The Trevor Project, launched in 1998 with the aim of tackling suicide rates within the LGBTQ+ youth community, has found its 25th year marked by ongoing problems and crises.
The West Hollywood-based organization has been plagued by financial troubles, including a drained reserve fund, as well as serious allegations involving discrimination against racial and trans individuals. Moreover, its core service—Trevor’s suicide prevention hotline—has faced increased delays in recent times.
The troubles escalated last fall when the former CEO, Amit Paley, was forced out by the board following a letter from more than 200 employees expressing concern over the rapid growth of the organization. Peggy Rajski, a co-founder, stepped in as interim CEO.
Recent challenges include significant layoffs, accusations of undermining union efforts, and a problematic collaboration with the Biden administration, all casting doubt on the organization’s future.
Earlier this year, in April, the employees of Trevor chose to join the Communications Workers of America (CWA) to address concerning work conditions such as excessive stress among counselors and perceived discriminatory behavior from management. This move was supported by over 300 staff members.
However, by June, the management had embarked on a significant reduction of staff, amounting to 12% of full-time roles. Entire departments, such as recruitment and training for the crisis hotline, were let go, as revealed by insiders.
Among the layoffs, over a third were members of Trevor’s newly formed union guild, Friends of Trevor United. This led to the CWA expressing its concern and alleging that the organization had unfairly targeted vocal union supporters, including trans and BIPOC individuals.
The union has also accused management of intimidating tactics, such as prohibiting discussions about work conditions and forcing private meetings that often resulted in disciplinary actions.
These actions were further complicated by another error in management that resulted in more layoffs and longer waiting times for crisis counseling.
In 2020, a new mental health hotline—988—was created, with a specialized option for LGBTQ+ individuals. The Trevor Project was selected for a pilot program, but a gross miscalculation in the expected call volume left the organization short-staffed, leading to criticism.
The high demand led to the expansion of the LGBTQ+ support network, reducing Trevor’s role and funding, which in turn caused another wave of layoffs, according to LGBTQ Nation.
A statement from the Trevor Project denied the union’s claims of recent turmoil, arguing that the allegations of union suppression were unfounded and that the necessary staff reductions were essential for the survival of the organization, irrespective of the recent unionization.
I served on the Trevor board of directors starting in 2002 and as board chair from 2003-2005. The organization had a working board and a lean staff with a laser focus on Saving Young Lives. Somewhere along the way, it hired a former McKinsey consultant with an Ivy League MBA as executive director. Uh-oh, I thought. The corporatization of a scrappy and effective non-profit began. The staff grew exponentially, but what was their focus? I perused the website and counted staff. First I was shocked to see 150 staff members, including two special assistants to the CEO, and a chief… Read more »
I’m always surprised how many people think if it’s a gay organization, or a majority gay city council like Weho, people automatically think it must be on the up and up. The truth is gays are no different than anyone else. We have corruption in charities and corruption in government. As a supporter of TTP, I agree that I hope they can “right this ship”. It would be awful if someone in need called them and couldn’t get someone to talk to.
With kids caught in the cross fire of the culture wars, the Trevor Project is needed more than ever.
I too went to their site to determine the leadership structure. It was overwhelming. As CEO and other what specific expertise did Abbe Land add during her tenure?
Abbe Land’s main job was to snake charm the unpaid working grunts like me who provided the bulk of their services for free.
Oh- and to receive donor $$ in exchange for political favors
You are not far off.
Thanks. Abbe Land also was some type of executive for the Saban Free Clinic which was allegedly founded by a person of dubious resume. It spawned the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers that launched his entire empire and characterized him as a great philanthropist.
Didn’t Abbe Land work for a year or two at an obscenely inflated salary? I heard she was in over her head!
You never go wrong considering human nature and looking at history. See any worthy grassroots organization that started in a someone’s front room. It grows needing a bigger room, then a bigger one with rent costs, administration, security, PR. Something incredible becomes something else. Even a “corporatization” mindset since that is very orderly and efficient. These are also “living” things that want to survive even if their purpose has been fairly fulfulled. See what was once “gay/lesbian” now being everything on the planet that isn’t solidly straight. “Gay rights” fairly achieved didn’t then say “Excellent. Keep a very solid watch… Read more »