A Chicago Escort's Best-Loved Non-Profits

Legendary Chicago journalist Mike Royko once said, "One of the hallmarks of Chicago is that we do so many things in an original manner."

He's right about that across the board, but especially when it comes to charitable work and community support.

I believe that wherever you are in the world or in life, it's possible to make a positive difference. These days, I’m relying on my communities more than ever and have been reminded that we receive out of this life what we give. I often find myself reflecting on how grateful I am to have so many generous and caring people in my life and work. (Looking at you, hot stuff.)

A donation to any of these is extremely sexy. Grazie in anticipo for leading with kindness and generosity, both of which will be returned in spades to philanthropic partners.

1. Pilsen Food Pantry

What doesn't the Pilsen Food Pantry do not just for the neighborhood, but across Chicago? PFP distributes fresh food, clothing, and housewares and provides community events.

2. My Block My Hood My City

One of my absolute favorite groups to work with, MBMHMC does everything: Day-to-day operations and support for the community, including organizing snow shoveling and lawn care for elderly neighbors unable to do so. Youth programs to get kids engaged in the broader city, and a popular youth-led walking tour through historic North Lawndale. And the founder is currently on a six-year project to live for a month in each of Chicago’s 77 officially recognized neighborhoods. I take so much inspiration from this organization.

3. Brave Space Alliance

BSA has a robust center on the South Side that provides services, programs, and safe space for LGBQ+ and trans people to be centered and served. Programs include health screenings, support groups and mental health services, a food pantry, and housing help.

4. The Night Ministry

This org provides human connection, housing support, and healthcare to community members who are unhoused or experiencing poverty. They provide early intervention programs for folks on the edge of becoming unhoused. They also provide special programs for young adults to transition to permanent housing, while still helping them to enjoy being young and have a positive adolescent experience. Their Health Outreach Bus provides survival supplies, food, hygiene kits, clothing, and more.

5. One Tail at a Time

This beloved no-kill rescue org has so many branches of support for animals in need, at risk of being euthanized, or in unsafe environments. OTAT provides adoption and fostering, community support to help keep pets in homes and out of shelters, low-cost medical services including spay/neuter.

6. Urban Rivers

Did you know that there's a ramp for kayaking just off the REI at Goose Island? This floating oasis came to be thanks to the efforts of Urban Rivers! In addition to ecological work, they partner with the City of Chicago and various planning groups to create and maintain space on the river—dubbed Wild Mile—for all of us to enjoy for years to come.

7. Chicago Reader

While not a charity organization in the same vein as the above, the Reader is Chicago's alternative nonprofit newspaper. I have never been without a copy of the Reader in my bag since moving to the city. It's been my North Star for local news and culture, and many members of my community have been featured in articles over the years.

Since 2018, the Reader has been at risk of closing due to financial pressures, which would puncture a massive hole in our talented city’s arts coverage. This slinky kitty is happy to help keep the doors open and a free press free.

8.Chicago Hospitality Accountability & Advocacy Database (CHAAD) Project

Having worked in hospitality, I've seen firsthand that all that glitters is not gold. Many restaurants emphasize cultures of caring for their patrons while failing to care for their own. CHAAD provides education, advocacy, legal support, and other resources for hospitality workers. They manage labor abuse cases including sexual harassment, wage theft, and retaliation. Their Know Your Rights trainings are focused on uplifting and informing often-overlooked "invisible laborers" so that they don't slip through the cracks. CHAAD also holds workshops for restaurant owners and management wanting to ensure they're doing right by their people. I also love and support the work of national sister organization GLOW (Grassroots Law & Organizing for Workers).

9. Working Girls Press

Huge fan of WGP! This team publishes and promotes anthologies, community resources, poetry, and art books by and for sex workers. We are truly some of the most creative people! And WGP has created a collective where sex worker creatives are paid for their work as they express themselves across a variety of prompts and topics. As of writing, they have two anthologies with a third on the way. I hope to have something of import to contribute to their project, but in the meantime I hungrily read the creations of my amazingly talented peers and can't get enough.

10. Tryst TLC Donation Matching

You probably found me through Tryst! Despite some notable issues, Tryst is the most effective advertising platform currently available for sex workers. And with their TLC Donation matching program, you can double your donation impact.

Make a donation to any of the organizations on their program page, and then submit a donation matching request to Tryst and request that the matching TLC funds be credited to the provider of your choice.

You just copy and paste evidence of your donation along with the URL of the provider's Tryst page that you'd like to credit. You can do this throughout the year for a calendar year maximum of TLC 500. Those are funds that both directly benefit your provider as well as organizations that help make the world safer and more equitable for all of us.