Why We Exist: The Vision Behind Our Work

At A Haven for Us, we weren’t created to replicate what already exists: We were built to fill the gaps.

We recognize that too many support systems for LGBTQIA+ people — especially trans folks — are hard to access, overly medicalized, or simply not designed with community in mind. We saw how often people were navigating their journeys alone, how many people turned to each other when traditional systems failed, and how mutual support from those who understand is a source of power.

So we created something different.

A Haven for Us is a peer-led, trauma-informed, and trans-affirming organization that puts community care at the center. We’re not a clinic. We’re not a crisis line. We are a grassroots network built by and for people navigating life on the margins — especially queer individuals facing systemic barriers to care, safety, and belonging.

What makes us different?

• We’re radically accessible. Our support groups are free, our resources are low-barrier, we can be accessed nationwide, and our financial assistance is rooted in mutual aid principles — not bureaucracy.

• We believe in peer power. Every group is peer-led. Every voice matters. Lived experience is a credential here.

• We don’t gate-keep care. We support people without condition. You don’t need a diagnosis, paperwork, or proof of “worthiness” to receive help.

• We’re intersectional on purpose. We recognize that race, disability, class, and gender identity all shape how people access support, and we build groups with that in mind.

We’re not here to replace existing services — we’re here to reimagine what support can look like when it’s rooted in trust, dignity, and community leadership. That’s what makes us a haven. That’s what makes this a haven for all of us.