This summer, why not donate to an organization that provides support to trans folks in need of life-saving support?
It has become clear in recent months that the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is under attack and that Canada must be an advocate and champion for queer and trans people around the world. One of the many organizations committed to affirming care for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and families in Ontario is Trans Wellness Ontario, a mental wellness organization based in Windsor-Essex.
As the only 2SLGBTQIA+-dedicated mental wellness organization in the Windsor-Essex area, their mission is to enhance and sustain the health and wellness of transgender, gender-queer, two-spirit, non-binary, queer and questioning people and their families.
For every act of aggression against this community, Trans Wellness Ontario sees an even greater act of trans resilience and joy. The organization endeavours to foster as much of that resilience and joy as they can through their individual services, peer groups, workshops and events.
“We offer a wide range of services including mental health counselling, case management, service navigation, peer support, groups, an ID clinic, a barrier-free clothing cupboard, and education and consultation services,” says Derrick Biso, Director of Education and Operations at Trans Wellness Ontario. “Our centre offers a supportive and affirming environment to receive services from members and dedicated allies of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities we serve. Our clients can receive the support they need while feeling safe and comfortable enough to express themselves authentically without fear of judgment or discrimination.”
Of course, Trans Wellness Ontario can’t do it alone. According to Meagan Jubenville, Director of Administration and Finance at Trans Wellness, although the organization receives support from many organizations and individuals, every year they still find themselves struggling to secure enough funding to sustain much-needed programs and cover enough of their operating costs to keep their doors open. That’s why, starting this summer, they are encouraging people to join their monthly donor campaign, as well as reinstating their corporate donation program to ensure that they can continue to provide services for those in need.
“Anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate is currently on the rise,” says Jubenville. “From US executive orders targeting the transgender community to backlash against diversity efforts within schools and public institutions, misinformation and hate are fuelling harmful and destructive legislation and rhetoric both domestically and internationally. As a result, our demand for support has become so overwhelming for our small team that we have had to temporarily pause our intake process to prevent our waitlists from growing to over one year.
“As an organization that does not receive core funding and relies almost solely on grants to fund our programs and services, donations are crucial in ensuring that we can maintain our operations and keep our doors open.”
A number of 2SLGBTQI+ centres across the country are being shuttered due to lack of funding, much of it a result of the current culture war that is brewing. Within the last year, a number of prominent national 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations, such as the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity, have closed their doors due to funding constraints.
“This is why donations, especially monthly donations, are so important,” says Jubenville. “They contribute to our organization’s sustainability, help us work towards our goal of expanding our capacity, and help ensure that we will not have to close our doors to the community. Even $5 a month makes a difference, and is greatly appreciated by everyone at our organization! We encourage anyone wanting to support our organization to consider pledging to be a Champion of TWO with a monthly donation, making a one-time donation through Canada Helps or by cheque (made out to Trans Wellness Ontario), and following our social media pages for updates on programs, initiatives and events.”
Whatever the future may bring, both Biso and Jubenville say Trans Wellness Ontario is committed to making sure that the organization continues providing quality, affirming care to 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and families in Ontario.
For more information on Trans Wellness Ontario, visit www.transwellness.ca.
If you would like to start supporting Trans Wellness Ontario, you can visit their donation page and click the “donate monthly” button: www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/80029.
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