Why should I become a SQSH Star?

Our monthly donors provide a consistent income that requires less capacity to maintain than traditional fundraising events or seasonal campaigns. This means that more of your money can go directly towards supporting the St. Louis LGBTQIA+ community in a long-term, sustainable way! Our SQSH stars program focuses on uplifting our community from the bottom up, with a focus on spotlighting our grassroots donors who are often giving the most despite having the least.

Where do my donations go?

Every small donation adds up to make a big difference!

$10 – One week of community outreach materials
$15 – One queer community anthology book
$25 – One month of Peer Support Line phone bills
$50 – One Peer Support Line Shift stipend
$80 – One STARLING individual healing session
$100 – One community-building event
$150 – One STARLING group healing space
$200 – One monthly stipend for a queer Systems Change Fellow
$300 – One allyship education course
$400 – One semester of programming for one Queer Youth Peer Leader

What does SQSH do?

To achieve our mission, SQSH has planned and implemented 6 key programs since our founding in March 2019:

1. Peer Support Helpline Service

Queer St. Louisans disproportionately face negative mental health outcomes, including high risks for depression, anxiety disorders, and suicidal thoughts/attempts. Our Helpline provides free, confidential, identity-affirming emotional support and resource referrals, filling a unique niche as the only LGBTQIA-specific tele-service staffed by peer counselors in the St. Louis region.

2. SQSHBook Resource Database

We boost the St. Louis LGBTQIA+ community’s access to resources using a comprehensive, one-of-its-kind resource guide called the SQSHBook, which catalogs 1,200+ St. Louis resources, consolidates vetting information from queer-led organizations, collects “word on the street” feedback from queer St. Louisans who’ve had personal experiences with particular resources, and connects users to identity-affirming services.

3. Call Data Analysis & Advocacy

LGBTQIA+ populations are underrepresented and undervalued in research. We use long-term, aggregated call data to systematically identify the St. Louis LGBTQIA+ community’s needs, analyze trends in call topics, and advocate for queer-centered changes in culture, policy, and services among policymakers and service providers.

4. Training for Partner Organizations

Queer St. Louisans lack access to identity-affirming care and are often forced to put in the emotional labor to educate their own providers, especially if they hold multiple marginalized identities. SQSH works with community partners to increase queer St. Louisans’ access to identity-affirming health supports by providing crucial training in queer-affirming interaction skills to improve the quality of client care among local service providers.

5. Education for Queer Community Members

To help promote skill-building and professional development among queer St. Louisans, SQSH teaches monthly community courses with the goal of strengthening mental health skills, knowledge, and practice within the St. Louis LGBTQIA+ community. In 2021, SQSH taught a 10-module peer counseling series and a course on queer-centered sexual and relationship health to over 60 community members, who rated these courses highly. In addition, before SQSH Helpline Volunteers take calls, we provide them with 48+ hours of rigorous training and evaluations where they gain peer counseling skills, an understanding of queer issues, knowledge of local resources, and confidence in advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights.

6. Volunteer Engagement Program

Through our volunteer engagement program, we engage a broad range of queer St. Louisans in impactful systems-change work, strengthen grassroots networks, and foster meaningful connections among queer St. Louisans. Unlike traditional nonprofits where staff relegate the most menial tasks to volunteers, our anti-hierarchical organization empowers queer volunteers to engage in substantial program planning and service delivery, strengthening the web of peer support among our internal community.

Become a SQSH Star (Monthly Donor)

Our monthly donors are a vital part of SQSH, just like stars are a vital part of our galaxy! As a SQSH Star, you are not only supporting SQSH’s life-saving services, but joining a powerful movement of people committed to queer liberation.

Team Members