Las Vegas Red Umbrella Collective + The Cupcake Girls Respond to Incompetency Ruling of Larissa Garcia's Accused Murderer In an upsetting yet unsurprising ruling, the accused murderer of Larissa Garcia, 30-year-old mother, student, and local sex worker is deemed incompetent to stand trial and remanded to mental health treatment. On August 21st, 2024, the Las Vegas Red Umbrella Collective, a local mutual aid network that provides resources to sex workers and victims of sex trafficking, attended a further competency hearing in honor of Larissa Garcia, a local young mother who was engaged in the sex trade industry, who was violently strangled and killed by a client, Jason Kendall. Jason Kendall was ruled incompetent and sent to Rawson-Neal Hospital until ruled competent to stand trial. Las Vegas is a city built on the backs of sex workers. This makes it even more imperative for the larger community to recognize the uniquely compounded epidemic of violence facing the sex worker community in our Valley. Las Vegas RUC and The Cupcake Girls will invite community organizations, members, and leaders to come together to respond to the incredibly horrific precedent this case presents to our most vulnerable. Unfortunately, not only are we not seeing support for sex workers during this epidemic, but we’re seeing harmful legislation intentionally oppressing sex workers more than ever before. This moment should serve as a wake-up call and catalyst for the community to ensure more meaningful protections for sex workers, and we invite our community to join us in pushing for meaningful societal and political change. We invite the public to come on August 23, 2024, and witness as we work to ensure activation against stigma, discrimination, and injustice. What: A Space for Mourning, Remembrance, and Activation Hosted By: Las Vegas Red Umbrella Collective + The Cupcake Girls When: August 23, 2024 - 3:30pm PT Where: Undisclosed location for safety - email [email protected] for the location Contact for location or any additional information: [email protected] ###
The Cupcake Girls
Individual and Family Services
Las Vegas, NV 926 followers
We provide nonjudgmental support to empower our clients in their pursuits through respect, resources, and relationships.
About us
The Cupcake Girls facilitate connections between community resources and individuals involved in all realms of the sex industry, including individuals who have been sex trafficked. Through trained volunteers and community partners, we respectfully and discreetly provide individuals with resources and support tailored to fit his or her needs by building personal relationships; one cupcake at a time. At The Cupcake Girls, we make a concerted effort to build a relationship with each and every individual we meet. We recognize that all relationships are founded upon trust and we strive to allow relationships to build organically following the lead of each individual. Our cupcakes serve as an icebreaker; a means for us to simply say hello and say that we are here if you need us. As trust develops, monthly cupcakes may turn into phone calls or coffee dates and we often find ourselves invited into an individual’s life assisting by any means necessary. Since The Cupcake Girls' origination, we have partnered with doctors, dentists, therapists, tutors, lawyers, financial advisers, and other skilled professionals who have shared their talents and expertise at little to no cost. We have assisted as babysitters, chauffeurs, shoulders to cry on, hands to hold, cheerleaders, stylists, mentors, and friends. Importantly, while some individuals request our assistance, other individuals in the adult entertainment industry thrive and are not in need of our services. We acknowledge that not everyone working in the adult entertainment industry needs additional support and/or connections to community resources. As in most situations, there are a spectrum of experiences and necessities. Wherever an individual finds him or herself, the Cupcake Girls are there to offer support, whether it is celebrating a success, offering help during a crisis, or finding an important resource connection.
- Website
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https://linktr.ee/cupcakegirlsorg
External link for The Cupcake Girls
- Industry
- Individual and Family Services
- Company size
- 51-200 employees
- Headquarters
- Las Vegas, NV
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 2009
Locations
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Primary
3110 S Valley View
Suite 201
Las Vegas, NV 89102, US
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240 N Broadway
Portland, Oregon 97227, US
Employees at The Cupcake Girls
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Chloe Kestermont
Passionate Project Manager & Lifelong Learner | Agile Enthusiast | Soft Skills Advocate
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Jennifer Stansbery
Credentialing Specialist at Davlong Systems Inc
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Alyssa Tolva
Branch Manager of Oregon + SW Washington at The Cupcake Girls
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Amy-Marie Merrell
working towards justice, equality, love, and collective liberation.
