The leadership, management, and delivery of this news from Trevor Project and Insight Global need to be held responsible for the mishandling and for silencing those trying to speak out against what is happening at 988 and The Trevor Project. We know that 988 contracts with Vibrant Emotional Health have catalyzed the lateral movement of federal grants and funding away from The Trevor Project. The following event describes layoffs happening at the Trevor Project as of June 14, 2023.

On the morning of June 14, The Trevor Project sent a meeting invite for 1:30 pm EST (2 hours before the meeting start time). The meeting was titled "988 Updates." In this brief meeting, staff at Trevor Project and staff contracted through Insight Global working for Trevor Project were informed that almost half of this 988 staff would be laid off and the last day for those folks would be July 2, 2023.Coordinators of the meeting from both Trevor Project and Insight Global turned off the chat feature and opened the Q&A, but have yet to still answer the questions asked by the staff. Leaders were stiff, emotionless, and cold while reading off of a script as if they were not destroying lives by what they were saying. 988 counselors and staff were also told not to stop taking crisis chats while this was happening, leading to our own self-crises while trying to support contacts. This was a highly unprofessional and inconsiderate meeting with life-changing news.

As a leading LGBTQ+ organization made up of mostly LGBTQ+ people, BIPOC, and people with historically marginalized identities, during Pride Month and a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under attack like never before, this news has been devastating personally, communally, and morally. There is no severance being offered, secure support in finding other sufficient employment, or emotional support for staff. Those affected were given a 2-week notice. Many of the employees are sole providers for their families. As this is a primarily LGBTQ+ organization, many of these folks face discrimination in their careers and have struggled to find jobs outside of LGBTQ+ affirming organizations.

We believe that Steve McKenzie, Stephon Menon, and Peggy Rajsky should all resign without severance, effective immediately.

We demand answers and solutions.
In solidarity,
The 988 Trevor Project Team United