The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project
FoundedMarch 25, 1998; 25 years ago (1998-03-25)
Founders
95-4681287
Legal status501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
FocusCrisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth
HeadquartersWest Hollywood, California, U.S.
Coordinates34°05′14″N 118°22′48″W / 34.08717°N 118.38006°W / 34.08717; -118.38006
MethodSuicide prevention through its free and confidential lifeline, in-school workshops, educational materials, online resources, and advocacy.
Julian Moore
N/A
Revenue (2020)
US$25,598,014
Expenses (2020)US$18,948,654
Employees (2016)
97
Volunteers (2016)
925
Websitethetrevorproject.org

The Trevor Project is an American nonprofit organization founded in 1998. Focused on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, they offer a toll-free telephone number where confidential assistance is provided by trained counselors. The stated goals of the project are to provide crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for youth (defined by the organization as people under 25), as well as to offer guidance and resources to parents and educators in order to foster safe, accepting, and inclusive environments for all youth, at home, schools and colleges.

History

Then-senator Al Franken discussing LGBT suicide and the Trevor Project

The project was founded in 1998 in West Hollywood, California, by Celeste Lecesne, Peggy Rajski, and Randy Stone. They are the creators of the 1994 Academy Award–winning short film Trevor, a dramedy about Trevor, a gay thirteen-year-old boy who, when rejected by friends because of his sexuality, attempts suicide. When the film was scheduled to air on HBO television in 1998, the filmmakers realized that some of the program's young viewers might be facing the same kind of crisis as Trevor and began to search for a support line to be broadcast during the airing. They discovered that no such helpline existed and decided to dedicate themselves to forming the resource: an organization to promote acceptance of LGBTQ youth, and to aid in crisis and suicide prevention among that group.

The Trevor Lifeline was established with seed funds provided by The Colin Higgins Foundation and HBO's license fee. As a result, it became the first nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth. The project also provides online support to young people through the project's website, as well as guidance and resources to educators and parents.

In November 2009, the project was contracted by the Tulare County Suicide Prevention Task Force, located in Tulare County, California. With this agreement, the project received public funds for the first time. In June 2009, seven Tulare County volunteers completed The Trevor Project Lifeguard Workshop Facilitator training. “Lifeguard workshops” have been done in schools in Tulare County municipalities, including Dinuba, Lindsay, Porterville and Visalia, as well as in Hanford in adjacent Kings County.

In 2021, the first openly gay active NFL player, Carl Nassib, used his coming out to also announce a $100,000 donation to The Trevor Project. Additionally, The Trevor Project has been supported by various other celebrities, including Melanie Martinez, Ellen DeGeneres, Troye Sivan, Kathy Griffin, Shay Mitchell, Daniel Radcliffe, Neil Patrick Harris, James Marsden, Chris Colfer, Kim Kardashian, Darren Criss, Dianna Agron, George Takei, Anderson Cooper, and John Oliver.

From 2016 to 2022 the CEO of The Trevor Project was Amit Paley. During this period the Trevor Project grew its revenue from $5M to over $60M which included a financial reserve of $50M. In 2019, for the first time in the organization's history TrevorText went from limited operating hours to a 24/7 text and chat counseling services. In October 2022 The Trevor Project launched free digital services in Mexico.

In November 2022, The Trevor Project's Board of Directors announced that Amit Paley had been removed effective immediately. The organization's Board of Directors announced that co-founder, Peggy Rajski, would be the interim CEO. Following this news, media outlets also reported that over 200 employees had signed a letter expressing their displeasure with former CEO, Amit Paley, and numerous employees had expressed concerns over the organization's growth and his ability to manage effectively.

Research

The Trevor Project also undertakes mental health research focusing on LGBTQ youth. According to the project's strategic plan, "The Trevor Project will expand the scale of its flagship national survey while continuing to grow visibility and general public consumption of its research; and to incorporate new studies, scientific advances, and research protocols to build on its thought leadership and the impact of its programs." As of 2022, research found that 14% of LGBTQ youth reported a past-year suicide attempt, with LGBTQ youth of color and transgender and nonbinary reporting higher rates illustrating the importance of examining findings intersectionally."

Projects

The Trevor Lifeline

Nancy Pelosi visiting the Trevor Project's San Francisco Harvey Milk Call Center in 2011

The Trevor Lifeline is a nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth in the United States. The lifeline is a free and confidential service from counselors trained to listen without judgement and can refer callers to supportive local organizations and groups. The number for the line in the United States is 1-866-488-7386.

TrevorText

TrevorText is a confidential text messaging service provided by The Trevor Project, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by texting "START" to 678-678.

