Hey Kansas City!
You’ll be able to learn more about our services and team of advisors on this site, access resources, and learn what types of programming and services we have in store for the future! .
Our in-person programming and Instagram Live conversations have been paused during this time of organizational self-reflection and planning.
Transformations was created as a small, grassroots youth group in 2016, after a wave of brutal homicides of trans women of color and nonbinary people of color. Community organizers quickly gathered to address the residual trauma and help provide memorial services, bereavement work, outreach, and advocacy to these communities disproportionately targeted by violence. We learned that trans communities of color, as well as trans youth in survival, were fearful and losing hope about what their everyday experiences may be in Kansas City, just leaving their homes, walking in their neighborhoods, or navigating relationships with others.
Transgender young women of color, as well as trans youth in survival, have always been at the center of our organization. We will continue to center these young folks and their strength, resilience, and self-determination as our organization addresses the larger intersectional impacts of transphobia, racism, adultism, and oppression in our communities and this country.
We are strategically working on our next steps as we move forward and embrace this new world we all will live in. We look forward to sharing with you what is next!
What is Transformations?
Transformations is a transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) and gender expansive youth social and support drop-in group in the Kansas City area for young people (12-18 years old) who self-identify as TGNC or are questioning their gender identity.
Transformations formed in 2016, after the success of that summer’s KC TGNC Summit: Building a Leadership Fountain for TGNC people of color and TGNC youth, organized by SocialScope Productions.
Our group is intentionally led by TGNC adult advisors and allows for unique peer-support and informal mentorship models to both combat the harmful effects of stereotypes, bullying and violence, and empower TGNC youth to not only survive, but to thrive. We are proud to be able to provide all adult advisors and TGNC guest facilitators financial stipends for their time, energy and wisdom.
A separate parent and guardian support group meets for adults who are caring for TGNC youth, within the same drop-in space and time that our confidential youth group meets. This is an informal group that brings together affirming adults and those who are seeking more support from their adult peers. This adult group organically formed as many of the youth's guardians were driving 30-45 minutes one way to bring their young folx to our space and needing a place to congregate and form their own community of support while their youth meet.
Services
DUE TO COVID_19, Transformations KC current meets virtually with some outdoor socially-distanced offerings! Check out our program calendar for details. Transformations meets twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 6-8pm. We meet at the Center for Spiritual Living, 1014 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO 64111. You do not need to register for Transformations. Just drop in!
Serving the trans, gender non-binary, and gender expansive youth of Kansas City is our passion. We partner with reStart and Synergy's Street Outreach Services and their advocates help provide transportation and chaperone TGNC youth who are in shelters, transitional living programs, and/or facing homelessness and housing displacement.
On a broad level, Transformations works from 5 core frameworks rooted from anti-oppression, trauma informed care, harm reduction, positive youth development and transformative justice. We often discuss and incorporate these concepts and ideas into our programming with the youth. We create quarterly program calendars with workshops that are TGNC youth informed and catered to their interests and publish these on our Facebook and Instagram.
A separate parent and guardian support group meets for adults who are caring for TGNC youth, within the same drop-in space and time that our confidential youth group meets.
The Guardian group is informal and brings together affirming adults and those seeking more support from their adult peers. This adult group organically formed as many of the youth's guardians were driving 30-45 minutes one way to bring their young folx to our space and needing a place to congregate and form their own community of support while their youth meet. Please reach out to us directly to learn more about this guardian group and the location of these meetings.
Location
Transformations has a new meeting location!
Transformations meets twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 6-8pm at the Center for Spiritual Living, 1014 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO 64111.
Workshops
We take pride in creating engaging curriculum, providing nutritious meals, and hosting intentional workshops for our youth! At each group, we have created a common culture of language, respect, and boundaries. We facilitate the beginning of group with our “ROPES” ground rules and close each group with a check-out using our “TRAFFIC LIGHT” activity.
Core Concepts
How We Approach Our Work, Treat Others and Do What We Do!
Transformations operates from these 5 core frameworks. Check out our fun handout about these frameworks/approaches to care below.
