A community that supports all young people thrives.
The Trans Teen Project was formally founded in 2012 by the Queer Youth Task Force to cultivate connection, awareness, and support for trans youth in Santa Cruz County. The project had its initial beginnings in 2003 following the successful Trans March organized by the STRANGE queer youth program and youth activist Kevin West. A Trans Awareness Week was created to support the Trans March with educational programming to help spread awareness within the broader Santa Cruz County community on the needs of trans youth. The events led to successful media coverage and broad support. Over the following years, trans programming was implemented within the Queer Youth Task Force, including QSA/GSA Summits, Safe School Project programs, and the Queer Youth Leadership Awards. In 2011, the Trans Teen Project received a generous grant from the Savitt Family Foundation to fund a coordinator and establish specific programming for the trans youth community of Santa Cruz County.
Vision
We envision a safe, welcoming community in which all youth are supported, regardless of gender identity or expression. This includes freedom for individual expression without fear of retribution, access to resources and support networks, and empowerment through connection and mentorship.
Values
We strive to improve the quality of life for all transgender youth in our community by:
- Empowering youth to share their voices and support them in their individual journey of self-discovery.
- Fostering Confidence in body, expression, identity, and self.
- Connecting transgender youth with transgender mentors in order to share stories, ask questions, and receive support.
- Creating a Visible space for transgender voices to share their stories and be heard. Every body and every identification is encouraged to contribute stories, poems, songs, blog excerpts, videos or any other expression of voice. Your voice matters.