Annual reports Annual Report 2023
Support programs
This page covers the support programs of RUSA LGBTQ+ (now QARAVAN) in 2023: health services navigation, peer support groups, case management and referrals, information guides, emergency cash assistance and other mutual aid, and legal partners.
From 2022 to 2023, the number of asylum seekers from Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus in the United States increased exponentially. LGBTQ+ people from Russia and other countries of the region seek asylum because people who express an LGBTQ+ identity, transgender people especially, have been oppressed there through ongoing waves of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
After the start of the Russian government’s aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, their persecution greatly intensified. In 2023, the Russian government both banned transgender medical care and designated the entire “international LGBTQ movement [to be] ‘extremist.’” QARAVAN rejects this label: being LGBTQ+ is not extremism.
- 500+health-related cases handled
- 1,000+LGBTQ+ immigrants helped to reach social and other services
- $10,000+collected and distributed as emergency cash assistance and other mutual aid
- 100+asylum cases assisted with, together with legal partners
Health services navigation
In 2023, together with NYU (New York University) Langone Health and our volunteer LGBTQ+ healthcare navigator, who is now our newest board member, we handled over 500 health-related cases. We helped with health insurance enrollment, making medical appointments, obtaining emergency medications and treatments, and finding culturally appropriate health and mental healthcare.
Peer support groups
To counter a lack of bilingual mental health services, we organize and facilitate peer support groups where LGBTQ+ immigrants can connect in their own language. The groups provide a supportive environment for discussing challenges, seeking advice, and receiving emotional support from volunteer facilitators who are immigrants themselves, with backgrounds in case management, psychology, and art therapy.
In 2023, two groups met regularly: a mental health support group and a peer support group for transgender people.
Case management, referrals, and accompaniments
We address health, safety, food, and clothing issues, so that people receive the support and resources they need. Led by coordinators and a team of volunteers, we have advocated for the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals living in shelters and neighborhoods.
We refer community members to trusted social and healthcare services and English classes, with accompaniment and interpretation. In 2023, we assisted over 1,000 LGBTQ+ immigrants in accessing social and other services, such as the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA), the New York City HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA), IDNYC (the New York City ID card), banks, and legal services, through personal accompaniment, interpretation, and personalized referrals.
We moderate an online chat channel with over 1,000 people, where we share resources, exchange advice, and answer questions.
“To a ship that has lost its bearings in turbulent seas, a lighthouse is a vital necessity. For forced migrants in our community and beyond, RUSA LGBTQ in the USA serves as such a beacon.”
Information guides
We have created, and constantly update, an extensive information guide for our community members and volunteers on the immigration process, housing, public benefits, English classes, higher education, and career resources, among other information the community requests. We also collect information and feedback from our partners and the community to improve the guides.
Emergency cash assistance and other mutual aid
We coordinated emergency cash assistance and other mutual aid for LGBTQ+ immigrants who faced hardship. We raised these funds from other immigrants in the community, allies, and supporters, and in 2023 we collected and distributed over $10,000.
We also held clothing and household item drives. In 2023, we partnered with the First Presbyterian Church for a coat distribution event, and with Ruth’s Refuge, which delivers new furniture to people who move from shelters into apartments.
“In a difficult moment, they provided me and my husband with help by providing us with a necessary laptop. I always know that I can turn to them for support.”
Legal help through partners
RUSA LGBTQ+ does not provide legal services and has no lawyers. In 2023, we worked with RIF Asylum Support and SAFE Asylum, partner organizations that provided legal orientation and assistance to LGBTQ+ immigrants.
In 2023, community members took part in weekly group legal consultations held by RIF Asylum Support.
In the fall of 2023, a joint pro se (self-represented) asylum clinic with SAFE Asylum started at the Brooklyn Community Pride Center. At this free (pro bono) clinic, trained volunteers help fill out asylum applications and other immigration forms under the supervision of SAFE Asylum attorneys.
In 2023, we assisted with over 100 asylum cases together with these partners.
One example from the year: a meeting with a lawyer on Thursday, August 10, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Brooklyn Community Pride Center, on the highlights of the asylum process, with questions and answers.