Sponsor Drew in Spartan Spirit and help JCF!
Hi Everyone,
My name is Drew. I received the first grant from the Jim Collins Foundation in 2011.
I am having a fundraiser from now until Aug. 12, 2012. I have made this video in hopes that sharing my journey and choosing a challenging race will bring in more pledges. Read more »
JCF Receives $20,000 Grant!
(North Branford , CT ) May 3, 2012 – The Jim Collins Foundation has received an unprecedented grant from the Atlantic Philanthropies Director/Employee Designated Gift Fund in the amount of $20,000. The donation will go directly to providing gender-confirming surgeries to transgender individuals who need, but cannot afford, potentially life-saving medical procedures.
Jim Collins Foundation to Award Multiple Grants for Gender-Confirming Surgeries
(North Branford, CT) March 26, 2012 – The Jim Collins Foundation is pleased to announce that it will be awarding grants to two transgender individuals in 2012, its second grant cycle.
“The need is immense,” said Tony Ferraiolo, co-founder of the organization and a transgender youth advocate. “Many transgender people are not able to access the health care that they need, and this can lead to extremely unfortunate circumstances. These surgeries are life-saving.” Read more »
2012 Grant Recipients
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 apply for temporary protected status in the United States. “Even though I knew this job choice would affect the savings I had accumulated towards surgery, I could not miss the opportunity to help my people in a time of such great need.” Aramentha is now a full-time graduate student pursuing a degree in social work and working part-time. “Surgery will not undo the wounds of the past, nor will it erase the resentful looks and cruel comments I endured during the early stages of my transition. However, it will help me face the future with a new sense of hope,” Read more »
Update from Drew Lodi (2011 Grant Recipient)
Last year, the Jim Collins Foundation gave away its first grant to Drew Lodi, a transgender man on Medicaid who lacked the ability to pay for surgery out-of-pocket. Drew was so determined to obtain the treatment he needed that he saved literally every nickel he could by collecting cans towards his surgery expense. A year later, Drew is back on his feet and is currently training for the Spartan Sprint to raise money and pass on the hope that the Jim Collins Foundation gave him. Read more »
