Our Story: Building a Legacy of Resilience

In a world of shifting priorities and growing uncertainty, the need for affirming, community-rooted care has never been greater. At the School of Opulence, we are dedicated to uplifting Queer communities of color in Chicago's South East Corridor through innovative programming and unwavering support. But we can’t do this alone.

This Giving Tuesday, we ask for your help to ensure the sustainability of programs that are changing lives and empowering our community to thrive. Programs like Opulence For Everyone, our gender-affirming mental health group therapy initiative, have become a lifeline for many in our community. Post-session surveys reveal that participants feel a deeper sense of self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience. This is vital work—filling a gap that traditional systems often overlook.

Our harm reduction program provides tailored navigation to critical resources, addressing essential social determinants of health like housing, food justice, job and career assistance, and access to primary care. These are not just services; they are pathways to stability and dignity, especially for youth and others disproportionately affected by systemic inequities.

Thanks to partnerships with local businesses like Experimental Station and Build Coffee, we’ve expanded our reach into the Southeast Corridor, bringing our impactful programming closer to those who need it most. These collaborations not only create welcoming spaces for our community but also reinvest in the local economy, amplifying the ripple effect of our mission.

However, the road ahead is uncertain. Government and pharmaceutical funding—key sources for many of our initiatives—face potential cuts, leaving grassroots organizations like ours at risk. Your support is vital to ensure we can continue to fill these critical gaps.

Why Your Support Matters

When you give to the School of Opulence, you’re not just funding a program; you’re investing in a movement of resilience, empowerment, and community care. Your contributions will help us:

Sustain and expand our gender-affirming mental health programming to meet growing demand.
Enhance our harm reduction initiatives, connecting individuals to life-changing resources.
Build on partnerships that bring our mission to life in vibrant, community-centered spaces.

Every dollar, every shared post, and every volunteer hour makes a difference. Together, we can ensure that no one in our community has to navigate their challenges alone.

Join us in creating a future where Queer communities of color can not only survive but thrive. Let’s make the uncertain road ahead a little brighter—for everyone.

Donate today. Fuel Opulence. Empower Lives.

Fueling Opulence: Empowering Lives, Building Community

By School of Opulence

Fueling Opulence: Empowering Lives, Building Community

Giving Tuesday 2024

Team Members