Today we’d like to introduce you to Chrissy Guiriba.
Hi Chrissy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
How Transcending Adolescence Began
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and amidst a surge of anti-trans legislation, the world was a challenging and isolating place for gender-diverse youth. It was also during this time that I founded Transcending Adolescence (TA)—a nonprofit dedicated to creating brave spaces for trans and nonbinary youth to build resilience, confidence, and self-love.
Here’s how it all unfolded:
– A Vision Amid Crisis
– In 2019, I was a volunteer lifeguard at another camp for trans kids. It was there that I decided how I want to empower gender-diverse people to thrive, but by 2020, the global pandemic forced the world into lockdown. Despite the challenges, the shutdown unexpectedly provided me with the time and space to focus on creating a meaningful program.
– Resilience in Development
– Though our initial launch in 2021 was delayed due to the pandemic, this pause turned into an opportunity. I spent countless hours refining our curriculum (SPEAR) focused on support, physical recreation, empowerment, advocacy, and reflection– the core values shaped by my personal experiences growing up as a trans person in an unaccepting world. With SPEAR, TA uses an upstream, trauma-informed approach to improving health outcomes for gender-diverse people.
– A Mission to Combat Injustice
– During this same period, anti-trans legislation reached historic highs, amplifying the need for supportive programs like TA. This fueled my drive to provide a sanctuary for trans youth—a place to find community, strength, and joy amid uncertainty. At our Resilience Retreats, participants will learn how to become advocates for themselves and their community.
By the time we officially launched, Transcending Adolescence was more than a program; it was a lifeline for trans and nonbinary youth facing unprecedented challenges and a long-term solution to health disparities that plague this population. Today, we continue to grow and thrive, showing the power of SPEAR in action.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting and growing Transcending Adolescence (TA) has been as rewarding as it has been challenging. Like many grassroots organizations, we’ve faced hurdles that tested our resilience and determination. Here are some of the key challenges we’ve encountered:
– Facility Cancellation
– In our first year, just five days before our staff was set to arrive for training, our facility canceled our contract. It was a stressful and unexpected setback, but thanks to quick thinking and a supportive network, we found a new home for the week and made our first Resilience Retreat a success.
– Funding Struggles
– Sustaining a nonprofit like TA requires ongoing funding, which remains one of our biggest challenges. We rely on donations and grants to provide camperships for youth, secure facilities, and develop programming—making every dollar critical to our mission.
– Politica Climate
– Operating in a time of increasing anti-trans rhetoric and legislation means navigating outreach carefully. Advocating for our youth while ensuring their safety and dignity is always at the forefront of our work.
-Personal Struggles
– Behind the scenes, I’ve faced a series of life changes that tested my resilience:
In December 2023, I fled an abusive relationship of ten years, a decision that brought both freedom and emotional upheaval.
Leaving my home of 38 years was another enormous adjustment. I am healing and rebuilding my life in a new place—far from the safety and support of the community I had back home.
Finding my confidence, confronting imposter syndrome, and believing I am capable of leading TA through these transitions—a constant battle I overcome with the power of SPEAR.
– Building from Scratch
– As the founder, I’ve had to learn how to build an organization from the ground up without a formal secondary education. It’s been a steep learning curve, but through persistence, adaptability, and the dedicated support of my team, we’ve continued to grow and thrive. As a leader, I continue to leverage the power of my lived experiences and my gift for recognizing transferrable skills to make decisions while unknowingly using existing frameworks I am now learning about as Sophomore at Arizona State University online.
Despite these challenges, we’ve proven that resilience, passion, and community can overcome adversity. Each obstacle has reinforced why our work matters and strengthened our commitment to trans and nonbinary youth.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My Work: I specialize in strategic planning to achieve big-picture goals, including the creation of brave spaces for TGNB youth to grow, heal, and thrive. Through our outdoor summer retreats and year-round programs coming soon, I focus on empowering young people with tools for self-expression, confidence, survival, and community building.
What I’m Known For: My work is deeply personal, drawing from my own experiences growing up as a closeted queer kid in a conservative area. I’m known for my kindness and ability to do whatever I set out to do. Over the past 20 years as a staple in the queer community, people KNOW that when I’m behind the wheel, it’s going to be fierce! My kindness shines through as I truly LOVE to make people feel seen and valued as humans. — something I most definitely got from my mom.
– What I’m Most Proud Of: One of my proudest moments was watching our campers lead the creation of a Pride float for Jacksonville’s River City Pride Parade. Seeing their advocacy, creativity, and confidence in action affirmed the impact of our work.
– What Sets Me Apart: What makes my approach unique is that it’s rooted in lived experience. I’ve taken the challenges I’ve faced—bullying, societal oppression, and self-doubt—and turned them into a foundation for helping others. My passion, combined with over four years of running transformative youth programs, ensures that everything I do is authentic and impactful.
At my core, I believe in the power of SPEAR to change lives, and my mission is to inspire TGNB youth to embrace their full potential, knowing they are capable and loved.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
When asked who else deserves credit for the success of Transcending Adolescence, I want to express my deep gratitude for several key groups and individuals who make our mission possible.
First and foremost, my incredible Board of Directors. Their dedication goes beyond just their expertise—they bring their lived experiences as trans people to the table, enriching the development of our curriculum and ensuring it truly speaks to the needs of the community we serve. They’ve been a constant source of support, showing patience and faith in me, especially during my darkest times. Their belief in our work inspires me every day to keep pushing forward.
I also want to extend heartfelt thanks to our donors. With limited support for grant writing, their generosity is what keeps our organization running and enables us to offer the programs and resources that make a real difference in the lives of trans and nonbinary youth.
Lastly, I must acknowledge my friends, family, and fiancé. Their unwavering love and support—both personally and professionally—have been crucial to my growth and the work we do at Transcending Adolescence. I am beyond grateful for their presence in my life.
Together, these individuals and groups form the backbone of everything we accomplish, and I couldn’t do it without them.
Pricing:
- $1480 to host 1 camper for the week
- TARR 2025 registration fee is $1480
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.taspear.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transcending_adolescence/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TranscendingAdolescence
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TranscendingAdolescence
- Other: https://transcendingadolescence.networkforgood.com/projects/236900-empower-their-journey-support-tgnb-youth-this-giving-season
Image Credits
Joann Huot, Commissioner of Stonewall Sports Jax