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5 Ways to Find Community
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5 Ways to Find Community

Community has become a bit of a buzzword lately, but it’s never felt harder to find and/or build. Especially as adults, building those connections can feel awkward, time-consuming, or even impossible. 

If you haven’t already, you can check out my earlier post on How to Build Belonging in a Disconnected World, where I unpack how to build that community that a lot of us long for.

As promised, here are real, tangible ways to start finding community.

  • Be a Beginner Somewhere

Being a beginner gives you permission to be curious, humble, and open, all of which make connecting with others a bit easier.

Try: 

  1. A new art class (ceramics, watercolor, crochet)

  2. A new workout class (yoga, pilates, climbing, cycling)

  3. A new sport (pickleball, tennis, soccer, basketball)

  4. Exploring a new park and chatting up the parkgoers 

  5. Visiting a new spiritual or religious community

  • Seek Out Neighborhood Places

Community grows where you show up regularly so the more familiar your face becomes, the easier connection starts to flow.

Try: 

  1. Bringing your pup to the local dog park and chatting with other pet parents

  2. Sitting at the bar and talking to the bartender and/or regulars

  3. Becoming a “regular” at your preferred local coffee shop

  4. Attending your local library events

  5. Joining a trivia night or local sports viewing event

  6. Shopping small and connecting with the owners

  • Practice Initiating

Most people are waiting to be invited, so instead of waiting, take action and take the first step.

Try:

  1. (If you have kids), inviting another parent for coffee or a park playdate

  2. Hosting a game night or potluck

  3. Working from a coworking space instead of home

  4. Hosting a neighborhood block party

  5. Becoming a pen pal

  6. Inviting your partner’s friend’s partner for a double date

  • Two Birds, One Scone: Volunteer

Giving back creates natural, values-based connections. You’ll meet people who care about the same things you do, without having to do the small-talk to find out.

Try:

  1. Organizing a local food or donation drive

  2. Volunteering at a summer camp or after-school program

  3. Joining an advocacy or mutual-aid group

  4. Hosting a clothing swap

  5. Joining the board or committee of a local organization

  • Find Community Within Your Interests

Start where you already feel in your element. Community is often built around shared passions that give people something meaningful to talk about and do together.

For:

  1. Gardeners: Join a community garden where you plant on your own plot, but grow alongside others

  2. Athletes: Join a running or walking club, a recreational sports league, or a climbing gym

  3. Crafters: Attend workshops or host a craft night

  4. Readers: Join or start a book club

  5. Bakers: Take a cooking class or host a baking night with friends

Just like all living things need sunlight, we need connection. Our sunlight isn’t just the star in the sky, it’s each other. We were never meant to do life alone so start small, be intentional, show up authentically, and let it unfold at its own pace. You belong wherever you show up.

  • Sam Villarreal, MS, LPC, LCDC

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Queer Resources in Fort Worth and Nationwide: Support for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC Communities
Queer, Queer-Affirming, BIPOC, Fort Worth, Texas, LGBTQIA+ Sam Villarreal Queer, Queer-Affirming, BIPOC, Fort Worth, Texas, LGBTQIA+ Sam Villarreal

Queer Resources in Fort Worth and Nationwide: Support for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC Communities

Whether you’re looking for mental health support, connection, housing resources, or just community, you deserve access to spaces that see all of who you are. Below are some resources in Fort Worth and beyond that offer affirming, community care for LGBTQIA+ folks, including BIPOC and QTPOC (queer and trans people of color) communities.

🌈 Fort Worth and DFW Queer Resources

  1. LGBTQ Saves

    • A Fort Worth-based nonprofit offering safe spaces for LGBTQ youth to express themselves and build community. They offer virtual and in-person meetups, mentorship programs, family support, and emergency funds.

    • 🌐 https://www.lgbtqsaves.org/

  2. Finn’s Place

    • A community center in Fort Worth for trans and gender-diverse people to gather, grow, and flourish. They work to provide a safe space for the trans community to gather and access resources, educate the community about trans and LGBTQ+ people and their experiences, and create opportunities for trans joy.

    • 🌐 https://www.finnsplacetx.org/ 

  3. Abounding Prosperity Inc. (Dallas)

    • Founded to address health, social, and economic disparities impacting Black LGBTQIA+ communities. Services include HIV prevention, mental health, food, housing assistance, and a drop-in center.

    • 🌐 https://aboundingprosperity.org/ 

  4. Resource Center (Dallas)

    • One of the largest LGBTQIA+ community centers in Texas, offering services ranging from health and wellness programs to advocacy, support groups, and HIV services.

    • 🌐 https://myresourcecenter.org/ 

  5. Prism Health North Texas

    • An inclusive health center providing sexual health care, HIV prevention and treatment, and behavioral health services.

    • 🌐 https://www.phntx.org/ 

  6. Trinity Pride FW

    • More than just an annual celebration, they are a hub for community events, local advocacy, and visibility throughout the year.

    • 🌐 https://trinitypridefw.org/ 

  7. Housing Resources

    • Housing Crisis Center - Offers housing support and case management in the DFW area.

    • 🌐 https://homepoint.org/

🌎 Nationwide Queer and BIPOC Resources

  1. The Trevor Project

    • Support for LGBTQ youth under 25, including a 24/7 crisis line, text/chat support, and an online community platform.

    • 📞 1-866-488-7386 | 🌐 https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ 

  2. Trans Lifeline

    • Peer support run by and for trans people. Also offers microgrants and resources for name/gender marker changes.

    • 📞 877-565-8860 | 🌐 https://translifeline.org/ 

  3. LGBT National Help Center

    • Offers free and confidential support lines, youth and senior hotlines, and weekly chatrooms for connection.

    • 📞 1-888-843-4564 | 🌐 https://lgbthotline.org/ 

  4. PFLAG

    • The nation’s largest organization for LGBTQ+ people, their families, and allies — offering local chapters, education, and advocacy.

    • 🌐 https://pflag.org/ 

  5. Desi LGBTQ+ Helpline for South Asians

    • Support for South Asian LGBTQ+ individuals in the United States

    • 📞 908-367-3374 | 🌐https://www.deqh.org/ 

  6. NQAPIA

    • Federation of LGBTQ+ Asian Americans, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Organizations

    • 🌐 https://www.nqapia.org/ 

  7. The Okra Project

    • Provides meals and wellness support to Black trans people and now also offers emergency funding and therapy sessions.

    • 🌐 https://www.theokraproject.com/ 

  8. BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective)

    • Focuses on mental health access and healing for Black communities with LGBTQ+ inclusive resources, training, and healing spaces.

    • 🌐 https://beam.community/ 

Finding support as a queer person can be hard, but you are not alone. If you’re in Texas and seeking queer-affirming and trauma-informed therapy, I’d be honored to connect with you. Feel free to reach out here.

  • Sam Villarreal

Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor Associate supervised by Melinda Porter, LPC-S

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