Diverse and Resilient Receives Grant from the Women’s Fund
By: Gary Hollander, Ph.D. - Posted on: 1/2/2008

SHEBA (Sisters Helping Each other Battle AIDS), a program of Diverse and Resilient, Inc., received a $5,000 grant from the Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee, Inc. for Girl Talk Retreat II. Girl Talk is designed to address HIV prevention among MtF participants and will, with the support of this funding, also address sexism directed towards transgender women and sexism attitudes and behaviors that they also continue as people initially socialized as men. “This funding represents a major investment and commitment to social justice by the Women’s Fund,” said Brenda Coley, Director of Adult Services at Diverse and Resilient. “By addressing sexism among and toward trans women, Girl Talk will help them make strides in self-advocacy and leadership Development.”

The grant was one of 13 recently awarded by the Women’s Fund for programs that advance access, equity and social justice. The Women’s Fund is the first and largest permanent resource in Wisconsin dedicated exclusively to funding and advocacy for the merging needs of women and girls. Since its establishment in 1985, the Women’s Fund has invested $1.5 million in cutting-edge programs at more than 100 community-based agencies in the Greater Milwaukee area.

SHEBA is one of several leadership development programs offered to transgender, bisexual, and lesbian women in the community. Connexus, YOUTHINK, New Community/New Beginning, ASTP, annual health forums, tobacco cessation, and community assessment of intimate partner violence all offer opportunities for involvement.

Founded in 1995, Diverse and Resilient’s mission is the healthy development of LGBT people in Wisconsin by addressing the infrastructure and leadership development needs of organizations and individuals who serve them.