Dear myTherapyNYC Community, Who Should we Donate to?

One great thing about the holiday season is the spirit of recognizing and giving back to the people and communities that enhance our lives. At myTherapyNYC, we are creating our own holiday tradition of giving back. Last year, our staff of therapists chose a list of organizations to receive over $2,500 worth of donations. This year, we asked you to help us create a list of charities and organizations that you’d like to see us support.

Read more: myTherapyNYC Gives Back to the Community

The following organizations have received a donation from myTherapyNYC, for a total of over $5,000 in donations. Here is what you had to say about these organizations and why they deserve the support:

The Ali Forney Center

“LGBTQ+ kids are more likely to be homeless or precariously housed, and more likely to be ‘thrown away’ by their families. Ali Forney’s existence says to these kids, there is a place for you and we can help you figure it out.” -Danielle

ASPCA of New York

“I feel it is our responsibility to be the caretakers of animals since to some degree they are unable to care for themselves.” -Jacqueline

Audre Lorde Project

“The Audre Lorde Project is a lesbian, gay, bisexual, two spirit, trans, and gender nonconforming people of color center for community organizing, focusing on the New York City area. Through mobilization, education, and capacity-building, we work for community wellness and progressive social and economic justice. Committed to struggling across differences, we seek to responsibly reflect, represent and serve our various communities.” -Keesean

“This amazing organization provides services and programs to LGBTQ+ people of color. It is so important that organizations like this exist, because they help to bring people together and build community. I believe social support is a key ingredient in helping people thrive!” –Weston

ACLU

Selected by Josh

Born This Way Foundation

“Lady Gaga is using her celebrity to bring awareness to the individuality of each human being. It’s a power message and a great local foundation.” -Luis

Brooklyn Free Clinic at SUNY Downstate

“As a medical student, I volunteer at the BFC to help provide healthcare for the community. The organization is an avenue for medical students to give back to the community while on a student budget. For those that can’t access healthcare services because of financial reasons, clinics like BFC can mean the difference between getting necessary care and letting health problems run out of control.” -Shannon

CancerCare, NYC

”CancerCare provided much needed resources when I was diagnosed with cancer in 2017. Very gracious and hospitable organization. Support would continue their mission for all.” -Jeffrey

Children of Armenia Fund

“They provide technology and education to children in rural areas of Armenia. As well as provided and funding healthcare to those who would not receive it otherwise: 7081 students have participated in health seminars, 700 children in rural Armenia receive free dental care annually, 10,000 women underwent breast and thyroid screenings, 64 rural nurses and doctors have received trainings.” -Chris

David’s House

“David’s House supported my brother-in-law and his family after their daughter Evie was born prematurely in a high-risk hospital far from their home. She was in the NICU for 8 weeks and without David’s House they would not have been able to stay nearby with their older daughter and the family would have been torn apart during these early, important days of Evie’s life.” –Ashley

Drag Queen Story Hour

“Drag Queen Story Hour is an amazing organization that organizes events where Drag Queens read books to children on themes of self-love, diversity, social justice, and being yourself. It promotes literacy by making reading fun, while providing kids with positive queer role models who embody the message that kids can express their gender and all aspects of themselves fluidly, however feels best to them.” –Pamela

Durrell

“The money goes directly to conservation programs, with little overhead. Accounting of results is evidence-based. Durrell does not partner with corporate sponsors that are known to pollute (such as Exxon) in contrast to big organizations like the Nature Conservancy and Conservation International, where much of the money misses the mark.” -Anonymous

Experience Camps

“They are a free one week summer camp for grieving children. I’ve worked with them for two years and the growth and support we see in campers and staff is amazing. As someone who also lost a parent, their mission is very important to me.” -Shelby

Gay Sons and Mothers

“I run this organization and so appreciate last year’s donation! We have done much more this past year thanks to you! Education, talks, and reassuring mothers about their LGBTQ children!” -Rick

Girls on the Run NYC

“This organization uses running and fitness to instill good, healthy habits in young girls. It teaches them about teamwork, dedication, and goal-setting. By getting them active early on, it helps them build a positive body image and helps them maintain a healthy lifestyle later in life. I dealt with a traumatic incident this past year that left me feeling insecure and ashamed. It’s important that girls grow up in a positive light, and I believe being strong is a key to confidence and body-positivity.” -Anonymous

God’s Love We Deliver

“The organization once took great care of those affected by HIV/AIDS in the 80’s when no one else would. This nonprofit provides nutritious meals to its clients. Today, the organization has expanded to serve all of those who suffer from debilitating illnesses and deliver over 17k meals per week. God’s Love is not just dear to my heart because I volunteer here once a week with kitchen prep and an avid donor, but when a friend was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, she relied on GLWD for support before her passing. The work that they do helps their clients to life a better quality of life despite their circumstances.” -Tom

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) New York City

“Through their programming and advocacy, NAMI does terrific work in helping individuals and families dealing with mental illness.” –Joe

New York Cares 2019 Coat Drive!

“I think providing a means for New Yorkers to stay warm during the winter helps them focus on maintaining a job, finding shelter, and a whole host of other day-to-day concerns. It helps them survive and I trust New York Cares’ program of 30+ years in distributing the funds appropriately and making a significant impact for people in need here! Thank you for your time.” -Bill

NYC Anti-Violence Project

“As a former volunteer for their 24 Hour Hotline, I believe the organization provides vital direct client services to LGBTQ and HIV-affected survivors of all forms of violence. AVP provides crisis intervention, short term counseling, and advocacy for victims or witnesses of violence in all five boroughs. In addition, AVP offers free holistic legal services, education, training, and a safe space for survivors. Their mission statement reads “We empower lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV-affected communities and allies to end all forms of violence through organizing and education, and support survivors through counseling and advocacy.” –Don

Safe Horizon

“I know Safe Horizon well, having worked there for many years. It’s important to me because they work with all victims and survivors of all forms of abuse and violence, almost exclusively focusing on the city’s most financially vulnerable. It serves people who are suffering from economic and societal stresses (including a large undocumented population) who, on top of all those challenges, have had the most unimaginable things done to them. Among other important programs, it has NYS’s only licensed mental health clinic with a specialization in treating trauma from violence or abuse.” –James

Safe Horizon- Street Work 

“This division of Safe Horizon serves homeless adolescents and emerging adults, many of whom are LGBT-identified and have experienced family abuse, violence, rejection, and instability that led to their homelessness. Streetwork Project operates drop-in centers where youth can socialize in safe, non-judgmental spaces and receive client-centered services.” –Zachary

SAGE

“SAGE works with the elderly LGBT community. I’ve done volunteer work with them and have seen the direct, important, loving contributions they make to this underserved community. Thanks for all YOU do!!!!” -Brent

Tagg Magazine

“This scholarship fund is an opportunity for the LGBTQ community to provide outstanding young queer women of color with access to a college education, while enhancing their chances for a successful future as business leaders. As a member of the selection committee I’ve been able to see first hand the difference the scholarship makes in the lives of our community members.” -Ian

Trevor Project

“They do awesome work to help LGBTQ+ youth in crisis by providing a 24/7 hotline and web chat, saving many lives of kids and teens who don’t feel like they have anywhere else to go. They also do great advocacy work for the LGBTQ+ community at large.” – Dan

“Helping LGBTQ youth in need is vital.” -Chris

“They are mission based.” -Mark

 

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!