The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is an American non-profit organization that operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. The Trevor Lifeline, a toll-free number, is a confidential service that offers trained counselors. The Trevor Project also provides guidance and vital resources to parents and educators in order to foster safe, accepting and inclusive environments for all youth, at home and at school. The project has been supported by celebrities such as Chris Colfer, Daniel Radcliffe and Kathy Griffin.

History
The Trevor Project was founded by James Lecesne, Peggy Rajski and Randy Stone. They are the creators of the 1994 Academy Award-winning short film, Trevor, a dramedy about a gay 13-year-old boy who, when rejected by friends because of his sexuality, makes an attempt to take his life. When Trevor was scheduled to air on HBO in 1998, the filmmakers realized that some of the program's young viewers might be facing the same kind of crisis as Trevor, and began to search for a support line to be broadcast during the airing. They discovered that no such helpline existed, and decided to dedicate themselves to forming what was, in their view, a much-needed resource: an organization to promote acceptance of LGBTQ youth, and to aid in crisis and suicide prevention among that group.

Thus The Trevor Lifeline was established with seed funds provided by The Colin Higgins Foundation and HBO's license fee. As a result, The Trevor Lifeline became the first nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth. The Trevor Project also provides online support to young people through the organization's website, as well as guidance and resources to educators and parents.

In November of 2009 The Trevor Project was contracted by the Tulare County Suicide Prevention Task Force. With this agreement it the first time The Trevor Project has received public funds. In June of 2009 seven Tulare County volunteers completed The Trevor Project Lifeguard Workshop Facilitator training. Lifeguard workshops have been done in schools in Visalia, Dinuba, Lindsay, Porterville and Hanford to mention a few.

The Trevor Lifeline
The Trevor Lifeline is the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth. The Trevor Lifeline is a free and confidential service that offers hope and someone to talk to, 24/7. The Trevor Lifeline's trained counselors listen and understand without judgment. The Trevor Lifeline's counselors and website can also point you to supportive organizations and groups in your area.

On August 10, 2009, The Trevor Project announced that it received a major cash donation to support the Trevor Lifeline, from Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe. Said Radcliffe in a statement: I am very pleased to begin my support of the Trevor Project, which saves lives every day through its critical work. It's extremely distressing to consider that in 2009 suicide is a top-three killer of young people, and it's truly devastating to learn that LGBTQ youth are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.

Dear Trevor
"Dear Trevor" is an online non-time-sensitive question-and-answer resource for young people with questions surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity.

TrevorChat
TrevorChat is a free, confidential, live and secure online messaging service provided by The Trevor Project. TrevorChat is only intended to assist those who are not at risk for suicide.

TrevorSpace
TrevorSpace is an online, social networking community for LGBTQ youth ages 13 through 24 and their friends and allies. Youth can create personal profiles and connect with other young people throughout the country, as well as find resources within their communities. TrevorSpace is carefully monitored by administrators designated by The Trevor Project to ensure all content is age appropriate, youth-friendly and factual. One way is by monitoring all new typed content posted by members and inspecting any new content sent in by users. This is one of the most protective sites for LGBTQ children ever made. This ensures the site provides the safest space possible for its young members. TrevorSpace also links members to The Trevor Project's home page, where information about The Trevor Lifeline, "Dear Trevor," and other important, lifesaving resources is available. The TrevorSpace interface is a youth-only model of Connexion.org, a popular LGBTQ networking site. The software used to create TrevorSpace was donated to The Trevor Project by Tim Gill, an American software entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Palette Fund Internship Program
The Trevor Project provides for 5 internships in both their Los Angeles and New York offices. Interns are placed among the program, communication and development departments and provides an opportunity for young people to learn about working in the non-profit sector. Palette Fund internships are specifically designed to introduce young leaders to the LGBTQ movement.

Youth Advisory Council
The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) serves as a liaison between youth nationwide and The Trevor Project, as it relates to young people and the issues surrounding suicide, sexuality and gender identity. The YAC submits recommendations to The Trevor Project in an effort to increase Trevor visibility and best serve the LGBTQ youth population.

Survival kits
The Trevor Survival Kit is an educational kit distributed nationwide to schools and youth service providers to help educators constructively facilitate discussions with students about issues surrounding suicide, gender identity and sexual orientation.

School workshops
The Trevor Project's Lifeguard Workshop Program uses a structured, age-appropriate curriculum to address topics around sexuality, gender identity, the impacts of language and behavior, and what it means for young people to feel different. The Workshop also teaches young people to recognize depression and suicide amongst their peers, the impacts of language and behavior on LGBTQ youth, and suicide prevention skills in schools.