Village Hearth Bakery & Cafe owners are giving back to the community in more ways than just good food - they are looking at ways they can bring people together to support a cause near and dear to them. Stephanie & Lindsay High have formed a non-profit organization, VHBC Pride, INC., based in Jamestown, to unify the community, galvanize support, expand awareness, and increase visibility for the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies. The Board of Directors for VHBC, INC. is made up of a diverse group from within the South County communities who have come together to find a way to create new or boost existing LGBTQIA+ youth programs within Jamestown and Southern Rhode Island.
VHBC Pride, Inc is looking at ways to expand the reach, efforts, and partnerships with local LGBTQIA+ organizations to provide support towards creating an environment where LGBTQIA+ youth can grow up feeling connected, safe, supported, valued, and celebrated. After speaking with several schools and community organizations, they realized that the LGBTQIA+ youth of Jamestown and Southern Rhode Island doesn't have many safe spaces to go where they can be themselves.
The organization will host their first fundraising event this Summer, a Best Ball Golf Tournament, on June 26th. Funds raised at the event will go directly towards Newport Pride whose mission is to build a more welcoming and inclusive LGBTQIA+ community in Newport County, Rhode Island. Daniel Cano Restrepo, Executive Director for the non-profit, shares with us. “These funds will support the launching of our new Pride Center (42 Spring St) which will allow us to support a wide part of our LGBTQIA+ community including youth. We are beyond grateful to VHBC for their support. More on what we do at Newportprideri.org”.
Last year, Village Hearth Bakery & Cafe sold rainbow sweet treats to raise money for LGBTQIA+ youth programs which helped fund GSA (Genders & Sexualities Alliances) in Newport County, which are organizations that unite LGBTQIA+ and allied youth to build a community and support around issues that impact them within their own schools and communities. "While we want to continue these efforts, we also realize that the LGBTQIA+ youth in our own backyard (Jamestown and Southern Rhode Island) need programs such as these as well. We hope our future fundraising efforts will do just that.", says VHBC Pride's President, Lindsay Haigh.
The cost per golfer is $100, including a cart for the course's beautiful scenery. Those interested in joining in on the afternoon celebrations may also purchase tickets for $40, which includes food and participation in the raffle, silent auction, and tournament awards. Local Jamestown restaurants will sponsor food, and a cash bar will be available at the Clubhouse.
Those interested in sponsorship opportunities are asked to connect with the group via email (vhbcpride@gmail.com).