The Jim Collins Foundation co-founders have presented nation-wide at transgender health conferences to address the widespread lack of understanding about transgender people's health care. Here, Tony Ferraiolo, a Certified Life Coach and transgender youth advocate, and Dru Levasseur, a national transgender rights attorney, present the workshop, "The Jim Collins Foundation: Why Do We Need It?" at the 2012 Connecticut Transgender Health and Law … [Read more...]
March 26, 2013 (New York, NY) – The Jim Collins Foundation (JCF) is pleased to announce its 2013 grantees receiving funds for gender-confirming surgery. Hundreds of transgender people applied for a JCF grant, demonstrating urgency and financial need. Due to widespread discrimination in public and private health care, most transgender individuals have no access to this type of medically necessary coverage. Jim Collins Foundation is the only … [Read more...]
When I first applied to the grant I was homeless and jobless and felt as though I had little to no support. It might have possibly been the lowest point in my life. I have pushed against discrimination towards me even in high school and middle school when no one would talk to me. I have lost many friends and family upon coming out. But it has ultimately led me to further happiness with myself. I am seeking to further my transition to allow me … [Read more...]
Before surgery I would recoil inside when I saw a reflection in the mirror that was not congruent with my true identity. It left me stuck in a gray zone most people do not understand. It was a shadow that followed me everywhere. There is a comfort in knowing who I really am but with that comes limitations imposed on people like us by society and other relationships that may come along. To me gender confirmation surgery is not what brings … [Read more...]
The Jim Collins Foundation is very pleased to hear that Emerson and Aetna have clarified their insurance policy to cover Donnie Collins' medically necessary procedure. It's critical that other insurance companies follow suit. The American Medical Association and other leading medical associations have called upon public and private insurance companies to lift the widespread exclusions targeting transgender people. The risk of harm from denial … [Read more...]
Excess Funds Donated to Jim Collins Foundation February 27, 2013 (New York, NY) – As news and social media sites have caught wind of fraternity fundraiser for Donnie Collins’ surgery, there has been an outpouring of public support, and funds raised have quickly exceeded the $8,100 goal. In response, Donnie Collins has pledged excess funds to the Jim Collins Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing financial assistance for … [Read more...]
Drew Lodi, the first recipient of a Jim Collins Foundation grant, wanted to share his story and give back to the organization that helped him. To do that, he made this moving video about his life, his struggles with not having the money for his medically necessary surgery, and how instead of giving up hope he began to collect cans to save money towards the cost for surgery. In the video, he describes how receiving a Jim Collins Foundation grant … [Read more...]
This past year, the foundation received over 300 applicants, most of whom were desperate for assistance. A nation-wide selection committee comprised of anonymous transgender individuals chose the 2012 grantees based on financial need. After the grantees were selected, the foundation contacted the surgeons that the grantees selected as part of their application. One of those surgeons - Dr. Christine McGinn at the Papillon Center in New Hope, … [Read more...]
When I first applied to the grant I was homeless and jobless and felt as though I had little to no support. It might have possibly been the lowest point in my life. I have pushed against … read more
Before surgery I would recoil inside when I saw a reflection in the mirror that was not congruent with my true identity. It left me stuck in a gray zone most people do not understand. It was a shadow … read more
One grant recipient, Aramentha Jones, lives in government-subsidized housing in New York City and survives on food stamps. In 2010, she joined Americorps to assist survivors of the earthquake in Haiti … read more
(North Branford, CT) May 9, 2011 - The Jim Collins Foundation is proud to announce that its first grant for gender-confirming surgery has been awarded to Drew Lodi. The Jim Collins Foundation, a … read more