New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) is an organization that supports LGBTQ and HIV-affected survivors of violence through counseling, advocacy and legal services while working towards a violence-free tomorrow. I decided to join AVP’s board of directors because I believe in the work that AVP does within the LGBTQIA+ community, specifically among the BIPOC population. As a Black person of trans experience, who’s father was killed due to gun violence, the nature of the work provided by AVP speaks to me on many levels. Survivors of violence deserve to have a space dedicated to their healing and people who are invested in their personal safety. It’s an honor to be a part of the AVP team.
The cornerstone of AVP programming is our free 24/7 bilingual hotline which receives over 2000 calls a year from LGBTQ and HIV-affected survivors of violence. These callers then benefit from free, confidential services including counseling, economic support, safety planning, housing and benefits acquisition and more. Callers to the hotline become AVP clients who have a web of support from the AVP community, which serves over 21,000 New Yorkers annually. It is estimated that 17% of New Yorkers identify as LGBTQ+, and AVP is the only organization in the city wholly focused on their safety and security.
Join me in reaching my goal of raising $10,000 for AVP in 2022.