VOLUN
PROGRAM UPDATE
THE IMPORTANCE of Our Work
The last few months have been a remarkable period of growth for The Trevor Project, and the organization has become a national hub for youth in need of support, as well as for adults wanting to help these young people. Since October, we have distributed more than 2,500 Survival Kits to educators and youth service providers across the country. We have also increased our volunteer trainings, graduating more than 60 new program volunteers serving LGBTQ youth nationwide. Plus, because more young people have heard about The Trevor Project, more are reaching out on the Lifeline, TrevorChat and Dear Trevor. Highlighting The Trevor Project’s leadership role in suicide prevention among LGBTQ youth, we have been invited to conduct a halfday institute at the American Association of Suicidology’s National Conference in April. This is an exciting opportunity to educate health workers, clinicians and educators about the importance of integrating information about LGBTQ youth in suicide prevention programming for schools, community based organizations and other youth spaces. As more youth become aware of our services and the demand for our programs continues to grow, we will be seeking new volunteers in each of our programmatic areas. Please visit TheTrevorProject.org to learn more about opportunities. – PHOENIX SCHNEIDER, Program Director
Trevor Lifeline Call DATA
PANSEXUAL QUEER
TRANSGENDER
BISEXUAL
LESBIAN
12% 10% 8% 8% 8% <1% <1%
36%
QUESTIONING
GAY
STRAIGHT
October 1, 2010 - January 31, 2011 TOTAL Calls: 11,092
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Highlighting the contributions of Trevor’s volunteers
Volunteer SPOTLIGHT Ten years ago, Victor Holguin made a list of things he promised to accomplish, and volunteering for The Trevor Project was on that list. He kept that promise and has now been volunteering with The Trevor Project since June 2010. “My heart sinks when I know kids struggle with being accepted for who they are. It’s such an easy fix and yet so complicated in reality. I am so honored to just be there and listen to these young people.” When Victor is not preventing suicide on The Trevor Lifeline, he is spending his time being a father to his 15 year old daughter and running marathons! Victor has run two marathons for charities and this year entered The Trevor Project into the NYC Half-Marathon Charity Program. The same month that The Trevor Project was accepted, Victor also donated one of his kidney’s to an altruistic kidney exchange program and experienced the tremendous loss of his father who passed away in late December. “I had lots of obstacles and hurdles but either way I knew I had to make it happen even if I walk the 13.1 miles crying my eyes out! Lots of people have shown interest from all over – we actually have a waiting list of people now because we filled our spots!” Victor believes the most important thing in life is to “pay it forward”. He knows how easy it is to get wrapped up in our own worlds and forget to give back or help others. “Sometimes the forward movement lunges our best selves into another state. We are all so different and special and we ALL have something worth sharing no matter what our differences may be.” Thank you for sharing your time and talents with us, Victor! – KELLI PETERMAN, Crisis Services Manager, East Coast
Fall Fête SOARS More than 500 guests — including high-profile attendees were Bravo’s Andy Cohen, MTV’s Real World: Brooklyn alum Scott Herman, Reichen Lehmkuhl, and George Takei and Brad Altman — packed the Theory flagship store in New York City for the Trevor Young Professionals’ inaugural “Fall Fête” on October 21, 2010. People from across the Northeast came out to support the important work of The Trevor Project and to enjoy cocktails provided by Veev Açaí Spirits. Attendees were also treated to a special performance by Tony Award®-winning actress and singer, Lea Salonga, who sang “Reflections” from Disney’s Mulan. The sold-out event raised more than $40,000 for The Trevor Project. Stay tuned for more details on the Trevor Young Professionals’ upcoming second annual “Spring Fling” event in New York City this April. – KEVIN O’LEARY Trevor Young Professionals Committee, NYC
THE TREVOR PROJECT NEWSLETTER Spring 2011
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1. Event hosts Brad Altman & George Takei. 2. Trevor Young Professionals and event attendees.