Two organizations close to my heart are gearing up for major community events. First up, The Benji Project [thebenjiproject.org], which runs mindfulness and self-compassion programs for Jefferson County teens, will hold its major annual fundraiser, Festival of Hearts, on Saturday, May 10 at the Northwest Maritime Center.

Founded in 2017 by Cynthia Osterman, The Benji Project is all heart. Its name derives from Osterman's late son, Benji. An extremely talented and engaged young person who was extremely hard on himself, Benji died by suicide at age 15. After his passing, his mother reflected on the need of teenagers (and their parents) to cultivate kindness toward themselves, and resolved to create programs that would help give teenagers tools to navigate life's many challenges without beating themselves up.

Since its inception, The Benji Project has worked with more than 1900 young people across Jefferson County. Its year-round programs include in-school, after-school and summer programs. Sliding scale tuition is central to its mission, and no one has ever been turned away for lack of funds. The Benji Project even provides free transportation to its summer camps for South County residents.

"We are continuously working with the different communities in Jefferson County to figure out the best ways to serve our youth," Benji Project executive director Heather McRae-Woolf told me. "Our programs are ever-evolving and ever-changing.

"Three summers ago, after we received multiple requests for a program designed specifically for LGBTQ youth, we launched our Pride version of our week-long Mindfulness in Motion camp. It's the only camp on the Olympic Peninsula that serves the Queer youth population, and we're very committed to it."

As one of many presenters at last summer's Benji Project Pride Camp, I witnessed first-hand the devotion to mindfulness, self-love, and compassion that the project's staff and counselors pattern for teenagers. That's why I'm really jazzed about this year's Festival of Hearts.

In collaboration with Chef Aaron Stark, the event will create bites that are particularly compelling to the senses.

"We want people to experience a bit of what we do in our programs," McRae-Woolf said. "Each Festival of Hearts is a journey through the senses. This year, we're focusing on the sense of sight—on our internal and external vision." Which means that whatever Stark serves up is going to look as compelling as it tastes.

"Attendees will experience enjoyable things that are related to mindfulness and the benefits young people derive from these concepts and experiences. Because we're focusing on the sense of sight, we'll have a mural, painted by Northwind artist Meg Kaczyk, that will serve as the foundation of a collective art project that attendees contribute to."

Another of Port Townsend's many treasures, the multi-talented Tomoki Sage, will premiere a short video created by some of the Benji Project teenagers whom he works with. The video will explore teenagers' inner voices and activities they've been involved in.

As you contemplate The Benji Project, please keep in mind that 20% of its funding comes from the state, which depends on federal funding to hold its budget together. With WA State currently in our dear "the wages of sin is death" President's line of fire, The Benji Project is one of many local non-profits that cannot survive without increased local support. Which means that you'd be wise to get your tickets to Festival of Hearts 2025 soon, because how can you survive if you don't fill yourself with food and love? The logic may be a bit faulted, but as my dear departed Jewish mother might have said, the food will more than compensate.

Jumping ahead a month, The Port Townsend Film Festival [https://ptfilm.org/events/films-with-pride], under the direction of the fabulous Danni McClelland, will launch Port Townsend's first-ever Films with Pride mini-festival this June. Centered around this year's fabulous annual Port Townsend Pride, scheduled for June 7 in Pope Marine Park, Films with Pride will show the Queer cult Classic "But I'm a Cheerleader" on June 6 at 7 p.m., and the brand new "Assembly" on Sunday, June 8 at 1 p.m.

Why tell you now? Thanks to the support of Key City Public Theatre's Denise Winter, both showings are at their 77-seat theater. Those who don't reserve seats ASAP are destined to either sit out on the curb, waiving their Pride flags, or beg for an encore showing.

"The Film Festival, along with Port Townsend Pride and The Production Alliance, want to other types of opportunities for the Queer community and allies to get together, learn, and explore and celebrate Queer identity," McClelland said. "It's especially important in this moment when there are so many threats to solidarity within the community and attacks from without.

"The Port Townsend Film Festival believes that film is one of the best ways to explore and expand our understanding together as a community. It is one of the best ways to spark conversation, education and learning. For that reason, we even have free tickets available through the Peter Simpson Free Cinema Fund for those experiencing hardship."

For those inclined to take the Film Festival to task for its sometimes serious tone, McClelland offered assurances. The first film is a campy satire on gay conversion camps. Starring an entire group of comedic actors, it is intended to get the party going early. The second, which they describe as "an amazing documentary of a collaborative process that was informed by Queer and African American history," will enable viewers to explore and discuss what's happening right now.

"Assembly" was created by African American Gay artist Rashaad Newsome, who was commissioned by New York's Park Avenue Armory to do a multi-media performance event that included performers from all over the country. Filmed on site, Newsome's wild ride explores ways that voguing has combined with different kind of folk and classic dance to inspire collaboration between Black Queer performers and artists.

"At a time when Queer and Trans people are under attack and feeling very vulnerable, we are urging the community to step forward and support Port Townsend Pride, The Production Alliance that produces Pride, and the Pride Film Festival," McClelland said. "Donating to the Port Townsend Film Festival, which pays for tech, screen rights, and equipment, sends a message to all that the Port Townsend community supports LGBTQ+ Pride."

Jason Victor Serinus is a critic of culture, music, and audio. A longtime advocate for rights, equality, and freedom, he is also a professional whistler. Column tips: jvsaisi24@gmail.com