Bank of America Volunteers for Trevor Bank of America’s LGBT Pride, its employee network representing LGBT employees and their allies, has named The Trevor Project as its recipient for their 2012 corporate-volunteer engagement grant. This new partnership would not have been possible without the dedication of Matt Pisanelli, Friend of Trevor and Trevor NextGen New York Development Chair.
When Trevor Board Member, Ruben Ramirez brought his friend and Bank of America employee Matt Pisanelli to a mixer for The Trevor Project in New York City, it didn’t take Matt long to realize that he wanted to get involved. He promptly joined Friends of Trevor, and later joined Trevor NextGen New York through Brian Dorsey, Co-Vice Chair of the Board. Since then, Matt has found more ways to support Trevor’s mission As a key volunteer, Matt nominated The Trevor Project for the 2012 grant offered by Bank of America’s LGBT Pride leadership committee. “Trevor was the clear winner,” said Matt. “It’s a well-managed organization that we felt comfortable investing in. But the real selling point was the wide range of volunteer opportunities available. With so many options, especially digital ones like Ask Trevor and TrevorChat, it meant that any bank employee, anywhere, could volunteer.” The Bank of America grant is a starting point for future corporate-volunteer engagement partnerships with Trevor. To date, over 50 bank employees have gone through the volunteer process, which Matt recognizes as, “a wonderful success.” “I’m looking forward to sustaining, growing, and expanding this collaboration throughout the coming years,” Matt said. “Let’s keep the momentum going.” If your corporation would like to partner with The Trevor Project, please contact Shawn Ingram at Shawn.Ingram@TheTrevorProject.org. T
Support for The Trevor Project comes from people from all over the country. Taahirah O’Neal of Houston, Texas is just one of the inspirational people who chose to support our life-saving, life-affirming work. Texas is 3rd in the country for number of calls placed to the Trevor Lifeline and is 2nd for number of TrevorSpace users by state.
“Choosing The Trevor Project was a no brainer!” said Taahirah, “I believe in people being allowed to express and be themselves. If there were no differences in this world we would continue to repeat history. I like people who are not afraid to take chances for the things they believe in, and Trevor supports the dreams of young people.” “When it came to my guests, I made sure they knew what The Trevor Project was.” She sent out invitations, created a website with a special section on The Trevor Project, and posted countless stories on her social networks. “I wanted everyone to be well informed on what my chosen non-profit was all about. My mom called it a ‘party with a purpose.’” On July 14th hundreds of party guests gathered to celebrate Taahirah’s Sweet 16, and by the end of the night, Taahirah and her guests raised over $5,100. On behalf of the youth we serve, we would like to extend our thanks to Taahirah, her friends, and her family for this generous donation. This gift, planned by a young girl to benefit other young people carries with it a special non-monetary value. It reminds us that anyone is capable of making a difference, regardless of age. T
8
THE TREVOR PROJECT NEWSLETTER Winter 2013
T
he holiday season can be a time of warm family reunions and welcome breaks from school and work; but for many LGBTQ youth it can also be a time of stress and isolation. In fact, some youth can be at a higher risk of attempting suicide because of a lack of family acceptance or a greater sense of loneliness during the holiday break.
If someone you know seems to be having a tough time, there are a few ways you can help. Let the young people in your life know you care about them and are there to listen if they need support. Remind them that the Trevor Lifeline is free, confidential, and available 24/7, including holidays or suggest they log on to TrevorChat on Saturdays, Fridays, Mondays or Tuesdays. During tough times, having a safety plan that helps young people refocus, relax, and stay calm can be life-saving. Consider encouraging them to write a safety plan that they can refer to whenever they feel down. Even just talking about some steps they can take to stay positive and safe can make a big difference. T
A Party With a Purpose
Taahirah wanted to use her 16th birthday to make a difference. “I’m very passionate for all causes,” she said, “especially the ones that get overlooked and viewed as ‘not as important as the rest.’” So, instead of accepting the usual birthday gifts, Taahirah asked her guests to make a donation to a non-profit of her choice. She chose The Trevor Project.
Care for the Holidays An example Safety Plan migh
t be:
1.
Make a pact with a frie
nd to call if m a stressful
I need to get away fro
situation.
2. Call the Trevor Lif eli
ne, get on TrevorChat, write an Ask Trevor letter, or visit TrevorSp ace.org. 3. Write my thoughts out in my journal. 4. Create an art pro ject to express my feelings. 5. Get active: Run, lift weights, walk or do yoga. 6. Put on headphon es and blast music. 7. Watch my favori te TV show and relax. 8. Remind myself tha t I am a strong, valuable person, and that I will get through this tough tim e.
Volunteer Spotlight When Rosario Tinoco walks into the West Coast Trevor office, her smile and enthusiasm fill the room. “I saw a picture of a friend on Facebook wearing a Trevor t-shirt, years ago. I looked it up online and decided to volunteer right away!” said Rosario. “I have never understood the discrimination there is against the LGBTQ community, it just goes beyond my understanding. I had always wanted to help somehow.”
Taahirah (left) with parents Shaquille O’Neil (center) and Arnetta Yardbourgh (right).
“Choosing The Trevor Project was a no brainer!”
Rosario goes above and beyond as a Trevor Lifeline counselor, participating in extra listenins, making art for the Randy Stone Call Center West, and volunteering to mentor new Trevor Lifeline trainees. “I believe that if there is an issue in society that you don’t like, it is better to be active and do something to change it. I’m very committed to this organization, and I always treat anything Trevor as a priority – right after school of course!”
ROSARIO TINOCO TrevorChat, Trevor Lifeline, Trevor Lifeguard Workshops, Education Working Group, Events Trevor Volunteer Since: August 2010 Occupation: Student (B.A. Communications & Marketing) Location: California
As a Trevor Lifeguard volunteer, she has great ways to keep the young people in her session on-track and engaged. She also participates with Trevor’s Education Working Group, which provides input on Trevor programs from a volunteer perspective. Currently, the group is working on a school outreach model. “The most rewarding part of being a Trevor volunteer is feeling like I made someone happy in any way possible at least for one day, or even that I made someone smile for five seconds! For me there is nothing in the world that compares to the importance of helping somebody else feel better.” T TheTrevorProject.org
9