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...]
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