For 2012, our Annual Campaign is all about making a substantial difference yet again. Last year, we came out and asked the community to help us to get a place for trans people to find shelter while in crisis. Â This year we come to you with a great many things, but the focus in on the establishment of the AZ Trans Center.
To achieve this amazing end, we need to raise 1000 donations of 10 dollars a month for a year. We have chosen to call the people who are making these donations to us Sponsors, because that’s what they are doing: sponsoring good works and sponsoring the creation of a friendly environment.
That particular point is what we call a Gold Sponsorship. There are also other sponsorship levels, both greater and lesser, for people to choose, as we recognize that the Trans Community is not the wealthiest of communities, and many of our most ardent supporters have been struggling to make the 10 and 20 dollar donations that have been our lifeblood for so long.
Sponsor The AZ Trans Center Today!
This space is going to be located along one of four street within a rough square area most likely: Indian School Road, Thomas Road, 24th Street, or 32nd Street. We have been looking very closely at large spaces in those areas, and we have many reasons, both internal and external for wanting them.
In July, This Is HOW is vacating the office space it has occupied at the One Voice Community Center in order to provide 1VCC with more opportunity to give additional groups in the community space for meetings and events. This is a crucial role, and we are thrilled to have been a part of that increase in traffic and success of 1VCC, and will continue our existing alliances and look forward to additional ones in the future.
We are seeking a minimum of 1600 square feet, with parking suitable for decent sized events, and with at least one restroom entirely under our control. Ideally the space will include two or three small offices and storage space, so that we can do our business (this will be our office).
This space will be available to any trans group and allied system, and serves to provide the trans community with a focal space, if not a focal point. 1VCC is and will continue to be a key part of the social infrastructure for the Trans Community locally, but having only the one space isn’t enough. Were it possible, we would get a dozen spaces, and a dozen houses, but we have to go one step at a time and move as best we can.
Full Disclosure: Our Executive Director serves on the Board of Directors of One Voice Community Center.
We are in the process of finalizing our Annual Campaign packet, which will explain in greater detail all the possibilities that we look forward to — possibilities that are made real through your caring, helpful efforts and the compassionate support of the wider community.
This Is HOW is committed to providing opportunities for Trans people to connect with themselves and their community, and we achieve this through classes and support groups and more, but one of the most limiting factors in our ability to achieve that is a lack of a centralized place that is open to the entire community, including other organizations, to use as a space for events, to highlight the work and creations of Trans individuals, and to provide an additional safe space within the community that is transcentric and recognizes them in their authentic selves.
This AZ Trans Center is a critical and key component of our long term vision and goals, and provides the other half of a stable and enduring base on which to build forward, including the creation of stronger programs that support Entrepreneurship, provide employment, volunteer, and internship positions, and ultimately provide for outstanding services and greater success for all the trans people and trans related organizations in the Phoenix Area and the state as a whole.
You can help — you can sign up today for a subscription sponsorship, and in return we will provide you with regular updates, and once we reach our halfway point, some incredible gifts to recognize your efforts.
For more information on that, we will direct you to our Annual Campaign page.