Madison, WI— OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center, together with OPEN Foundation, is proud to announce the launch of a groundbreaking program that has been generously supported by A Fund for Women, a component fund of Madison Community Foundation. This initiative is designed to provide support to transgender women and transfeminine individuals in Dane County in overcoming barriers to employment.
“This collaboration is an opportunity to drive real change, dismantle barriers, and elevate the voices of transgender women”, said Gabe Loredo, Transgender Advocate at OutReach. Transgender women and transfeminine individuals, particularly those of color, are among the most vulnerable communities in the nation. They contend with staggering rates of poverty, discrimination, harassment, violence, limited job opportunities, health disparities, and social isolation. These systemic challenges have resulted in a cycle of economic instability and exclusion, impacting the well-being of individuals and the community as a whole.
Both AJ Hardie, Program Director at Outreach and Heidi Duss, Founder of OPEN Foundation agree that the partnership between OutReach and the OPEN Foundation marks a monumental moment, and that together, they are co-authoring a new chapter of empowerment and equality in the community.
This transformative program has a clear vision—to empower transgender women and transfeminine individuals with the skills, knowledge, and connections required to access higher-paying careers. Beyond individual empowerment, the program aims to break down systemic barriers that hinder career progression for this community, fostering a more inclusive and equitable workforce that benefits the entire Dane County community.
To be eligible for participation in this program, individuals must meet the following criteria:
- Identify as a transgender woman or transfeminine person.
- Be over the age of 18.
- Be a resident of Dane County.
To apply for funding or seek further information about the program, potential participants are encouraged to contact OutReach’s Transgender Advocate, Gabriel Loredo, via email at gabel@lgbtoutreach.org or by phone at 608-255-8582.
