This is H.O.W. has been the premier provider of trans related social services for over six years, and continues to lead the way through cutting edge programs and services that are trans centric and educational efforts with and for the wider community on trans issues, lives, and needs.
It has done so through the overwhelming support of people just like you, donating a few dollars here and there to help keep the doors open and the services happening.
It has been said that you cannot ask a person to pull themselves up by their bootstraps when they don’t have any boots, and it is the focus on making sure they have those metaphorical boots and a bit of a helping hand that has enabled TIH to provide support and services for well over 500 hundred trans people in its existence.
We have a very broad mission and we are constantly looking towards how we can make the program better, including a complete revision of our class programs. We have a therapist on staff, a BSN on staff, and our combined team does all of this for no personal gain — no one is paid.
Donate To This Is H.O.W. and help Make Life Better for trans people!
From Binders for Trans men to bus passes to housing for both emergency and longer term needs, from clothing available to the public to classes in all the little things we always wanted to know when we were young, TIH gives people a hand up, not a hand out.
Our funds go towards dozens of initiatives and effort meant to make life better, because for trans folk’s lives to truly get to where it gets better can be of help, they need a little bit of help to make life better so they can see it.
Right now, we are recovering from the incredible holiday season we had this year, where we provided several trans folk with the first christmas as themselves, and for some even the first christmas they can say they enjoyed. Everyone got presents, and our holiday was open to the general community.
We have started a new year. We are moving forward, with seven new major projects we will be announcing shortly. To make this possible, we have to cover our basic expenses.
Our basic expenses are dramatically cheaper than they have ever been, and we are in an incredible place. We purchased our own property for the housing and emergency spaces. We have a waiting list right now of 7 individuals — men and women in great need.
Our monthly expenses for our housing program include mortgage of 410 a month, electricity of 80, gas of 50, internet of 60, water and trash of 50.
That’s just one of several programs we operate. And we are expanding.
We desperately need for 1000 people to donate 5 dollars each by February 28th. This will enable us to make sure our bills are paid for this first quarter, and let us focus on fundraising for additional efforts and programs.
You can make an enormous difference — that’s what 5 dollars can do.
We hope to get 1000 people to commit to donating 5 dollars a month for a year, to truly enable us to grow and allow us to make it possible for us to expand into additional cities, such as our effort this year to open up a TIH in Los Angeles.
To make it possible for us to open an additional facility right here in Phoenix Metro.
To give trans people an opportunity to succeed, instead of setting them up for failure.
Show your support of the trans community by donating $5.00 today , and then go out and tell everyone you know to do the same.
It has been said that you cannot ask a person to pull themselves up by their bootstraps when they don’t have any boots, and it is the focus on making sure they have those metaphorical boots and a bit of a helping hand that has enabled TIH to provide support and services for well over 500 hundred trans people in its existence.
We have a very broad mission and we are constantly looking towards how we can make the program better, including a complete revision of our class programs. We have a therapist on staff, a BSN on staff, and our combined team does all of this for no personal gain — no one is paid.
Together, we can make a difference.
Together, we can Make Life Better.
Donate To This Is H.O.W. and help Make Life Better for trans people!
There are some who think that the purpose of TIH is just to help those with substance abuse. It is not, nor has it ever been so, although that is one of many areas of focus we have. Nor is TIH meant just for persons of color, although that is a focus we have. Nor is TIH just about trans women, although we have helped many women.
Since 2006, TIH has been the leading social services organization for trans individuals in the phoenix metro area. Housing, substance abuse, crisis intervention, rape, domestic violence, safe sex and HIV services, transition skills, advocacy, and much, much more. We are, still, the only service organization of our kind in the state of Arizona, and the new year will bring growth and opportunity, thanks chiefly to you, those who support us.
There is so much more to TIH than just a cute house and substance abuse. There is a deeper and broader understanding of trans lives and needs.
Should someone tell you TIH is just about substance abuse, know they do not understand the fullness of what the staff of volunteers do, and the importance of Agency.
