Twelve6 Strategies

07/21/2026

Mathew McCollough was a passionate advocate serving as both the Director of the DC Office of Disability Rights (ODR) and the Executive Director of the DC Developmental Disabilities Council. He believed we should all be treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive!

As part of our 25th anniversary, we are proud to announce the inaugural “Mathew McCollough Advocate of the Year Award”. The award will be given to someone who is doing impactful work in the DC area. We are currently accepting nominations.
Do you know someone in the DC area making a difference for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities? His widow, Melissa will present the award at our anniversary gala on August 15th.

--Take a moment to submit your nomination today: https://bit.ly/2026MathewMcColloughAdvocateoftheYearAward.

--Join us on August 15th to honor Mathew's work and twenty-five years of Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities. Early bird tickets are on sale now: https://bit.ly/2026QualityTrustGalaTickets.

04/26/2026

Savanna Wanzer’s legacy is woven into the very fabric of DC Black Pride, DC Trans Pride, DC Black Trans Pride, and the movement for Black Trans visibility, safety, and joy.

As a trailblazing transgender activist, educator, and founder of DC Trans Pride, DC Black Trans Pride, and May Is All About Trans, Savanna created and led transformative transgender programming during DC Black Pride that ensured trans voices, stories, leadership, and lived experiences were centered, celebrated, and protected.

Her work was not just about representation; it was about liberation, community, and making sure Black Trans lives were honored in rooms, stages, policies, and movements that too often overlooked them.

The Center for Black Equity honors Savanna with deep gratitude, love, and reverence. Her vision continues to guide us. Her courage continues to inspire us. Her impact will continue to live through every person, every Pride, and every space made more possible because she dared to lead.

Rest in power, SaVanna Wanzer. Your light remains with us.

10/14/2024

New research shows Black social workers experience higher rates of depression and anxiety. NASW-Tennessee member and assistant professor Carmen Reese Foster, DSW, LMSW, LSSW, of the University of Tennessee, noted her research team conducted a study to assess social workers’ symptoms of depression, anxiety, discrimination-related trauma. Read more in the NASW Social Work Advocates magazine, https://buff.ly/3YiHgjT

08/17/2024

National Recovery Month Toolkit
2024
https://www.samhsa.gov/recovery-month/toolkit

05/24/2024

Nearly half of older adults take at least five drugs daily, and the side effects can add up.

Adults are taking more medications than ever, putting them at risk for medication overload. Learn the signs and when to ask for a medication review.

03/24/2024

Share your experiences and contribute to research by and for trans communities! In partnership with researchers from UW-Milwaukee and UT Knoxville, FORGE is conducting a study to look at trans and nonbinary people's experiences with stressful events. Anyone who is 18 or older and trans or nonbinary is welcome to participate. The survey is online, anonymous, and takes about 60 minutes to complete.

Take the survey today at http://forge.tips/futures-survey! We also encourage you to share this survey with anyone you may know who might qualify to participate, or organizations or service providers who work with trans communities. Help us get the word out!



[Image: On a blue grid background, a photo of a transmasculine person with short dark hair petting a cat on their lap. Text: "Online survey: Trans/Nonbinary Experiences with Stressful Events. We are looking for individuals who: Identify as transgender or nonbinary; Are 18 or older. http://forge.tips/futures-survey." FORGE logo. UWM logo. UT Knoxville logo.]

11/07/2023

Su***de prevention advocate develops program, with medallions for milestones, to help people rebuild their lives after a su***de attempt.