This year has been a taxing one for the LGBTQ community. In 2018, the nation has seen the Trump administration’s unwavering attack on the transgender community, a halt in research methods that could delay finding a cure for HIV and the appointment to the Supreme Court of an anti-LGBT justice.
But here in Philadelphia, great things are happening. As we bid farewell to the final days of 2018 and embrace the holiday season and the spirit of giving, we bring you a list of worthy local nonprofit organizations that do the hard work behind the scenes of promoting LGBTQ equality and providing an array of services to vulnerable people. Join in and help these pioneering organizations doing forward-thinking work. It’s how society writ large moves forward, and most donations are tax deductible to boot. How’s that for a sell?
William Way LGBT Community Center
1315 Spruce St.
(215)-732-2220
William Way LGBT Community Center is open 365 days a year to serve the entire LGBTQ community and its allies. Its services include health and wellness programs supporting LGBT seniors, LGBT refugees, trans individuals and peer counseling for all. The center also offers arts and culture, with one of the largest LGBT archives in the country as well as its 14,000-plus book-lending library. The center has an art gallery and hosts book readings, cabaret and jazz performances. There are rental spaces available for events such as commitment ceremonies, birthday parties or private occasions as well as meeting facilities for groups to organize. The center also offers dozens of programs that occur weekly (including tai chi, yoga, meditation and writers’ groups).
To make a donation to William Way LGBT Community Center, stop by the center or visit www.waygay.org/donate1/
The Attic Youth Center
255 S. 16 St.
(215)-545-4331
The Attic Youth Center is the only organization in Philadelphia that exclusively provides services and programs to LGBTQ young people ages 14-23. The Attic’s goal is to reduce the isolation felt by LGBTQ youth by offering programs to counteract the prejudice and oppression that those members of the LGBTQ community face. All Attic programming is based on youth development with the goal of teaching life skills and providing education that to create and encourage future leaders. Contributions to the center help finance free services for young people including mental-health counseling, summer-internship opportunities and social activities. Donations also allow the center’s Bryson Institute to continue to thrive. The institute offers interactive training sessions that educate the wider community on best practices for working with LGBTQ individuals.
The Attic is currently in need of donations for its Winter Clothing Drive. Items needed include: new (or gently used) coats, hats, scarves, socks and gloves. All donations should be adult-sized and can be dropped off at The Attic. Deadline for donations is Dec. 21.
To make a donation to the The Attic, visit www.atticyouthcenter.org/donate-now
COLOURS Organization
1211 Chestnut St., Suite 910
(215)-832-0100
COLOURS is a health-services organization specifically catering to LGBTQ people of color in the Greater Philadelphia region. The organization, which began by publishing a social-justice magazine in 1991 to discuss issues of importance for black LGBT people, now provides an array of culturally sensitive health and human services for black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. COLOURS’ programs include rapid HIV testing, STI screenings, support groups, sexual-health counseling, access to PrEP and wellness-navigation services for men of color who have sex with men who are at high risk for acquiring HIV. The organization also participates in community outreach events, providing low-income neighborhoods in the city with free HIV/STI testing and educational resources on HIV/AIDS prevention-methods.
COLOURS is currently collecting donations for hygiene products such as deodorant, toothpaste, razors, cologne, perfume, soap and hand sanitizer for community members in need. Donations must be delivered to the COLOURS office. For more information, contact Jauraz Crosby at [email protected].
To donate to COLOURS Organization, visit www.coloursorganization.org/donate/
GALAEI
149 W. Susquehanna Ave.
(267)-457-3912
The queer, Latinx social-justice organization provides HIV prevention and treatment to the Latinx community in Philadelphia. GALAEI works to educate people of color about sexual health along with teaching underrepresented communities the skills needed for advocacy and grassroots-organizing work. Through Project YEAH, the organization supports the empowerment and leadership development of queer youth of color through individual coaching, group support and community engagement. GALAEI’s Trans Equity Project offers peer-based supportive services for and operated by trans individuals to address and create solutions to the challenges faced by the trans community. The Trans Equity Project created the Philly Trans March, which began in 2010 to memorialize and highlight trans POCs who have lost their lives.
GALAEI recently started its “30 for 30” campaign in honor of the organization’s upcoming 30th anniversary. The campaign seeks to get more monthly “Embajadors” (ambassadors) to donate $30/month to the organization. For more information on how to become a monthly Embajador, contact Francisco Cortes at [email protected].