TrevorChat

TrevorChat is a free, confidential, live and secure online messaging service provided by The Trevor Project, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

TrevorSpace

TrevorSpace is an online social networking community for LGBTQ+ youth ages 13 through 24, along with their friends and allies. Youth can create personal profiles, which are verified by the administrators before they are allowed to interact with other profiles, and connect with other young people internationally, as well as find resources within their communities. TrevorSpace is commonly used to receive or give advice and make friends who have shared similar experiences as the user. TrevorSpace is carefully monitored by administrators designated by the project to ensure all content is age-appropriate, youth-friendly and factual. Members over the age of 18 cannot privately message members under the age of 18. TrevorSpace links members to The Trevor Project's home page, where information about The Trevor Lifeline, "Dear Trevor," and other resources are available. The software used to create TrevorSpace was donated to the project by Tim Gill, an American software entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Palette Fund Internship Program

Through the Palette Fund Internship Program, the project provides for five internships in both its Los Angeles and New York City offices. Interns are placed among the program, communication, and development departments. The program provides an opportunity for young people to learn about working in the non-profit sector. Palette Fund internships are specifically designed to introduce young leaders to the LGBTQ movement.

Youth Advisory Council

The Youth Advisory Council serves as a liaison between youth nationwide and the project on issues surrounding suicide, sexuality and gender identity. The council submits recommendations to the project in an effort to increase project visibility and best serve the LGBTQ youth population.

School workshops

The project's Lifeguard Workshop Program uses a structured, age-appropriate curriculum to address topics around sexuality, gender identity, the impacts of language and behavior, and what it means for young people to feel different. The program also teaches young people to recognize depression and suicide amongst their peers, the impacts of language and behavior on LGBTQ youth, and suicide prevention skills in schools.

Fundraisers and annual awards ceremonies

Tyler Oakley's fundraiser

On February 10, 2014, YouTube personality Tyler Oakley started a fundraiser to collect $150,000 for the Trevor Project. Oakley set the deadline for the money to be collected by the time of his birthday, March 22, but the goal was reached earlier than expected. Oakley later extended the fundraiser and more than $462,000 had been raised on March 29. On March 31, the fundraiser ended, with a total of $525,754 raised.

Annual Award Ceremony Fundraisers

The Trevor Project uses annual events to honor individuals and businesses that have been leaders in supporting LGBT rights and advocated against bullying and hate crimes. In 1998, it held the first Cracked Xmas fundraiser in Los Angeles, changing its name to TrevorLIVE Los Angeles in 2010. In 2001, a New York City-based annual event was added, using entertainers to raise financial resources for the organization. This NYC-based event has had three names, beginning as "A Very Funny Whatever", changing to TrevorNY in 2007 and then to TrevorLIVE New York in 2011. In the 2018 financial year (August 2017–July 2018), these events raised over $3,030,000.

List of Ceremonies

Ceremonies
Ceremony Date Event
December 2002 Cracked Xmas 5
December 2003 Cracked Xmas 6
December 2004 Cracked Xmas 7
May 20, 2005 A Totally Funny Whatever 5
December 2005 Cracked Xmas 8
June 22, 2006 A Totally Funny Whatever 6
December 3, 2006 Cracked Xmas 9
June 25, 2007 TrevorNY
December 2007 Cracked Xmas 10
June 2008 TrevorNY
December 7, 2008 Cracked Xmas 11
June 29, 2009 TrevorNY
December 6, 2009 Cracked Xmas 12
June 28, 2010 TrevorNY
December 2010 TrevorLIVE Los Angeles
June 27, 2011 TrevorLIVE New York
December 4, 2011 TrevorLive Los Angeles
June 25, 2012 TrevorLIVE New York
December 2, 2012 TrevorLIVE Los Angeles
June 17, 2013 TrevorLIVE New York
December 8, 2013 TrevorLIVE Los Angeles
June 16, 2014 TrevorLIVE New York
December 7, 2014 TrevorLIVE Los Angeles
June 2015 TrevorLIVE New York
December 6, 2015 TrevorLIVE Los Angeles
June 13, 2016 TrevorLIVE New York
December 5, 2016 TrevorLIVE Los Angeles
June 2017 TrevorLIVE New York
December 2017 TrevorLIVE Los Angeles
June 2018 TrevorLIVE New York
December 2018 TrevorLIVE Los Angeles
June 2019 TrevorLIVE New York
November 17, 2019 TrevorLIVE Los Angeles

Awards

Trevor Hero Award

This award honors an individual who, through their example, support, volunteerism or occupation, is an inspiration to LGBTQ youth.

Trevor Youth Innovator Award

Awarded to people under the age of 25 who work to support, inspire, and empower LGBTQ youth.

Trevor Commitment Award & Trevor 20/20 Visionary Award

Awarded to businesses that support LGBT rights, started in 2007.

Trevor Life Award

The Trevor Life Award honors a person who is an inspiration to LGBTQ youth.

Trevor Hope Award

The Trevor Hope Award is presented to businesses that have demonstrated support for the LGBTQ community and "has increased the visibility and understanding of LGBT issues." It was first presented in 2004.

Icon/Champions Award

The Trevor Champions Award is presented to individuals in recognition of their "continued allyship and commitment to supporting The Trevor Project's mission to end suicide among LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning) young people".

2023 labor dispute

In April 2023, Trevor Project staffers formed Friends of Trevor United, a union affiliated with CWA. In July, during collective bargaining, management terminated 12% of bargaining unit employees, about one-third of whom were union leaders. Friends of Trevor responded by filing an Unfair Labor Practice complaint, alleging targeted retaliation.

See also


This page was last updated at 2023-11-23 03:39 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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