TAKE Resource Center

After much consideration about the best time for a balloon release, I found myself asking, "What would Peaches do?" Lol. The answer was simple ; she would want us to celebrate, love on one another, and enjoy community together. So, we will continue with our Juneteenth Lawn Party on June 20th Saturday . At 2:30 PM, we will pause to commemorate Peaches with a few tender words and a special balloon release in her honor. We ask everyone to bring a white or gold balloon as we send her spirit off with love.
Immediately following the balloon release, we will continue our Slip & Slide Community Lawn Party. There will be food, a DJ, games, fellowship, and much more as we celebrate freedom, community, and the joy that Peaches brought into so many lives.We look forward to gathering with you all as we honor her memory and continue creating the kind of love and community she would have wanted.

📍 7128 Oporto Madrid Blvd South
Birmingham, AL
🕝 2:30 PM

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The TAKE-Away, June 2026 Issue: Remembering Peaches Pride is more than a celebration, remembering a beloved community member we lost, and more, inside the issue:

We at TAKE Resource Center are truly saddened by the loss of Kalena "Peaches" Croskey.Peaches was more than a community member, she was family. She brought light, laughter, and joy into every space she entered. Despite the many challenges she faced throughout her life, she never allowed those struggles to define her. Whether she was singing her favorite Beyoncé songs, voguing to the beat, creating glamorous makeup looks, or simply making others smile, Peaches found ways to experience joy and share it with those around her. As a person who survived years of being unhoused, Peaches demonstrated resilience, creativity,
and strength. She reminded us all of the importance of holding on to hope, even in the most difficult circumstances.This loss is not accidental. It is a tragic reminder of the failures within criminal justice system are meant to provide care, support, and rehabilitation. The lack of adequate mental health resources, combined with negligence and systemic shortcomings, continues to cost lives. Far too many people are dying at the hands of systems that cause harm rather than healing.Incarceration should never lead to dehumanization. Peaches was a human being. She deserved dignity, respect, compassion, and access to the care she needed. As we mourn her loss, we also honor her life. Let Peaches' legacy be a call to action. We must continue advocating for meaningful changes within the criminal justice system and for better responses to individuals living with severe mental illness. No one should be forgotten, neglected, or stripped of their humanity.Rest peacefully, Peaches. Your life mattered, your presence was felt, and your memory will forever remain with us.

Just sad 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

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Marlow Trottie, Trans Woman and “Sweetest Person,” Killed in Louisiana
https://www.them.us/story/marlow-trottie-trans-woman-and-sweetest-person-killed-in-louisiana?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dhfacebook&utm_content=app.dashsocial.com%2Fthem%2Flibrary%2Fmedia%2F683914690

Civic engagement starts with meeting the people where they're at-hitting the streets and festivals, and connecting. Love to see our TAKE staff and volunteer leaders making an impact out at Philly Pride!

The updated bathrooms are coming along beautifully! We still have a few more renovations to complete, but we are excited to see this vision becoming a reality.
Soon, we'll be able to offer more beds and provide a facility that is led by and designed for trans folks. This space represents safety, dignity, and affirmation; without relying on harmful systems that force trans people to detransition or place them in housing based solely on their s*x assigned at birth.We're building something that our community deserves, and we can't wait to welcome people into a space where they can truly be themselves.

Thank you to Black Butterfly Collective, under the leadership of Myah Turner, for providing care packages for the community members we serve each day. Your generosity, compassion, and commitment to supporting our community make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we assist. We are grateful for your partnership and continued dedication to ensuring our community members feel seen, supported, and valued.

🎨 Art Therapy Tuesday 🎨

Art Therapy Tuesday is all about relaxation, self-expression, and bringing your feelings to life through creativity. This is a space where community members can express themselves visually while engaging in meaningful conversations that help them process emotions, reduce stress, and work through life's challenges.Each week at TAKE Resource Center, community members have the opportunity to transform their thoughts, feelings, and experiences into beautiful works of art while connecting with others in a supportive environment. For many of our community members, this has become a favorite day of the week; a chance to bring the beauty that's inside out into the world.Come recharge, create, connect, and heal with us through the power of art. 🖌️✨💜

Your dollars are being put to good use.Even in the midst of a challenging political climate, where the housing crisis continues to grow and barriers to permanent supportive housing are increasing, we remain committed to creating safe, affirming, and sustainable spaces for our community. We are excited to share that we are getting closer to completing the final renovations and receiving clearance for our move-in date at Gloria Safe Haven. This milestone would not be possible without the support of people like you.Now is the time to join forces with us. Your donation helps us fight housing insecurity and provide trans individuals with more than just a place to stay, it helps create a safe, beautiful, and supportive environment where people can truly live, grow, and thrive with stability and dignity.Together, we can make housing a reality, not a privilege. As we look ahead, we are working to launch Phase 2 of the You Deserve a Roof Program, our permanent supportive housing initiative. This next phase will prioritize residents of Gloria Safe Haven and qualified community members seeking long-term housing stability. Our permanent supportive housing community will be known as G & G Place, featuring individual one-bedroom apartment units designed to provide safety, independence, and dignity.

We are raising $475,000 to purchase an apartment complex that will make this vision a reality.

We invite you to donate in honor of two individuals whose dedication helped build T.A.K.E. during its earliest stages: founding board member Genie Taylor and her husband, George Taylor. Their unwavering support, commitment, and belief in our mission have helped lay the foundation for the work we continue today. Please consider making a gift and sharing this campaign with your networks. Every dollar brings us one step closer to opening doors and changing lives. Housing is more than shelter; it is the foundation for hope, healing, and opportunity.

DONATE TODAY:

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Pride is not just a moment of celebration, it is a declaration of our existence. It is a testament to our resilience, our strength, and our determination to push back against systems of oppression that continue to cause harm to our communities. Pride is about showing up, standing together, and empowering one another. It is about honoring those who came before us, uplifting those who stand beside us, and creating a brighter future for those who will come after us.
Join us as we come together in community, celebration, education, and empowerment. We invite you to participate in both of these FREE events as we celebrate the beauty, diversity, and power of our community. Together, we are stronger. Together, we are visible. Together, we rise.