Queensland support service for trans youth secures funding
Image: Jelly Beans is run by Queensland's Open Doors Youth Service. Image: Facebook.
Queensland鈥檚 only dedicated support service for young trans people has received funding to remain open, despite being threatened with closure last year.
Jellybeans, a program run by Brisbane鈥檚 , relies on donations and looked set to close after receiving only $6,718.65 in donations in the 2016 financial year.
The to save Jellybeans has since raised an additional聽$4,000.
General Manager Pam Barker said the organisation aims to raise $100,000 to support the program over the next 12 months.
Open Doors has also obtained a $20,000 grant to pay for a youth worker to continue working with Jellybeans until the end of June. The organisation continues to seek additional funding to remain open.
Sixty per cent of Open Doors clients are trans or gender diverse. Many have experienced mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression, and 30 per cent have had thoughts of suicide.
鈥淲hat we do is important and improves the lives of LGBTI youth,鈥� said Barker. 鈥淭his is why we thank [the community] for your generosity and support.鈥�
