Dear myTherapyNYC Community: Which Charitable Organizations Should We Donate To?

The holidays feel different this year. In the face of a continued global health crisis, many are struggling with grief, loss of income, and disconnection from those they love. While it’s important to acknowledge the difficulty of this year, it’s also valuable to recognize the unprecedented ways in which people are showing up for one another during this time. Within our community of clients at myTherapyNYC, we have seen incredible acts of generosity: people buying groceries for neighbors, healthcare workers putting their lives on the line for their patients, and communities working together to find creative solutions to stay connected in a socially-distanced world. 

Inspired by the remarkable generosity of those in our community, we at myTherapyNYC want to contribute to this culture of giving. That’s why this year we are committed to donating $7,500 to charitable causes. We want our donations to reflect the passions and needs of those in our community, which is why we are asking YOU to submit your recommendations for charitable organizations that you think should receive a donation.

If you want to learn more about the organizations we have donated to previously, you can check out our blog post from 2019.

The following organizations have received a donation from myTherapyNYC, for a total of over $7,500 in donations. Here is what you had to say about these organizations and why they deserve the support:

American Indian Community House

 

“With indigenous communities disproportionately impacted by COVID, this year is an important one to show our support. AICH serves as a one of a kind hub that provides resources and community events for Native Americans from 72 tribes who live in the NYC area.” – Weston

Artist Relief Project

 

“As someone who works closely with a lot of clients that are in the arts, I saw how badly they all struggled this year. That is why I would like to support this organization in the hopes that they can help any artist that has been impacted during the pandemic.” – Kimia

Call Blackline

 

“Provides a much needed alternative for crisis support for BIPOC community.” – Chris

Children’s Tumor Foundation

 

“This organization helps fund research, education, advocacy, and patient care for children affected by neurofibromatosis.” – Anonymous

Food Bank for NYC

 

“Food Insecurity is on the rise and food insecurity amongst LGBT adults in the US is more than double the national food insecurity rate.” – Don

Gay Son and Mothers

 

“This year we provided many live events during the start of COVID for a little fun and break from isolation. More importantly, we interviewed several black men to help educate the public about growing up gay and black. Our interviews are on our IG page and Facebook page and have attracted a lot of attention! We have also helped out many moms who have struggled with how to support and speak to their gay sons.” – Rick

Girls Write Now

 

“Girls Write Now is an incredible mentorship program that pairs underserved young women and gender non-conforming youth with professional writers/digital media makers. The young people in Girls Write Now give me hope for the future!” – Christy

Hot Bread Kitchen

“Hot Bread Kitchen is an amazing organization that creates economic opportunity through careers in food through their culinary training and incubator programs. Their main focus is supporting immigrant women who would not have the same opportunities without the help of Hot Bread Kitchen.” – Jessica

LK Nutrition’s Scholarship Fund

 

“As someone working in the eating disorders field and having experienced an eating disorder myself, I know firsthand how important a team approach to treatment is for best outcomes. Participating in both therapy and nutrition counseling is a challenge for BIPOC for many reasons… but one big one is the lack of financial accessibility. I’d love to see more BIPOC get the treatment they deserve. Thanks for considering this!” – Anonymous

“I know one of the RDs in this practice and have seen the amazing work they do as well as their commitment to anti-racism efforts. I believe we as a white collective should be prioritizing donations to individuals that are most vulnerable and marginalized, which is the target population for this fund. Eating disorders left untreated can be lethal so these donations will be going directly to helping save someone’s life.” – Scarlett

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) NYC

 

“The organization is an advocate and partner to those impacted by mental illness.” – Joe

National Queer Theater

 

“NQT lifts up ALL queer folks and especially focuses on elevating BIPOC people in the queer community. NQT also has education programs for LGBTQ youth and elders as well as HIV+ folks. In a world where a lot of people talk the talk but don’t walk the walk, it is refreshing to see an org actually do the work and support folks that are ignored by white nfp organizations. Also, the theatre that comes from NQT is INCREDIBLE!” – Morgan

NJ Sharing Network

 

“This organization is the place that supported my family through the donation of my brother’s organs when he passed away. They were really supportive and kind to my family through that difficult time.” – Alea

Bisexual Resource Center

“Bisexuality is an underrepresented identity in the LGBTQ community. A lot of this lack of representation comes from a lack of funding for bi+ organizations, which ends up being a nasty feedback loop: lack of visibility results in being passed over for funding, which makes it harder to become more visible. NYABN is likely the largest organization in NY for bi+ advocacy and would benefit from any sort of donation.” – Taylor

Out in Tech

 

“As the NYC chapter head of Out in Tech, I know first hand how awe-inspiring this community is. Out in Tech is the definition of doing the work – with mentorship, job resources, events, building websites for NGO’s across the globe, and more. OIT has provided me with a sense of purpose and pride. Through this organization I have achieved things I could only dream of: becoming a leader, establishing a career transition, and most importantly building a chosen family of which I am forever grateful.” – Peter

Planned Parenthood

 

“Women’s rights are civil rights and must be protected.” – Kayla

Safe Horizon – Streetwork Project

 

“Streetwork reaches some of the city’s most at-risk emerging adults, many of whom have been rejected by caretakers due to their sexual and gender identities. Streetwork creates a respectful, client-centered environment where essential services and psychiatric care are provided.” – Zachary

The Trevor Project

 

“I supported my son through his transition but so many don’t have that. I feel for all those kids struggling on their own.” – Jackie

“The Trevor Project has been an integral part of my life since I learned about the organization two and a half years ago. The weekly volunteer work I do there not only grounds me, but is incredibly powerful and meaningful. To offer a free 24/7 hotline for LGBTQ+ youth in need is not only needed, but highlights how much farther we have to go to ensure safety and equality for all. I would be extremely grateful if our practice donated to them. Thank you!” – Jonathan

(Also selected by Dan.)

Trinity Place Shelter

 

“This amazing organization helps LGBTQ+ youth and adults to transition out of homeless shelters and connects them with the opportunities and resources they need to live independently. At a time when COVID has left many people homeless, this organization is as important as it has ever been.” – Anonymous

Unicef

 

“This organization supports a wide range of needs: from victims of rape in Congo (where rape is used as a constant tool of oppression and terror) to addressing violence towards LGBTQ+ people around the world to feeding refugee children and families. Thank you for doing this!” – Lisa

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this project. We are lucky to be a part of a caring community and look forward to connecting with you in the new year!