MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
March 30, 2012
Nathan Svoboda, president@sanjosepride.com
San Jose PRIDE and BREATHE Present Ash Kickers
By Eydie Mendoza
Gay PRIDE Celebration Committee of San Jose, Inc. (GPCCSJ. Inc.) and BREATHE California of the Bay Area present Ash Kickers, a six week smoking cessation program. Made possible with funding from Breathe California BREATHE California and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
San Jose PRIDE and BREATHE partnered to offer people of the LGBTQ community who want to quit smoking the opportunity to learn best practices and self-help tools. Classes are catered to the LGBT community, although all are welcome, and begin April 18 and end May 23, Wednesday evenings from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ Community Center.
“This is a tangible life changing opportunity for individuals in our community who want to quit smoking. We are providing a safe environment full of community support; informative curriculums over six classes and free nicotine replacement therapy to assist with individual cessation. I am thrilled to be a part of this community offer,” says Roman Fernando, San Jose PRIDE’s Vice-President and Community Outreach Chair, who is committed to LGBT community programming that is relevant, self-improving, and accessible to all.
Program participants will also get support and camaraderie among classmates who also choose to lead healthy smoke-free lives.
The class is led by trained facilitators who conduct the program and are available for support at anytime. Facilitators cover topics such as dealing with stress, what to do in tempting situations and nutritional education. They work to help each person achieve the ultimate goal of quitting and staying quit.
President and CEO of Breathe California Margo Sidener states “We are excited to work with PRIDE as they serve a population that is targeted by the tobacco industry and has one of our highest rates of smoking. Together, I believe that we can make a real difference!”
“I feel the best way to build community is through collaborative partnerships with friends and allies,” adds Program Assistant at Breathe California Jo-Lynn Otto, who is the class facilitator.
Sign-up via email outreach@sanjosepride.com to reserve your seat (space is limited).
The Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center is located at 938 The Alameda in San Jose, Calif. Classes will be held in Room C.
To learn more about San Jose PRIDE, Like us on Facebook, or visit our web sitewww.sanjosepride.com.