Pete

Aging with Pride (AWP) has recently started a monthly coffee hour. AWP has a needs assessment link, and one common thread was the need for a conversation group. The AWP Coffee Hour is at 1 PM on the third Thursday of each month at Werner Books at Liberty Plaza, 3608 Liberty St, Erie, PA. There is no set topic; it is open to the individuals who attend! Please feel free to join us! Our Needs Assessment Survey is on our website: www.agingwithprideerie.org. You are most welcome to fill it out by clicking on Survey.

Aging with Pride hosts a monthly dinner social at various local restaurants. We had the pleasure of welcoming Erie County Executive Christina Vogel and Erie Mayor Daria Devlin to our March 26 dinner at Donato's. Each of them spoke about their plans for their time in office and answered questions from our group of 30 attendees. They each stressed the need for city and county governments to work together to build a better community. Both elected officials applaud the work of Aging with Pride and look forward to attending other events of our group. Why not join us at a future dinner? Contact Pete at 814.384.9785.

Each year, May 16 has been designated National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day. It is a day to honor the activism and bravery of the more seasoned members of the LGBTQ+ Community. Locally, Aging with Pride (AWP) is a group that provides a variety of activities for the LGBTQ+ individuals living in NW PA. Activities include dinners, book club, game nights, movie nights, coffee hours, educational programs, and more! The AWP Legacy Project documents interviews with many of the elders in our community, often including the early days of activism for the LGBTQ+ Community. Please join us for a Sharing Session at 2:30 PM on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Werner Books in the Liberty Plaza. Open to all ages! What have some of the elders done or been through? Are there individuals who inspired you? Please join us even if only to listen!! If the weather is nice, we will be outside in the courtyard! For questions about the Sharing Session, please contact Pete at 814.384.9785.

On Saturday, Jan 24th, Aging With Pride held its monthly meal outing at Give-a-Crepe, 1909 Chestnut St in Erie. We were honored to have a special guest, Dr. Tyler Titus, President of the Erie City Council. We were able to open a discussion on the possibility of developing multigenerational cooperation with the various LGBTQ+ organizations in the community. Please contact Pete Genco at (814) 384-9785 for more info and to learn about our monthly events. Please visit our website at agingwithprideerie.org

Aging With Pride (AWP) likes to acknowledge individuals and/or businesses that demonstrate their commitment to the senior members of the LBTGQ+ Community. On 2/15/26, the Recognition Award was presented to Dale Allgeier, owner of Lake Erie Counseling, which caters to the diverse needs of our community. Dale is a licensed Clinical Social Worker and Therapist. He also started Aging with Pride - Erie (agingwithprideerie.org). Over the past few years, AWP has grown into a very active and viable group in Erie, sponsoring monthly activities and educational programs focused mostly on the "seasoned" members of our community.

From Peter Genco: As a city of Erie resident, I had the opportunity to meet with our new Mayor, Daria Devlin, on January 9, 2026. I spent most of our time talking about Aging With Pride. Mayor Devlin was pleased with the work we are doing, including our monthly programs, Legacy Project, archives project, our recognition awards, and our cooperation with organizations in other cities. She was also happy to hear about Bears Do Dinner, which has been meeting since 2013!

Aging with Pride (AWP) acknowledges individuals and/or businesses who demonstrate their commitment to assisting the "seasoned" members of the LGBTQ+ Community. On November 30, 2025, AWP presented a Recognition Award to Erin Phillips, Managing Editor of Erie Reader. She wrote an article in the June 2025 issue titled "Aging With Pride: Erie's Queer Senior Social Club". She interviewed several members of AWP and provided a well-received informational article about the group and the social needs of the elders in our community.

Aging with Pride likes to acknowledge individuals and/or businesses who demonstrate their commitment to assisting the "seasoned" members of the LGBTQ+ Community. On October 9, 2025, AWP presented this Recognition Award to the owners and staff of Werner Books & Coffee, 3608 Liberty St, Erie, PA 16508. The entire staff of this establishment has warmly welcomed AWP and hosts our monthly Game Night, Monthly Book Club, and other special events for AWP and other LGBTQ+ groups. Shout out to Kyle Churman and his wife, Lauren Shoemaker, owners of Werner Books & Coffee!