A Movement for a Permanent Home of Belonging, Service, and Impact.

$0.00 of $3,000,000 USD Raised

The Caribbean Equality Project (CEP) is launching a $3 million Capital Funding Campaign to secure a permanent, community-owned facility in Richmond Hill, Queens, anchoring their decade-long commitment to Afro and Indo-Caribbean LGBTQ+ immigrants across New York City. 

Founded in response to anti-LGBTQ+ hate violence, CEP has become a vital force in delivering trauma-informed healing, legal and asylum support, food justice, trans justice, civic leadership training, and cultural preservation. Despite operating without a permanent space, CEP has served tens of thousands of New Yorkers through donated venues and mobile programs, distributing over 135,000 meals, hosting legal clinics, and mobilizing thousands of voters. Now, the organization aims to double its impact, foster long-term stability, and establish a supportive, intergenerational hub that acknowledges the distinct needs of Caribbean LGBTQ+ communities. 

The proposed center will be the first of its kind in NYC: A safe, inclusive space co-designed by and for Caribbean LGBTQ+ immigrants.

The 2026-2029 campaign comprises three phases:

  • Property acquisition and site preparation—$1.8 million

  • Build-out and renovation—$1.2 million

  • Activation and staffing—$ 400,000 - non-capital

The new facility will house a mental health and legal services suite, a food pantry and community closet, healing and civic engagement rooms, and a youth and senior lounge. CEP's strategic funding model includes diverse public investments, philanthropic partners, and grassroots support. 

A $250,000 member allocation will catalyze this vision, ensuring LGBTQ+ immigrants no longer have to choose between survival and dignity, but can access both under one permanent roof of belonging, service, and power. 

Capital Funding Campaign Timeline

Phase One

Acquisition & Site Preparation 

$1,800,000 Goal ✶ 2026—2027

• Secure a centrally located facility in Richmond Hill, Queens, near transit and culturally relevant anchors 

• Conduct environmental reviews, engineering surveys, and initial assessments 

• Purchase or sign a long-term lease agreement (10+ years recommended) 

• Community input sessions on design and spatial priorities

Phase Two

Build-Out, Renovation, Design

$1,200,000 Goal ✶ 2027—2028

• Build out essential program spaces ADA-compliant accessibility upgrades 

• Tech and security systems installation 

• Murals, art walls, and cultural storytelling elements

Phase Three

Launch, Staffing, Activation

$400,000 Goal ✶ 2028—2029

• Staff hiring and capacity-building for the new space 

• Grand Opening and community ribbon-cutting events 

• Launch of healing justice, trans justice, and civic education programs 

• Storytelling campaign, open house tours, and impact reporting

Why A Permanent Home? And Why Now?

CEP has outgrown shared, temporary spaces.

We currently operate from donated venues and borrowed rooms that limit consistency, privacy, and scale.

Southeast Queens remains underserved

for LGBTQ+ mental health, asylum, and legal support, despite its growing Caribbean immigrant population. 

Safeguards, rising rent costs, and displacement

anchoring CEP's presence for generations to come.

A permanent home doubles service capacity,

offering trauma-informed healing, cultural programming, and wraparound care to 10,000+ annually.

Creates jobs, stability, and civic power

with co-located mental health services, a community pantry, legal clinic, youth lounge, and civic hub.

The facility will be the first of its kind in New York City.

A safe, affirming space led by and for Afro and Indo-Caribbean LGBTQ+ immigrants.

New Yorkers asked for this! 

Our advisory boards, youth, trans elders, and asylum seekers all envisioned this center as a place of belonging, safety, solidarity, and joy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is CEP Choosing to Own Rather Than Rent?

  • Building equity and appreciating assets ($682K+ projected gain in 5 years) 

  • Eligibility for larger grants requiring physical presence 

  • Eliminates long-term rental cost escalations (saving $87.5K over 5 years) 

  • Establishes a permanent, visible home for the community 

How Many People Will the New Center Serve? 

  • With a permanent center: We anticipate doubling our annual impact, serving 2,500+ individuals within the first two years. 

  • The new space will allow CEP to efficiently manage inventory, logistics, and event planning, enabling more consistent and higher-quality service delivery. 

  • It will also eliminate external venue rental costs, redirecting more funding directly into programs and expanding service access for Afro and Indo- Caribbean LGBTQ+ individuals. 

What Services Will be Offered at the New Center? 

  • Mental Health Services: Therapy, trauma support, health screenings Legal Clinics: Immigration, asylum, housing rights, name/gender marker changes 

  • Basic Needs Support: Caribbean food pantry, gender-affirming clothing closet 

  • Civic Engagement: Voter registration, census work, civic education

  • Cultural Programming: Storytelling, exhibitions, performances 

  • Youth & Asylum Support: Emergency housing referrals, peer mentorship, job training 

Where Will the Center be Located? 

  • Richmond Hill, Queens - at the heart of NYC's second largest Caribbean community, Accessible via the J train and multiple bus lines (Q8, Q10, Q112) 

How Will CEP Sustain the Center Long-Term? 

  • Multi-year government and private grants 

  • Annual fundraising events and grassroots campaigns 

  • Dedicated operating reserve fund 

  • Strategic partnerships with CBOs, city agencies, and philanthropic institutions Shared, non-rental space use with grassroots partners