Over the course of the last few months, Ceyenne Doroshow and her organization, GLITS Inc., have been providing temporary housing to Black trans people recently released from Rikers Island. GLITS has been presented with an opportunity to both sign two leases to provide housing for the upcoming year and buy two buildings to create a permanent place to house and support Black trans people in New York City. These leases will provide much needed security and housing stability in the forthcoming year for several Black trans members of our community, all of whom were recently released from Rikers amidst the COVID pandemic and systemic racism that still plagues our communities. The buildings will create a space that will allow Ceyenne to provide housing and support to community members for years to come.

We believe in the livelihood of Black trans people and the importance of thriving, not just surviving! 

We want Black trans folks to live a life filled with opportunities of joy that many of us take for granted when our existence is not defined by perseverance. This is what Ceyenne Doroshow wants to provide for trans folk through these housing opportunities. Ceyenne’s vision is giving Black trans people the opportunity to be in charge of their own plan and in providing housing, we are beginning to create not only stability, but a larger shared accountability to our community. These properties will allow Black trans folk to focus on other long term goals like education and mental health, as well as an overall feeling of support and stability during this unsettling time. In order to reach these goals, we need to raise 1 million dollars. 

Budget Breakdown: We need your help to raise a total of $1,000,000 by June 30th in order to make this a reality. Through the generosity of folks in our networks, we have already raised the $200,000 needed to put a deposit down on the first apartment and second apartment leases which are housing and providing essential resources to 7 Black trans people. The next 625,000 we raise will go towards buying 2 apartment buildings, which will act as a hub to support Black trans livelihood. The last 175k will go towards making these buildings livable, new hires for GLITS, and finalizing plans for Ceyenne’s visionary Rikers release team.

This effort is led by Black trans folk giving back to their community and prioritizing the safety of Black trans women.

With love and solidarity,

G.L.I.T.S. Inc.

https://www.glitsinc.org