.gay Community Spotlight on T.A.K.E. Resource Center
For this week's .gay Community Spotlight, we had the pleasure of speaking with T.A.K.E. Resource Center, an organization that is leading the forefront in social justice advocacy and equality for all Black and Brown Transgender people in Alabama.
Check out our conversation below to learn more about their work.
How would you describe your organization’s mission?
The main mission of T.A.K.E. is to improve the quality of life for Black and Brown transgender folx in Alabama by helping to meet their daily needs and increasing the accessibility to any resources that may be needed, such as transportation, food and housing issues, peer support groups, clothing and hygiene products.
Tell us about how that mission is brought to life through your work?
On a daily basis we provide everything from transportation and linkage to care; A drop-in space where our community members can come for daily peer support groups, snacks and a hot meal, as well as stopping by our clothing boutique to grab anything from shoes, clothes, hygiene and household products. We also have a Safe Haven for our community members who are experiencing homelessness.
What would happen if your organization suddenly did not exist?
If the doors of T.A.K.E. were to ever close, there would be a community that is already marginalized that will be displaced with no emergency crisis shelter and no peer support groups and no emergency funding for the transgender community.
What can people do to get involved and help make sure that never happens?
Continue to donate. The funds are used for our daily operations: Transportation van, Drop-in Center, food for both the center and the Safe Haven, and our emergency crisis fund, which we use to help our community members with bills, if needed.
Why does LGBTQ+ visibility matter to you?
As a community member I understand that representation matters. Most of LGBTQ+ representation is often white, which leads to the erasure of the people of color within the LGBTQ+ community and can leave them feeling invisible to the rest of society. Seeing a community of Sisters and Brothers who look just like you matters!!
In your own words, what does “LGBTQ+ safety and support” mean specifically?
LGBTQ+ safety and support means making sure all LGBTQ+ people can be their authentic selves and feel safe and supported while doing it.
Who are some of your LGBTQ+ heroes?
Janetta Johnson, Sharyn Grayson, Bre’ Rivera, Ms. Major
If you could give LGBTQ+ youth one message, what would it be?
Be you! Don’t change who you are for anybody but yourself! Remember, this is YOUR life so walk in your truth…Be true to yourself!
Tell us about a time when you felt like the work you do at your organization really mattered or made a difference for the communities you serve?
There are too many things to name off here. Working in direct service we can see our work making an impact everyday. For example, when you have a community member who is experiencing homelessness show up and you can house them immediately; When you have community members who rely on this center for basic daily needs such as a hot meal, a hot shower or just basic peer support, and you can provide those services.
Anything else you would like to share with the .gay audience?
We would like to challenge everyone to get involved in the life-changing work that we’re doing in Alabama by volunteering or donating here. Feel free to follow any of our Social Media accounts to keep up with us.
Learn more about T.A.K.E. here.