On behalf of the board of directors and the staff of TIH we wish you and yours a safe and happy new year that brings forth great joy.
Feel free to join us this year for our annual new years eve celebration. We will be showing a marathon of superhero films this year.
Over the next two months, our website will undergo some changes as we prepare for the effort to open a house in Los Angeles, California and provide tools and assistance to trans service organizations all over the country.
As ever, we depend o the small dollar donations of people like you. We have had one grant in the last six years, and all of our daily expenses are covered by donations from every day folks just wanting to help. 95% of every dollar donated goes to direct service.
Donations can be by cash, check, dropped at a local branch of Bank of America (email us for the account number), credit card in person with our staff members, or via paypal here on the site.
Bedding, towels, clothing, food, shelter, education, advocacy, and all the little things that make life better are things we constantly need, from shampoos and razors to binders and packers.
This is H.O.W. serve the community as a whole, not merely the people in our residence program. We are open to any and all trans people, and do not hesitate to turn to us should you need help.
First Fridays
presented
by the
One Voice Community Center
&
This Is H.O.W.
Showcasing & Supporting
Artists in Our Community
***OUR FIRST VERY SHOW***
Beginning Friday December 2nd.
6-10pm
located at the One Voice Community Center
4442 N. 7th Avenue, Phoenix AZ 85013
Have you ordered yours yet? There are just a few more days to order some of the best tamales in the southwest!
Check out the Tamale Fundraiser Page for more information and the order form. You can also place an order with staff members or by emailing tamales@thisishow.org.
In case you haven’t heard, we’re celebrating the Southwest Tradition of Holiday Tamales and inviting our friends to share in the fruits of our labors (for a small contribution, of course!)
We’re taking reservations from now until December 8th, with pick-up available after December 11th, and delivery available (for a fee) December 19-22.
Thanks for your awesome support!
Nov. 21 - Nominations for the First AZ Trans Awards have been posted and voting has begun! Check out the group page and vote. Tell your friends who don’t have Facebook stop by the 1VCC later and there will be paper ballots. Thanks for your patience while we dealt with our computer problems! Voting will continue until Midnight on Thanksgiving, to give a little extra time. The Awards will be presented at the T.I.H. Housewarming on Nov. 26th.
Nov. 19 - Software/Hardware difficulties have delayed getting out the final nominations for the AZ Trans Awards, but we’re working on them. Stay tuned for more details.
There is only a week left to nominate trans individuals (men and women), allies, and others who have significantly contributed to the improvement of trans lives in Arizona. Nominations close at midnight November 15th.
Award Categories include:
- Man of the Year
- Woman of the Year
- Therapist of the Year
- Business of the Year
- Health Care Provider of the Year
- Organization of the Year
- Advocate of the Year (for persons of color only)
- Trailblazer of the Year
- Ally of the Year
- Newcomer of the Year
- Performer of the Year
To nominate someone, send an email with their name and why they should win the Award to Awards@thisishow.org. Nominations are anonymous, and there is no limit to the number of people you can nominate.
Board and Staff of This Is H.O.W. are not eligible.
Please share this with all the people you know who have an interest in seeing recognition for those who have worked hard for us.
We will take suggestions for additional categories, as well.
Open Voting on the top three nominees in each category will begin on November 17th and end November 23rd, with Awards presented November 26th, at the Housewarming Celebration for Our Own Place.
The residents are spending their first night in their new home, exhausted from being part of the massive move effort, but satisfied with the accomplishments they’ve been a part of. With the help of staff and volunteers, they’re sleeping in their new beds on new sheets, with new pillows. Wonder what they’ll be dreaming about?
All the boxes that need to be unpacked tomorrow!
We could still use YOUR help with several more items, cash donations, and especially, the gift of your time, helping to make the residence a real home. Check your schedule, and your pockets, and please see what you can do to help?
Thank you!
Thanks to the massive amounts of work by our director, staff, board, residents, and fabulous supporters, we have Our Own Place! The final paperwork is being signed, the residents are packed, and Monday, October 17th is moving day!
