A Movement for a Permanent Home of Belonging, Service, and Impact.
Fundraising Goal of $3,000,000
Caribbean Equality Project (CEP) has launched a $3 million Capital Funding Campaign to build New York City’s first Caribbean LGBTQ+ Center. This permanent, community-owned space will be located in Richmond Hill, Queens, and will serve as a testament to the organization’s decade-long dedication to serving Afro and Indo-Caribbean LGBTQ+ New Yorkers.
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 165,000 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.
Our campaign has already raised $750,000 in state support from our legislative champions, including NYS Assemblymembers Khaleel Anderson, Jessica Gonzales-Rojas, Steven Raga, Catalina Cruz, Grace Lee, and Karines Reyes.
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 space 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.
YOUR SUPPORT will catalyze this vision, ensuring LGBTQ+ immigrants no longer have to choose between survival and dignity, but can access resources under one permanent roof of belonging, service, and power.
Capital Funding Campaign Advocacy Day, Albany, NY, May 2025.
Capital Funding Campaign Advocacy Day, Albany, NY, May 2025.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 A train and multiple bus lines (Q8, Q10, Q112)
How Will CEP Sustain the Center Long-Term?
Multi-year government and private grants and income-generating projects
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