to go to school. To bridge the gap, they offer scholarships to selected girl leaders to increase their chances, thus breaking social barriers to equip girls to grow up healthy, educated, and independent. 
• With the support of Golden Girls Global they have received monthly essential hygiene care for our girls including menstrual pads, sanitisers. As well as our monthly session for our mentee group.
  

GOALS FOR NEXT YEAR

• The focus for 2021 has been building a solid structure for their organization. Black Girls Rising is now a recognized registered NPC and has identified diverse Board Members whose lives align with the vision and have also watched the work since the beginning. They are looking forward to strengthening their governments, enabling them to source proper funding for their projects and expand their work. 
• Expanding their offerings to 6 year old girls to give them a solid foundation in their primary education. 
• Launching the organisation and hiring a team to help move their work forward. 
• Long term goals are to Partner with Global Fund for Women and UNFPA.