Help Venus Build a Healing Arts Oasis in Baltimore

My name is Venus, and I am a Black trans woman, multidisciplinary artist, Reiki practitioner, and steward of both land and house in Baltimore, Maryland. I am launching this GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to support myself independently and to help with the physical infrastructure and operations of my home and business, The Sister Free Sanctuary.

Three years ago, my psychological and physical health took a drastic turn due to several challenges, including a battle with long COVID. As of April of this year, I completed physical therapy and have made significant progress with my overall health. I now have the regulated nervous system of my dreams and greater autonomy over my care.

With this newfound strength, I am ready to create the life I envision. My various challenges have caused many pauses in my arts career, the maintenance of my house, and the surrounding land. I am determined to move forward in this next chapter of my journey. After nearly seven years of residence and focusing on my health and spirit, I am excited to curate The Sister Free Sanctuary—an oasis for creative and healing arts for Black people in Baltimore. It has taken me three years to take this first significant step in birthing my vision and serving my community.

My financial goal is $28,000, plus an additional $812 to cover transaction fees, bringing the total to $28,812. My starting goal is displayed as $4,000 and GoFundMe will gradually adjust the goal as momentum and traffic is driven to this campaign. I am committed to meeting or surpassing this goal by the Fall Equinox on September 22, 2025. In light of ongoing fascism, imperialism, and white supremacy in this country, I believe it is time to begin forming The Sister Free Sanctuary. This is the perfect moment to claim my place during these unprecedented, revolutionary, and grieving times.

The funds will be distributed evenly among several areas: personal expenses (care, livelihood, gender transition costs, and my cat's healthcare), catching up on bills, the house (which is the physical Sanctuary itself, including necessary repairs, maintenance, and reorganization), the land (cultivation and cleanup of debris, junk, and dead plants and trees), as well as instruments and supplies needed for creative and healing offerings. I have made business investments to establish order and flow within the Sanctuary. For the sake of transparency and accountability, I will provide regular updates on the progress of this campaign and how the funds are being utilized.

I encourage you to circulate this campaign widely and share it with others. If you are able, please consider contributing, whether it’s a one-time donation or as a monthly supporter until the goal is met. This dream is immense, requiring focus, flow, and determination. I trust that I have everything necessary to achieve success and abundance in this endeavor. Thank you for your support of myself and The Sister Free Sanctuary!