Everything’s just peachy, right? Wrong! We’ve only just begun!
Anyone who’s ever moved knows how expensive and time consuming it is. We’ve been posting various needs on the Facebook pages, and want to thank those of you who’ve already donated goods and cash and your precious time. We now have a full wish/need list posted here on the website (Our Own Place). We’ll try to keep this updated as different materials are provided. Please spread the word to your friends, family, and organizations that they can help make Our Own Place a home and fabulous resource for the trans community!
If you’ve been to the Facebook group or page, you’ve probably heard we’ve found our new home. The next few weeks will be a frenzy of packing, moving, painting and all the assorted tasks that go hand in hand with moving. And naturally, now, more than ever…..
We Need Your Support!!
You Can Help Make A Difference With Small Change!
Click over in the sidebar to make a donation!
More Ways to Help:
Call or email (see the sidebar) us if you have boxes, packing supplies, cleaning supplies, a moving van you’d like to loan us, or spare time to help move the residents into their new home.
The new version of the Standards of Care is being released this weekend at the Symposium in Atlanta.
TIH has consistently been employing leading edge tools and offering proven materials that enabled providers to stay abreast of the changes in the science and understanding of trans people.
From informed Consent to cultural competency to the declaring reparative therapy on trans children and adults as unethical, we have advocated much of what is now included in these new standards, and will continue to remain ahead of the curve.
Read them yourself: http://www.thisishow.org/Files/soc7.pdf
We will describe in more detail over the coming weeks how our programs assist trans people and their providers in meeting the new Standards of Care.
Please
Today!
Our Own Place to Make Life Better.
That’s what we need, and we need it now. Here’s the press release just sent out:
Press Release
Foreclosure triggers Capital funding campaign: Life Made Better: Our Own Place
Phoenix, Arizona — A local charity, This is HOW, has launched a new project “Life Made Better – Our Own Place” to raise $20,000. Their current property, which was leased, recently received a notice of foreclosure. This property is home to 8 residents who are members of the most underserved population in the Phoenix metro area.
Life Made Better: Our Own Place: The organization must raise a minimum of 20K to ensure their current level of service to the community. Through their housing, education and empowerment programs they have helped over 500 individuals since their launch 6 years ago, including the current Executive Director, Antonia D’orsay, who was rescued from homelessness and given a chance during a deep crisis period in her life. She has also served as the House Manager, and the Chair of the Board before stepping into her current position a year ago. Her ambitious efforts have resulted in the creation of model programs that are highly sought after by social service agencies. She and all of the staff at TIH are volunteers.
The organization’s goal is to ensure that the needs of their constituency are served in the most efficient, cohesive and cost effective manner. The current foreclosure on the leased property has highlighted the need for the organization to own their facility thus ensuring their future ability to be of service to the entire community.
Board member at large, Kim Pearson said, “This project is very important to the community. It helps folks who are homeless by providing a safe haven while they heal from their life crises. We provide opportunities for them to learn the skills they need to move out into the larger community in a healthy and empowered way. This is HOW provides a hand up, rather than a hand out!”
Executive Director Antonia D’orsay said “’Life Made Better’ is our motto, and I live by it. This place saved my life, gave me purpose and direction when I had lost all confidence in myself, and made possible changes in my life that could never have happened without it. The thought of our current residents not having those same life saving opportunities terrifies me. We can’t do it alone, though.”
This Is H.O.W. (TIH) is a six year old 501(c)3 organization that works to reduce homelessness, aid victims of domestic violence, teaches skills to help lift people out of poverty, teaches general life skills, performs advocacy, and handles crisis moments for a segment of the population that is usually ignored, looked down on, or outright denied services by other organizations. Led by Executive Director Antonia D’orsay, it began an extensive expansion of services and dramatically improved its ability to provide services to the men and women it assists while establishing itself as the local expert in their field.
###
Contact:
Antonia D’orsay, Executive Director
http://www.thisishow.org
Director@thisishow.org
lifemadebetter@thisishow.org
623-414-5245
