A Word From Mark
Happy Pride!!

June is recognized as Pride Month in commemoration of the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion, when members of the gay community fought back against the violent police raids of New York gay bars. In June 1970, the very first Pride marches began to be held across the United States in honor of these protests.

Now, decades later, Pride is a time of celebration, support, and reflection for the LGBTQ community. We as a society have come a long way towards acceptance and equality since June 28, 1969, but there is still work to be done. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals across the country continue to experience discrimination even today, which can have devastating real-world effects on their employment, healthcare, housing, and overall safety and wellbeing.

At WTLC, we have built survivor-driven advocacy into all aspects of our programs and services. Many LGBTQ survivors' experiences don't fit neatly into the commonly accepted narrative of what abuse looks like; their experiences, needs, and access to services are often complicated by their identities. Recognizing that it can be particularly difficult for LGBTQ survivors to find help after situations of abuse, WTLC is dedicated to ensuring our services remain safe, inclusive, and accessible to all LGBTQ survivors in our community.

Thank you for your help in ensuring every survivor has access to the resources they need to find safety and healing from violence and exploitation.
 
With appreciation,
 
Mark
A New Beginning - Bridge Housing
Elizabeth and her 7-month-old son entered WTLC’s Housing Program in March, after running away from the abuse at home. Upon entering the shelter, Elizabeth appeared both nervous and sad, not knowing what the future held. She immediately established a bond with her Housing Advocate and gradually integrated herself into the program by taking an active role in our educational group programs and clinical advocacy services.

Elizabeth envisioned a life free from hostility, a future career, and an opportunity to become self-sufficient. Elizabeth left her home after continuous mental and physical torture caused by her partner. Elizabeth gained strength and spoke up that one fateful night when she decided to leave and never look back. 
Taking Care of Yourself Does Not Cease With Age

Approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60 and older have experienced some type of elder abuse. Some data indicates a higher rate, as only 1 in 24 cases of abuse are reported each year.

When Rosa, a 73-year-old participant, was connected to WTLC through a community partner, she initially did not recognize her experiences with her adult son, who was also her primary caregiver, as abuse. She initially called WTLC’s 24-hour helpline to ask for help with food and other basic needs. When she connected to an advocate, Rosa began to identify financial and emotional red flags of elder abuse. Rosa found support through enrolling in counseling services, working with a legal advocate to learn what options she had available, and attending a community support group focused on identifying abuse and creating healthier relationships. Rosa’s resiliency empowered her to find a safe place to live with another family member, and she continues to attend classes with others who have shared similar experiences in hopes of helping others. 
WTLC's transitional housing program operates in the critical space between emergency shelter and permanent housing, providing survivors with the time they need to find healing and long-term stability. Our Hope House project will create a dedicated transitional housing space for survivors to live while addressing their recovery needs through supportive services like counseling, legal advocacy, and case management.

Click the video below to see what Hope House will look like when completed!
Thank You to Our SuperHERO's!
What a spectacular night!

Thank you to everyone who attended our SuperHERO Ball last month and helped us raise over $105,000 for our Hope House Capital Campaign!

WTLC was honored to have so many of you join us in celebration, showing your support for our ongoing efforts to end the cycle of violence and exploitation in our communities.

If you weren't able to join us this year - you were missed, but don't worry - you can still donate to Hope House!

To see more pictures from the event, please click and follow us on our social media. We are creating new content weekly and offering insights and updates on our programs.
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