PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Seeing Rainbows, a trans-led and operated organization whose mission is to build sustainable and supportive trans community through producing and presenting liberating art and experiences by and for trans and other marginalized peoples, has received a targeted grant from Greylock Federal Credit Union in partial sponsorship of the its Mutual Aid Fund. 

 

This project prioritizes direct aid to trans and nonbinary people, including support for gender affirming clothing, food, and other basic needs. With this grant, Greylock also becomes the first local institution to provide financial support to this Berkshire-based trans organization. The $500 grant is also the first institutional support for the organization's mutual aid fund, which has thus far received individual donations. 

 

"This funding allows us to put money directly in the hands of trans and nonbinary members of our community who are in need. As a long time nonprofit professional, it is heartening to see this level of trust placed in such a new organization and we hope to continue to prove worthy of that trust by putting this, and other forthcoming funding, to good use in our community," co-founder and executive director, maayan nuri héd.

 

"At Greylock, we believe that having access to basic resources is something that should be available to all members of our community. Through conversations first led by my colleague, Rachel Melendez Mabee, Greylock learned of this meaningful opportunity to support the work of Seeing Rainbows through its mutual aid fund. We're extremely proud to extend this donation that will help to enhance the lives of all those connected to Seeing Rainbows," Jennifer Connor Shumsky, Assistant Vice President, Community Support and Events.

 

Since the organization's founding in May of this year, Seeing Rainbows has hosted a slew of events, including weekly hikes, a monthly art workshop, and others, in addition to providing clothing assistance and mutual aid in the local trans community. In the coming month, the salon series will return to The Foundry in West Stockbridge on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7:00pm for a focused workshop on devised theatre led by the venue's Producing Artistic Director, Amy Brentano. On Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 7-10pm, a Trans Day of Remembrance "Existence is Resistance" Celebration will be held at WANDER in Pittsfield, featuring performances by trans and nonbinary artists and in support of the Seeing Rainbows Mutual Aid Fund. Additional Nov. events include the monthly Trans Art Workshop at Berkshire Art Center's studios in the Brothership Building at 141 North Street in Pittsfield, on Friday, Nov. 22 from 6–8pm, with the organization's third Trans Dance Class held in partnership with Berkshire Pulse at the latter organization's Housatonic studios Sunday, November 24 from 2:30-3:30pm. Salon and the Trans Day of Remembrance Celebration are open to all, while Trans Art Workshop and Trans Dance Class are closed, for trans and nonbinary community only.

 

Offering a mix of "closed" (meaning open to trans- and non-binary audiences only) and "open" activities that welcome cis allies to be in community with Seeing Rainbows trans audiences helps to foster a sense of safety and belonging within the trans community, enabling more opportunities for interaction and understanding with the broader community. To align with its mission of offering liberating experiences, all of Seeing Rainbows' programming is offered on a pay-what-you-can / no-one-turned-away-for-lack-of-funds (PWYC/NOTAFLOF).