Dear Friend of The Center Project,

I’ll be honest with you: 2023 has been a hard year for the LGBTQIA+ community in Mid-Missouri and beyond. I don’t want to dwell too much on the negativity, but I want to be upfront about how challenging this year has been.

We have seen critical healthcare access ripped away from transgender young people and adults in Missouri, at the same time legislators work to ban drag shows, limit trans people’s access to public bathrooms, prevent trans young people from playing team sports, and remove LGBTQIA+ stories from libraries.

As we work together to support those most directly affected by these attacks, we’re so grateful to the broader community for stepping up to support TCP through donations, volunteering, and advocacy! We really can’t thank you enough.

Your support helped us create the Emergency Fund to help LGBTQIA+ individuals in crisis, while also growing our programs and resources for youth, adults, and families. These programs, like the Prism youth group, Gender Blender for trans and non-binary folks, and P4P for parents of queer youth, make a dramatic impact on people’s lives.

As you know, the holiday giving season is right around the corner. TCP is proud to participate again in the annual ComoGives campaign, which launches on Giving Tuesday, November 28.

We’ve set an ambitious goal this year to raise $25,000 during ComoGives and win at least one of the challenge grants. I hope you’ll choose to help.

We know our programs and resources, including our Emergency Fund, will be needed in 2024. Your support this year will help set us up for success.

If you’re a current donor, I hope you’ll consider continuing and even increasing your support for TCP before December 31. If you’re new to donating to TCP, we would be so grateful for your support. LGBTQIA+ kids, adults, and families are counting on you.

Thank you for supporting our local LGBTQIA+ community!

Gratefully,

Christi Kelly

TCP Board President

2023-2024 TCP Board of Directors

From left: David Leon, Dion Wisniewski, Christi Kelly, former board member Kerri Schafer, Camaron Nielsen, Ember Mountain, Kim Leon, Anthony Plogger, Mandy Schick, Mariah Journey, Janet Davis, and Cameron Lee