In just the past year, Rae’s Safe Haven launched as a nonprofit in serving queer residents in Mahoning County, Ohio, found a permanent physical space and is now gearing up to host a name-change clinic for transgender community members at the end of July.
The outreach organization was named after the aunt of founder DJ DiVincenzo, who provided a safe space for DJ growing up transgender in Mahoning Valley region in Northeast Ohio (the area includes Youngstown and Warren). A licensed social worker, DiVincenzo started the nonprofit after witnessing people in his LGBTQ+ community face systemic obstacles in housing, employment and more.
The nonprofit hopes to create queer-affirming spaces and support services for the local marginalized community, said spokesperson Charity Pickup.
“A ragtag group of misfits, I like to call our team, met and formed our mission, purpose and what we wanted,” she said. “We were meeting at people’s houses, at restaurants, building from the literal ground up.”
Name-change clinic
Offering a name-change clinic in partnership with TransOhio is personal to DiVincenzo. He had trouble accessing gender-affirming healthcare until he was able to change his legal name, he said.
The clinic will take place from 12-5 p.m. on Saturday, July 26 at 4495 Market St, Suite 400, Boardman, Ohio. If attendees struggle to pay for the associated fees, financial assistance may be available.
As the trans community continues to be targeted in state and federal legislatures, other trans people are “overwhelmed,” DiVincenzo said. So far, the Ohio Supreme Court has allowed Ohioans to apply to change their name and gender markers on government documents, but judges have discretion on whether to accept the application. (In DiVincenzo’s experience, the Mahoning Valley judge was “very friendly and easy going about it.”)
Being able to provide legal help and a safe and affirming space for his community “just feels great,” he said.
“[The clinic] helps them make smart and safe decisions,” DiVincenzo said. “Our community needs the support, and we all need to stay together.”
A Space of Their Own
Rae’s Safe Haven hosted events including a community meal before they found a permanent space in the township of Boardman. Now, they are able to provide gender-affirming items like chest binders and a clothing wardrobe, peer support groups and more. The space also allows them to have just a place for anyone in the community to cool down and connect, Pickup said.
“ We’ve got board games, books [and] we can help people make sure they feel clean and safe and cared for,” Pickup said.
Funding for the nonprofit ranges from individual donations and fundraisers to grants and support from local businesses, she said. Like other LGBTQ+ nonprofits, Rae’s Safe Haven has faced “reduced funding opportunities” despite “increased demand for services.”
“Despite these challenges, we’re committed to continuing our work and serving our community as effectively as possible,” Pickup said. 🔥
This piece was supported by the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley.
IGNITE ACTION
- To learn more about Rae’s Safe Haven’s events, including a September LGBTQ-affirming health fair, visit their website here.
- To learn more about Ohio’s LGBTQ+ nonprofit landscape, check out The Buckeye Flame’s nonprofit guide by clicking here.
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