Meet Your Neighbor: Ava Jaross

A friend introduced me to Generation Q when I was a sophomore in high school. It was there I built the community that would one day become the lifeline I needed during my transition to becoming a woman.

Now that I’m a college student with a full plate, the program is a huge relief for me. I’m juggling school, family life, starting a career, and a loving relationship - all while transitioning. I can go to Gen Q when I need to talk or when I just need to unwind in a safe space.

Last year, the program director connected me with the Unity Project, the City’s first-ever, multi-agency strategy to deliver unique services to LGBTQ youth and their families. I modeled for their campaign, and now the posters are all over the city. Every time I see my face whiz by on a city bus, I think of what I went through to get to where I am today.