Sam & Devorah Foundation for Trans Youth

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About Sam & Devorah Foundation for Trans Youth

Sam & Devorah Foundation for Trans Youth, based in Chatham, NJ, operates a comprehensive national mentoring and youth empowerment program dedicated to supporting transgender and non-binary young people. The organization offers innovative programming designed to foster belonging, resilience, and wellbeing through evidence-based approaches grounded in peer-reviewed research and continuous program evaluation. Their flagship Trans Mentor Project pairs trans and non-binary teens and young adults, ages 13-24, with affirming mentors ages 23 and older who provide identity-affirming guidance and support to help mentees meet personal goals and thrive in their communities. Beyond mentoring, the foundation hosts immersive Youth Retreats for ages 12-17 and Leadership Retreats for retreat counselors ages 23-30, creating safe spaces where participants celebrate their identities, build community connections, and develop essential life skills. All programs prioritize accessibility, ensuring that geographic location, disability, lack of transportation, economic hardship, or safety concerns do not prevent participation. The organization's strengths-based framework centers positive youth development, empowering young people to analyze systems that impact their wellbeing and develop the agency to create meaningful change. As a trans-led organization serving the Chatham, New Jersey area and nationwide, nearly all leadership—including staff, board members, and volunteers—identify as trans or non-binary, ensuring authentic representation and decision-making power within the organization. Programs emphasize trans joy, intergenerational community building, and intersectional approaches that honor the full complexity of participants' lived experiences.