Updates
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As a community organization dedicated to advocating for justice, equality, and the empowerment of marginalized communities, we are deeply concerned about the Seattle City Council’s recent actions regarding the proposed reintroduction of the prostitution loitering law and the new SOAP (Stay-Out-of-Area Prostitution) and SODA (Stay-Out-of-Drug-Area) measures. Additionally, the council's delay in voting on Initiative I-137, which would fund social housing, raises significant concerns about the direction of our city's policies. These policies - argued by the council to address issues of safety and crime- create more barriers to resources in such a way that is likely to increase instability and risk to sex trafficking. Instead of arrest, people suffering from poverty or sex trafficking must be offered real support- like housing, community support, and financial aid- so they can make decisions that are best suited for their own lives. The reintroduction of the prostitution loitering law, which was repealed in 2020, along with the new SOAP and SODA measures, represents a troubling step backward for Seattle. These laws historically have been used to unjustly target Black, Brown, poor, and LGBTQ+ individuals for routine activities. Reinstating these measures would not prevent crime or trafficking but would instead perpetuate systemic discrimination and hardship for our most vulnerable residents. These laws allow for the arrest and displacement of individuals based merely on accusations, violating the fundamental principle of 'innocent until proven guilty.' The proposed SOAP and SODA measures would impose pre-trial restrictions, banning individuals from entering entire neighborhoods and further marginalizing those already struggling with poverty and lack of resources. We believe that criminalizing loitering and restricting movement without due process does not enhance public safety. Instead, it creates additional barriers for individuals seeking to rebuild their lives, exacerbating social and economic inequalities. For example, SOAP would ban anyone charged with prostitution-related crimes from accessing Aurora Commons, one of Seattle’s only resource centers for sex workers or people experiencing sex trafficking. The council’s decision to delay voting on Initiative I-137, which seeks to fund social housing, is equally concerning. Initiative I-137, supported by thousands of Seattle residents, aims to provide sustainable funding for permanently affordable, mixed-income public housing. This initiative is crucial for addressing Seattle’s housing crisis and ensuring that all residents have access to safe, affordable housing. Delaying this measure not only undermines the democratic process but also stalls essential progress in providing long-term housing solutions for our community. **Read the rest of our statement here: https://lnkd.in/gMMMypj7
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Hey there! We’re here to give you an update on what’s happening with The Cupcake Girls! We have made a strategic decision to take a week break from external commitments and focus on some important internal planning. This will be taking place from August 12-16th, 2024. During this time, our main goals are to sharpen our focus, align our efforts, and enhance the overall quality of our processes, policies, and staff training. We’re intentionally dedicating time and energy to this initiative because we truly believe in providing the best possible care and support to those we serve. This deliberate pause is a reflection of our commitment to continuous improvement and our pursuit of excellence in supportive services. We want to ensure our team is equipped with the best tools and strategies, enabling us to deliver top-notch support in the most effective way possible. Thanks for being part of our journey and stay tuned for more exciting updates!
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In the last week, we were invited to meet Kamala Harris, and we were interviewed by TIME Magazine. Excited to see what next week will bring! The Cupcake Girls is always looking for passionate volunteers, generous sponsors, donors and partners. Learn more about how to support our mission by volunteering with us, donating to our cause or partnering with our organization to deliver pro-bono and/or low-cost mental, emotional, spiritual, physical and financial support and resources to our program participants. www.thecupcakegirls.org
The Cupcake Girls
thecupcakegirls.org
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“The Cupcake Girls has held a special place in my heart since I started as a volunteer 12 years ago. They are a unique organization who bring much needed services. I am excited to bring my experience and perspective as a social worker, gender-based violence researcher, and interventionist to my new role as the next TCG chairperson.” - Dr. Ariel Richer A little bit about Ariel (she/her): is Afro-Indigenous and white, descendant of Carib Indians, the Indigenous people of Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Utah, College of Social Work. Ariel earned both a Master’s Degree and a PhD in Social Work at Columbia University School of Social Work, and has been a Licensed Master Social Worker for 8 years. She is an interventionist who engages in community-driven research to co-create culturally-tailored interventions and services that address the substance use, intimate partner violence, and HIV and STI risk (SAVA) syndemic. Ariel works with Black, Indigenous, and queer communities who use drugs who experience structural stigma related to drug use, involvement in the criminal-legal system, sexuality, and racism. She is also the Co-Founder/Director of Urban Indigenous Collective, a community-based public health non-profit that serves urban-living Indigenous people living in Lenapehoking (New York City) and the surrounding tri-state area. Ariel is fiercely committed to addressing gender-based issues at large, especially gender-based violence and MMIP (missing and murdered Indigenous people) and has over nine years of experience within domestic violence organizations, sexual assault resource centers, and economic enhancement programs serving survivors of trafficking and domestic violence. Welcome Dr. Ariel Richer, LMSW!