To donate to GALAEI, visit https://www.galaei.org/
LGBT Elder Initiative
1315 Spruce St.
(215)-720-9415
The LGBTEI fosters and advocates for the services and resources that are competent, culturally sensitive, inclusive and responsive to the needs of LGBT elders. The organization provides programs that help connect aging adults in the community to local aging-services organizations that will help with social, emotional, financial and medical support needed to age successfully. LGBTEI regularly hosts community forum discussions on the needs of LGBT elders and ways to combat isolationism in old age.
To donate to the LGBT Elder Initiative, visit www.lgbtelderinitiative.org/donate/
DVLF
1835 Market St.
(215)- 863-8110
The Delaware Valley Legacy Fund provides financial support to LGBTQ-serving organizations throughout the city. The organization administers $50,000 a year in grants from its endowment fund to meet the emerging needs of the LGBTQ community. Since 1993, DVLF has given more than $1 million to fund LGBTQ organizations, initiatives and projects in the Greater Philadelphia region. By its 30th anniversary in 2024, DVLF’s vision is to fully fund every qualified proposal received from LGBTQ-serving organizations in the area.
To donate to the DVLF, visit www.dvlf.org/ways-to-donate
Philadelphia FIGHT
1233 Locust St.
(215)-985-4448
FIGHT is a comprehensive health-services organization that provides low-income residents with HIV primary care, consumer education, research and advocacy for people living with HIV/AIDS and those that are high risk. The organization provides access to low-cost healthcare at its seven locations throughout Philadelphia. Programs include: Project TEACH, a peer-education program that provides workshops in the community and schools, the Critical Path Learning Center that offers digital-literacy classes, employment-readiness training along with free GED and Adult Basic Education services.
Critical Path Learning Center is collecting donations for it’s winter-clothing drive. Donations needed: New (or gently used) coats, blankets and socks in adult sizes. Donations can be dropped off on weekdays between 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. at 1233 Locust St. Deadline is Dec. 21.
FIGHT’s Pediatric and Adolescent Health Center is currently holding a winter-clothing donation drive. The center is accepting new and gently used coats, hats, gloves, pants, shirts and boots for youth ages 12 months-18 years. New, unopened, non-perishable formula (Simalac brand) and baby food donations are also need. Donation drop-off sites are: Philadelphia FIGHT Pediatrics, 1207 Chestnut St., 5th floor, and Repair the World, 4029 Market St. Deadline is Jan. 31.
To donate to Philadelphia FIGHT, visit https://fight.org/how-to-help/donate/
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
1211 Chestnut St., Suite 405
215-971-2808
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation is the largest global AIDS-related organization, servicing more than 950,000 patients in 41 countries. The Los Angeles-based nonprofit opened its new healthcare center and pharmacy in Philadelphia in August. The center provides HIV/AIDS medical care and medical case management to patients regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. The pharmacy assists patients with HIV/AIDS treatment and offers free home delivery. AHF also travels throughout the city with its mobile-testing unit, providing free, rapid HIV testing and immediate navigation and support services for patients.
To donate to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, visit www.aidshealth.org/2011/11/donate-now-save-a-life/
Philly AIDS Thrift
710 S. 5th St., (215)-922-3186
PAT@Giovanni’s Room
345 S. 12th St.,
(215)- 923-2960
The thrift store collects and sells donated items ranging from household necessities, clothing, books, jewelry, electronics, DVDs, CDs and hospital and medical supplies. Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room is the oldest LGBTQ and feminist bookstore in the country, housing more than 7,000 titles on its shelves and an online database of more than 48,000 titles. Since its inception, PAT has donated more than $2.2 million to HIV/AIDS-service organizations including AIDS Fund, Mazzoni Center and the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania.
To drop off donations to Philly AIDS Thrift, stop by its two locations. For a monetary donation, visit www.phillyaidsthrift.com/ways-to-give/donate/.
Woodbury Community Pride
The LGBT organization creates events and programs for LGBT residents living in Woodbury, N.J., and other parts of South Jersey. WCP worked with the city of Woodbury to implement policies and protections for the LGBTQ community, helped to launch Gay-Straight Alliance programs in Woodbury schools and organizes Woodbury’s annual Pride celebration. WCP’s efforts have led to Woodbury being named the most LGBTQ-friendly town in South Jersey, receiving a perfect Municipal Equality Index score of 100 from the Human Rights Campaign.
WCP is looking to raise $1,000 for its 2018 Year-End Giving Campaign to support LGBTQ businesses in Woodbury. Deadline is Dec. 31.
To donate to Woodbury Community Pride, visit https://woodburycommunitypride.org/donate/