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Our community is under attack in every aspect of our lives. We know how to keep us safe and thriving. We are doing the work. Donations go directly into our life saving and life changing efforts.
The YOUnited We Stand Crisis Fund
The YOUnited We Stand Crisis Fund is a vital resource provided by TransYOUniting PGH for transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary individuals. It primarily serves residents of Pittsburgh’s innermost region, Allegheny County, and all of Southwest Pennsylvania as part of our mission to provide comprehensive support for our community, focusing on Black trans folks, especially Black trans women. This “Crisis Fund” also addresses various critical needs faced by trans, nonbinary, or gender-nonconforming individuals, including housing, transportation, access to gender-affirming items, healthcare system navigation, and workforce development and mutual aid- to name a few.
Comprehensive Support: The “Crisis Fund” supports TransYOUniting’s two most significant programs to date: the QMNTY Center and YOUr Haven Collaborative Shelter. The QMNTY Center, now in its second year, is a safe and inclusive space for the trans community to gather, learn, and grow. The “Center” offers a variety of programs designed to meet the immediate and long-term needs of those we serve.
The YOUr Haven Collaborative Shelter: The YOUr Haven Collaborative Shelter is a joint initiative between TransYOUniting PGH and Proud Haven, providing 11 beds for unhoused trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals. As part of TransYOUniting’s directives for the shelter, we prioritize Black trans folks, offering them a secure place to stay and additional support services when needed. Our comprehensive assistance extends beyond housing, including transportation aid, access to essential resources, and ensuring the well-being/empowerment of trans individuals in our care.
Amari Lei Initiative: A fundamental component of our fund is the Amari Lei Initiative, named in memory of 19-year-old Anmari Lei, a vivacious, beautiful trans woman who was tragically taken from us too soon. On her behalf, this initiative provides financial support for the dignified burials of trans-folks. It assists Black trans women in pursuing higher education by offering mini-grants for essential expenses like books, food, school supplies, and more. Through this initiative, we hope to honor Amari Lei’s legacy while addressing a critical gap in support for our trans, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming community.
Through your support of this lifeline for the trans, GNC, and non-binary community, TransYOUniting hopes to expand these essential services. The YOUnited We Stand Crisis Fund relies on the generosity of businesses, organizations, and supporters like you! Please donate today and help build a community where every trans person has the same opportunities as their cis peers. Together, we can make an impact that ensures trans-lives are respected and uplifted for a better future.
"Building Community Brick by Brick..."
- Dena Stanley (Executive Director of TransYOUniting PGH)
This fund is crucial. The following statistics show the Trans Cycle of Violence but do not come close to our lived reality.
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These statistics were taken from Injustice at Every Turn: A Report of the National Survey of Transgender Discrimination.
Employment
29%
of us lose our jobs because we are transgender.
29%
of us lose our jobs because we are transgender.
Housing
19%
of transgender people will become homeless because of our identity.
33%
of unhoused transgender people are forced into sex work.
25%
of us are attacked in homeless shelters
22%
of us are sexually assaulted in homeless shelters
Health and Health Care
49%
of us attempt suicide due to systemic oppression (3800 times more likely than cisgender people).
4X
more likely to be unemployed (for specifically black transgender people)
48%
of us cannot afford health care at some point in our lives.
19%
of us are sexually assaulted in homeless shelters