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Before we go into announcing our new board we have to stop and give a gratitude filled send off, a heartfelt thank you to the incredible, Charlotte Stokely for her leadership as our Chairwoman the last three and a half years!🌟 We are immensely grateful for your exceptional leadership and dedication to our mission. Your commitment to bringing diversity to our board has enriched our team with invaluable perspectives, fostering a more inclusive and innovative environment. 💡✨ Your advocacy for including individuals with lived experience on our staff has been transformative, ensuring our work remains authentic and impactful. Your vision and passion inspire so many of us every day. 🌈💪 Thank you for being a driving force behind our mission. We are beyond fortunate to have had you on our board, and as our Chair, we cheer you on as you move from this role, and are so thankful for your continued support! ❤️🙌 #Gratitude #Leadership #ThankYou #TheCupcakeGirls
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The Cupcake Girls reposted this
Dorcel s’est engagé auprès de l’association The Cupcake Girls qui combat les préjugés, la stigmatisation, les idées reçues autour des travailleurs.euses du sexe et lutte également contre la traite d’êtres humains. L’association a été récemment confrontées à une campagne de désinformation ciblée qui a engendré des obstacles majeurs à l'obtention de financements gouvernementaux essentiels pour leurs actions. Cupcake Girl offre un soutien diversifié couvant tous les aspects de la vie des TDS, comme l’assistance physique, psychologique ou encore financière. Dorcel est fier d’avoir participé à la campagne d’appel aux dons organisée par AYLO et ECP pour soutenir, à l’unisson, un mouvement qui offre une aide indispensable à tous les TDS.
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📣 Exciting News Coming This Week! 📣 We are thrilled to introduce some incredible new members joining our Board of Directors! 🌟 Get ready to meet the powerhouse team that’s dedicated to driving our mission forward. Stay tuned this week as we unveil the amazing individuals who are passionate about creating safe spaces of hope and healing for our community. 💖 🎉✨ #NewBoardMembers #PowerhouseTeam #TheCupcakeGirls #Welcome #CommunityLeaders #StayTuned
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For immediate release! The Cupcake Girls and le Shaw partner to address systemic issues affecting the sex industry The Cupcake Girls, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting people in the sex industry, whether they are there by choice or force, fraud, and coercion, is excited to announce their new partnership with le Shaw, the International Sexual Health and Wellness Research Institute. Le Shaw is dedicated to advancing sex-positive principles, promoting human rights, addressing misconceptions, fostering data-driven decision-making, and enhancing sexual health and intimate well-being worldwide. The Cupcake Girls and le Shaw will focus their collaboration on deepening the reach of the Cupcake Girl’s Direct Care and Community Resources programs and furthering and promoting a more inclusive and respectful understanding of sex work. “The Cupcake Girls are making substantial contributions towards empowering sex workers and survivors of sex trafficking,” Bobbi Bidochka, Director of le Shaw, explained. “Our shared values and goals make this partnership a powerful step forward in addressing the systemic issues in the industry and promoting a sex-positive culture.” "We are thrilled to join forces with le Shaw in this transformative partnership. Together, we will enhance our Direct Care and Community Resource programs, broadening our impact and fostering a more inclusive and respectful understanding of sex work. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to ensure sex trafficking is eradicated and sex workers are safe and empowered. By combining our efforts, we are taking a significant step toward our vision of a world where individuals are free from stigma and violence, and everyone has access to the support they need. Our shared commitment to promoting a sex-positive, stigma-free culture and advancing human rights will undoubtedly create lasting change." - Amy-Marie Merrell, Co-Executive Director of The Cupcake Girls. For more information about The Cupcake Girls and its partnership with le Shaw, please contact [email protected]
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Thankful for our leadership, this staff and board are phenomenal!
In 2021, I became Executive Director at The Cupcake Girls (TCG) + then Co-Executive Director in 2023 When I first assumed this position, we faced a daunting reality: We were in the middle of facing heavy criticism from past participants in our programs We were in an IRS audit that turned into two IDRs, combining every transaction staff members made in 2018-2021 Within three months of my assuming the position, we lost over half of our monthly donors Through it all, the unwavering dedication of our community + TCG’s team has been nothing short of extraordinary As of today: We have more monthly donors than before (although in smaller amounts! We love you $5 + $10 a month donors! You’re our bread + butter!) We have nationwide partnerships with antitrafficking organizations + s-x work organizers We received federal funding for the first time in our history We have paid for two nonprofit audits, + passed with flying colors We have received Guidestars Platinum seal of transparency, the highest seal you can receive I cried a little I’m deeply thankful for our board + staff members, who have relentlessly worked to drive our organization forward in intentionally healthy ways From those early days of uncertainty to our present strides forward, I continue to be inspired by the hard work + dedication of this team, which continues to propel us to new levels of transparency + integrity A special thank you to the staff who have been through the entirety of the transition with us: Co-Executive Director, Brironni Alex, National Programs Director, Maricruz Gomez, Community Engagement Manager of our Oregon SW Washington office Grace Aasen, + last but not least, our Branch Manager in Oregon SW Washinton Alyssa Tolva Most importantly, I want to express my deep gratitude to the participants in our programs Despite the trust we had broken, thank you for the opportunities you have given us to apologize + work to improve We will continue apologizing for the harm caused; we must + will continue to own our actions + be accountable to learn how to create less harm + more safety for the participants in our programs I am excited to continue this journey alongside such a fantastic group of people