Transgender Emergency Fund kicks into gear

This month, the newly created Transgender Emergency Fund (TEF) will begin helping transgender and transsexual individuals pay their bills. After holding two fundraisers, TEF reached its original fundraising goal of $2500 and has begun accepting applications from individuals who are in need of financial help. The fund was started to provide financial assistance to low-income trans people struggling to pay medical co-pays, prescription co-pays, utility bills and other basic expenses.

Jesse Pack, creator of the TEF, said that in the fund's brief existence so far they have already seen how great the need is for financial assistance in the trans community.

"So far it's been two days and we've already received about four applications, so there's a tremendous need we're finding already," said Pack.

TEF asks applicants to enclose proof of income with their application as well as copies of bills and a signed authorization of release which would give the fund permission to send checks to each company the individual needs help paying.

Individuals interested in applying send their applications directly to Pack, who sends the application to a committee of community members and volunteers - all of whom have signed agreements to maintain the confidentiality of those applying for assistance - who review the information and decide whether to approve the application and how much money to grant. Pack emphasized that people who receive assistance through the fund will in no way be identified on any external paperwork as being transgender.

Although there is no limit on how much aid individuals can receive from the fund, Pack said that the TEF will not be able to meet all the financial needs of their applicants.

"We understand that there are people that have tremendous needs and we're trying to help in the best way that we can, but we also recognize that we're probably at this point not going to be able to pay for every single thing that people need help with," said Pack.

The organization is looking into the possibility of having another fundraising event later in the fall, although no date has been set yet. As of now, the fund is relying on individual donations, the volume of which has surprised Pack.

"I've personally been very impressed with the outpouring of support from the general community," said Pack. "A lot of people have just sent checks to us. It's not just trans people and its not just gay and lesbian and bisexual people, but its straight allies as well."

To donate to the fund, make checks out to AIDS Project Worcester and write "Transgender Emergency Fund" in the memo line. Checks can be sent to: Transgender Emergency Fund c/o AIDS Project Worcester, 85 Green Street, Worcester MA, 01604. To learn more about the fund or to apply for assistance call Pack at 508.755.3773 or e-mail [email protected].