On Trans Visibility Day, Jim Colllins Announces Grant Recipients

The Jim Collins Foundation (JCF), a national nonprofit organization with a mission to fund gender-affirming surgeries, is thrilled to announce our 2015 grant recipients and open up a new grant cycle, starting at midnight tonight. Jim Collins Foundation 2015 Grant Recipients include Alexander, Alexandria Fresh, and Rose Groeschel.

"On this Transgender Day of Visibility, we are pleased to share the powerful stories of our grant recipients: Alexander, Alexandria, and Rose," said Kylie Aquino, JCF President. "Like so many in the transgender community struggling to survive, they are following their dreams, and the Jim Collins Foundation is excited to support them."

Health care discrimination against trans people is linked to high suicide rates in the trans community. More than 300 people applied for this year's grant, demonstrating urgency and financial need. With the addition of this year's grantees, the Jim Collins Foundation has awarded a total of 11 grants since its founding in 2008, thanks to hundreds of individual donors from around the country and pro bono services provided by renowned surgeons Dr. Christine McGinn and Dr. Marci Bowers.

With the announcement of the new Krysallis Anne Hembrough Legacy Fund, the Jim Collins Foundation now offers two grant options. General Fund grants cover 100 percent of the medical fees associated with the gender-affirming surgery. Hembrough Grants cover 50 percent of the medical fees associated with the gender-affirming surgery, requiring each recipient to match grant monies received with their own financial source. Applicants may only apply once per grant cycle, and in their application must choose one of the grant options for which to be considered.

"The Jim Collins Foundation grant is the opportunity of a lifetime. It has given my dream of completion wings, and set the stage for the next act of my story," said 2015 JCF Grantee Alexandria Fresh.

This young transwoman first came out to her mother in 8th grade, saying she was attracted to men, but didn't like being called gay. She soon realized she was transgender and in college, began experimenting with dressing up, but was miserable in her small town. After experimenting with black market hormones, Alexandria can now undergo gender reassignment surgery to make her dream a reality.

"Please do not give up hope. It sounds clich�, but remember, you are not alone," said 2015 JCF Grantee Rose Groeschel. "There are kind people out there who really do care and want to help. Together, everyone can make a difference."

Groeschel said that she knew she was a girl even at preschool, and prayed to God every night to make her a girl. Doctors attributed her gender dysphoria to having two lesbian parents. But by 17, her family moved to the West Coast and she legally changed her name. The grant from Jim Collins Foundation lets her anticipate a better future.

At 34, Grant Recipient Alexander learned a lot about surviving. Now, he looks forward to making a difference in the trans community in Guadalajara, Mexico, after he graduates college.

"It feels like I am living inside a great dream, and every time I think about it or write about it, I start crying of happiness," said 2015 JCF Grantee Alexander. "My heart has this fullness right now that I have not felt in a long time. I will forever be thankful to the Jim Collins Foundation and everyone who has donated to make this dream possible."