Hi Friends!

My name is Cindy (@sylenegems), I am a polymer clay artist in Chesapeake, Va.

Over the years I have used my art to bring awareness to issues within the 757 community & across other states as well. I have raised funds for, and donated funds to, local non-profit organizations helping unhoused people, organizations who help LGBTQ+ people, immigrants fighting for their rights, organizations who fight to maintain safe & accessible reproductive rights, individuals in the community who just needed some extra help, and so much more. I do not share this for a celebration or recognition. In fact, if you have followed me for any amount of time, you know that I don’t love that kind of attention. At the end of the day, I just want our neighbors, friends & community safe, happy, healthy, alive, and not having to worry about how they’ll afford to do any of those things.

That brings us to this GoFundMe.

I will be working together, along with other artists around the country and businesses in the 757 to help raise money for a member of our community. This community member is embarking on the next steps, with guidance and support from their medical team, to becoming their true self. Our goal is to raise the money needed to help the recipient raise funds in order to receive gender affirming care as quickly as possible. Please feel free to share this campaign anywhere you can. As is often the case when raising funds for mutual aid, I am doing this while maintaining the recipient’s anonymity, on their behalf for their safety. This ensures they’re physically, mentally & emotionally safe, which is my top priority.

Where will the funds go?

Money collected will go directly to the recipient. That way they will be able to take those funds to book travel, book safe lodging, pay for appointments, pre-op testing, anything additional needed for pre-op & post-op, and so much more.

The things that insurance covers now, may not be the things insurance covers by the time a surgery date rolls in. Money raised will go towards any and all bills the patient may face before, during & after the procedure.

Aside from this GoFundMe being up & running, I have other things planned to help offset costs as well. My goal is to ensure that this person does not need to worry about anything financially during this time.

So, what kinds of things are in the works? I am SO glad you asked!

-Donations will be made from every sale on my website.

-I plan to be at the Stonewall Sports Nationals in Virginia Beach at the end of October where I will be there with a QR code & even some specific items to help raise money.

-There are a few incredible small businesses I have things in the works with who have things planned to help raise money, and as those things become concrete you can find updates here, as well as on my social media. My Instagram handle is shared up at the top of this post.

Current list of partnerships for fundraising are:

-The best local pizza and bottle shop in the universe, located in Newport News, Va: Bird Girl Bottle Shop. I’ll be hosting an art show to raise money. Details will be posted here for that, as well on my social media where there will also be an artist call. If you are an artist ANYWHERE, not just in Virginia, and you want to donate art to help raise funds, please send an e-mail to sylenesgems at gmail dot com with “Art Show” in the subject line. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE LOCAL!

-Rachel Hall, co-owner of Jovi Salon in Virginia Beach & owner of Cutie Heads Hair Extensions, & Wynter DePriest, co-owner of Jovi Salon in Virginia Beach are creating some really exciting & unique ways to raise funds for this cause too!

*Again, as I get more concrete details, I will update here & on social media. If you are a local small business or artist & you wish to join in raising funds, please send an e-mail to: sylenesgems at gmail dot

com with “Fundraising” in the subject line.

If you have questions, please feel free to message me. I will get back to you as soon as possible. E-mail is best as sometimes social media isn’t reliable.

I thank you all so much for your time & help with this matter that is so incredibly important! All I want for everyone is for them to feel whole, loved & at peace with who they are, and to not have to deplete themselves to get to that point.

As time goes by I will be posting updates here, as well as on social media, about events, various in person fundraisers, auctions and more. I am open to donations outside of this platform. Please reach out if that’s something you are interested in.

With love-

Cindy

Cindy’s website: www.sylenegems.com

Visiting my website allows you to make a purchase, and funds from those purchases will be given to the recipient.