Annual reports Annual Report 2025
Events of 2025
This section covers QARAVAN’s events in 2025 season by season: 93 distinct events across the year, from ice skating in January to the holiday party in December.
- JanWatercolor workshop
- FebRésumé workshop
- MarFemale Queer Perspectives
- AprImmigration question-and-answer session
- MayBrighton Beach Pride
- JunNew York City Pride march
- JulBeach volleyball
- AugCentral Park picnic
- SepEducation in the USA
- OctJob Ready workshop
- NovGroup hike
- DecHoliday drag party
Winter
The year opened with ice skating at Wollman Rink and closed January with an emergency know-your-rights briefing, organized with SAFE Asylum within days of the new federal orders.
February brought a résumé workshop, stress-resilience training with psychiatrist Konstantin Boykov, and weekly Drag Race watch parties at Coney Island USA and the Workshop of Inspiration.
Spring
March was our busiest month, with 19 gatherings, including the Female Queer Perspectives exhibition for Women’s Month. April activities included an immigration question-and-answer session and a picnic at Sheep’s Meadow.
In May, sign-making sessions preceded the ninth Brighton Beach Pride on the Riegelmann Boardwalk, where roughly 500 people marched.
Summer
On June 29, we marched at New York City Pride (NYC Pride) for trans immigrants’ rights. We shared resources at GayRidge Pride and played beach volleyball.
About 60 people gathered for a Central Park picnic on August 23. Ainur Tleubay led a sunrise hike.
Fall
Education in the USA brought 40 participants to Pier 57 on September 22. The October 10 Job Ready session for trans people had 11 participants.
October Help Desk sessions offered private consultations on available services. We met attorney Galina Devita on October 11.
On October 10, 18 people joined tea and board games. Other activities included hikes in August and October, Lilu Goncharova’s Awita exhibition, and letter-writing with RusReFund to Ukrainians held in Russian captivity.
A Medical in the U.S. Q&A took place at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST) on November 19 at 6:00 PM.
Winter coat drive, November 1
Together with our friends and volunteers at The First Presbyterian Church, we distributed 46 new winter coats on November 1. People tried them on, traded sizes, and stayed for coffee and pie.
Thanksgiving at CBST
Around 60 people joined our Thanksgiving dinner at CBST in November, with live music by one of our members. For many, it was their first Thanksgiving in the United States. We thank CBST for hosting the dinner.
December
On December 12, we held our Annual Holiday Party, the Holiday and New Year Celebration, at HUSH in Manhattan. Svetlana Stoli and Olga Between Worlds hosted, Keeana Kee and Maxxxim were featured, and early-bird tickets cost $5.
The invitation featured drag, contests, and music, with free entry for newcomers, asylum seekers, and people facing financial hardship.