Feel Good Friday - The Venture Out Project

Not only is June LGBTQ+ Pride Month, it’s also summer and a perfect time to get out and explore nature. What a great day to learn about today’s organization, The Venture Out Project.

Founded in 2014 by Perry Cohen, and headquartered in Florence, Massachusetts, the mission of The Venture Out Project (TVOP) is “to provide a safe and fun space for queer, trans, and LGBTQ+ people to experience the outdoors.” They do this by leading backpacking and wilderness trips for the queer and transgender community, and by conducting transgender inclusion workshops for educators, adventure professionals, and summer camps.

You can sign up for overnight adventures like campouts, rafting or forest bathing or if you’d like to test the waters before bringing your tent, there are plenty of volunteer-led day hikes across the country and skill building workshops in New England. This 15-minute documentary produced by REI gives a great overview of the trips and how impactful it can be for people to show up as their full selves in community with others. Participants get to enjoy nature and forge lifelong bonds while making unforgettable memories.

In addition to leading these outdoor adventures, TVOP “offers educational programs and services to those looking to make their existing programming more inclusive and affirming of trans and gender diverse people.”  

Since they began, The Venture Out Project has become a nationally recognized nonprofit supporting LGBTQ+ community building and challenge-based personal development outdoors. TVOP volunteers have led over 50 adventures for more than 500 LGBTQ+ participants from across the globe.  

If you’re interested in getting outdoors, take a look at the trip descriptions and sign up for one that fits your schedule and your interests. If you’re Wilderness First Aid certified, consider becoming a volunteer and leading a trip. Or, if you prefer to support TVOP from the comfort of home, there ways you can do that too. Shop for merch, make a donation and amplify their work on social media by following The Venture Out Project on Facebook and Instagram.

Feel Good Friday - Stonewall Community Foundation

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month and what better way to celebrate than to highlight work being done by the Stonewall Community Foundation.

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in New York City, the Stonewall Community Foundation “strengthens the LGBTQ community and Movement by making strategic, values-driven investments in dynamic organizations, projects, and leaders.”

The organization is named after the uprising at the Stonewall Inn in 1969 that gave birth to the gay rights movement in the U.S. The founders were inspired by the growth of LGBTQ nonprofits during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s and wanted to create a foundation “where loss could inspire legacy and the power of individual giving could be amplified”.

As a public foundation, Stonewall raises money and funds over 200 nonprofits every year in over 30 issue areas that advance queer liberation, including racial, social, and economic justice.  Examples of funds that receive grant money include: the LGBTQ+ Youth Fund, which makes grants to programs and organizations supporting LGBTQ+ youth in New York City; the Emergency Response fund which supports organizations serving individuals impacted by natural disasters, and acts of violence; and the Swish Ally Fund which grants funds to organizations doing the work on the frontlines of the LGBTQ+ movement for equality, liberation, and justice.

In the 35 years the foundation has been running, they’ve awarded $27 million in grants to over 700 nonprofits in 132 cities. They also support 650 individuals each year with micro grants and scholarships. You can go to this page to read stories about organizations that have received grants. Whether they’re providing safe harbor for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, anti-violence education, or a space for queer theater, these groups have been able to make a bigger impact thanks to funding from the Stonewall Community Foundation.

The 2025 Vision Awards, which honor extraordinary individuals who use their voice to make the world a better place for LGBTQ+ people, are happening on June 18th in New York City. If you live in the New York metropolitan area, attending will be a fun way to support the Stonewall Community Foundation. For those of us farther away, we can show our support by making a donation and spreading the word on social media. Follow the Stonewall Community Foundation on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Feel Good Friday - Asians Fighting Injustice

We’re closing out Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by highlighting a non-profit organization in New York, Asians Fighting Injustice.

Founded in 2021 and headquartered in New York City, the mission of Asians Fighting Injustice (AFI) is “to fight all forms of injustice and decrease AAPI hate by providing services that support the victims of anti-AAPI hate crimes, curating educational resources that increase the safety of our city, and executing programs which aim to unite the various communities of NYC.”

AFI was created in response to the alarming increase in hate and bias incidents targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have two main programs that help with the goal of reducing Asian hate crimes in their local communities. 

Dumplings of Love is a monthly food distribution program that supports both businesses and individuals. AFI purchases discounted meals prepared by local AAPI owned businesses, and volunteers hold events where they distribute these meals in underserved communities. These events are opportunities to showcase how diverse the AAPI community is, gain increased exposure for the businesses who participate, and feed people in need. At past events AFI has distributed food, along with toys, books, hand sanitizer, feminine hygiene products and diapers.

The Hate Crime Victim Support group is creating educational materials to spread awareness of the historic and systemic roots of hate and bias targeting the AAPI community. They have comprehensive support services for individuals impacted by hate and bias, including culturally competent mental health resources. AFI is also advocating for policy reforms and forging partnerships with government agencies, law enforcement, civil rights organizations, and community-based nonprofits to leverage resources and expertise and expand their impact.

 

Asians Fighting Injustice is a 100% volunteer run organization so your support makes a big difference. If you live near New York City you can become a Community Support Volunteer by completing this application. The rest of us can fight anti Asian hate by making a donation, shopping for merch and spreading the word on social media. Follow AFI on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.