Become a Joy Builder

Join the Movement

Who funds us? We fund us.

Become a Monthly Member of Joy as Resistance.

Queer youth deserve more than survival—they deserve joy, safety, and belonging.

At Joy as Resistance, we’re building a radically inclusive ecosystem of care for LGBTQIA2S+ youth in Colorado. From affirming therapy and mentorship to school transformation and educator training, we’re reimagining what it means to support queer youth holistically—not just in crisis, but in community.

But we can’t do it alone. We need people like you—LGBTQ+ Coloradans and our allies—who believe in collective care and long-term change.

💖 Why Your Monthly Support Matters

LGBTQIA2+ youth in Colorado—and across the country—are facing a growing mental health crisis, fueled by systemic inequities, political attacks, and a lack of affirming spaces. National data is staggering:

  • 41% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year.

  • Over 60% couldn’t access the mental health care they needed.

  • Only 22% attend schools with comprehensive anti-bullying policies.

Meanwhile, Colorado is becoming a refuge state, drawing queer youth and families fleeing hostility elsewhere. This makes our work urgent—and your support more vital than ever.

Your monthly gift sustains a model that wraps around queer youth and transforms the systems around them—from their schools to their families to their sense of self.

🌱 What You’re Powering

As a monthly donor, you're helping build and sustain a unique, integrated model of support:

  • Clinical Services – Trauma-informed, affirming therapy for queer youth ages 10–24, covered by Medicaid and accessible statewide.

  • Big Queer, Little Queer Mentorship – Identity-affirming 1:1 and group mentorship that helps youth find connection, confidence, and belonging.

  • Joyful Spaces – Training and consulting for educators, student GSA groups/queer affinity spaces, and institutions to make schools and nonprofits truly inclusive and affirming for LGBTQ+ youth.

Each program is powerful on its own—and transformational together.

📊 Your Impact, Every Month

Thanks to our growing community of supporters, in the past 5 years:

  • 150+ youth receive affirming care each year

  • 600+ educators have transformed their practice

  • 95% of trained professionals report improved confidence in supporting queer youth

  • 80% of therapy clients report improved or sustained wellness

  • 85% of mentored youth report increased self-confidence and support networks

With your monthly support, we can deepen this impact and scale it across the state.

✊🏽 Why Monthly?

Monthly gifts allow us to plan ahead, scale sustainably, and remain nimble in a volatile landscape. Whether it’s $5 or $50 a month, you become part of a powerful, grassroots movement sustaining hope, healing, and resistance.

In a time when federal funding and philanthropy are shrinking and attacks on our community are intensifying, your consistent support builds the infrastructure we need to keep showing up.

💬 From Crisis to Community. From Isolation to Belonging.

Joy as Resistance isn’t just providing services—we’re changing the systems that serve LGBTQ+ youth. Our youth-centered leadership model ensures the people closest to the work shape its direction. Our programs don’t just respond to crisis—they nurture resilience, spark joy, and build futures.

Will you stand with us?

👉 Become a Monthly Member Today

Together, we can build a Colorado where every queer young person has the care, connection, and affirmation they deserve.

Please find the monthly membership tiers below!

Membership Tiers & Perks:

🌱 Seedling ($5-24/month)

  • Quarterly digital membership newsletter with youth stories and program updates

  • Access to exclusive "Joy Spotlights" - monthly videos featuring youth, mentors, and educators

  • Invitation to quarterly Community Circles to connect with other supporters, staff, and youth leaders

  • "Roots Report" - deeper quarterly impact stories

  • Window cling

🌿 Roots ($25-49/month)

  • All Seedling perks, plus:

  • Free entry to 1 "Joy Celebration" event (ex. Gayla)

  • Personalized thank-you card

🌸 Bloom($50-99/month)

  • All Roots perks, plus:

  • First access to new Joy as Resistance merchandise

  • Optional quarterly virtual coffee chat with our Co-Executive Directors or Board members—your voice matters

  • Site visits (when appropriate)

  • Recognition on the Joy Builders Wall of Gratitude on our website (optional)

🔥 Movement Builder ($100+/month)

  • All Bloom perks, plus:

  • Invitation to our annual Joy Builders Vision Session—a collaborative strategy space to help guide our work

  • Gratitude spotlight in our annual report (with your permission)

  • A joy-filled surprise gift each year, created in collaboration with our youth and community