History
The Network Collaborative was founded out of TYSN's mission to promote racial, social, and economic justice for trans youth. In 2004 several incidences of violence targeting young trans women of color erupted. As a direct response, community members and trans youth formed partnerships and started conversations about how to be accountable to the needs of young trans women of color. Many of the people carrying these conversations forward were social workers from agencies like the Sexual Violence Center, Face to Face, OutFront, and District 202. After several meetings, this group decided to structure a system of community accountability that centers ending violence towards young trans women of color and reducing barriers trans youth encounter in meeting their basic needs.
How We Make it Happen
There are currently over 25 organizations involved in the Network Collaborative. These organizations work in six subcommittees:
- Legal Justice
- Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence
- Housing
- Healthcare
- Education
TYSN Network Members are encouraged to:
- Sign the Memorandum of Understanding thereby formalizing the partnership.
- Represent their organization at Quarterly Full Network Collaborative Meetings and in Quarterly Subcommittee Meetings to engage in discussion, organizing, and educational activities with peers. This is time for community members to hold each other accountable and for us to build our collective strength . This can look like asking for help overhauling your intake procedures, or preparing a presentation on your protocol for administering hormones, or initiating conversation regarding an incident of violence in the community. Click here for a calander of all upcoming events and meetings.
- Utilize TYSN's Public Education Services like youth panels, trainings, or consultations to increase accessibility and cultural sensitivity with trans and gender non-conforming youth. These tools are flexible and adaptable to whatever work is happening with TYSN Network Collaborative Members.
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Participate in the TYSN's Youth Member Evaluation process. Each TYSN Network Collaborative Member is encouraged to have trans youth give them feedback directly, on an ongoing (at least annual) basis. We believe that the voices of those most affected by our work should be heard the loudest. This evaluation process is still being drafted and is necessarily a dynamic and organic one. Things to expect are:
- Evaluative questions via written questionnaire for Network Members to fill out and return to Youth Members.
- Direct consultation with TYSN Youth Members to assess these results and decide on concrete next steps
- Reporting on progress to the TYSN Network Collaborative and broader community
- Payment of TYSN Youth Members (at least $50 each)
- Download the "How We Make it Happen" Flowchart
