About Us

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In the heart of Providence, Rhode Island, PVD House began as a vision shared by four passionate individuals. Driven by a shared commitment to care for the LGBTQ+ community in need, they set out to create an organization that could address the unique challenges faced by queer individuals, who are disproportionately at risk.

Statistics reveal the stark reality: LGBTQ+ adults, particularly those who are transgender or nonbinary, experience significantly higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempts compared to the general population, with roughly 40% of transgender adults having attempted suicide in their lifetime, compared to less than 5% of the general U.S. population. Disparities persist into young adulthood (18–25), where LGBTQ individuals remain over four times more likely to report planning and attempting suicide than heterosexual, cisgender peers*. This heartbreaking truth fueled the founders’ determination to offer not just shelter but a sense of belonging, safety, and hope. Their mission was clear—to provide necessary free programing to help emotional processing, identity, and healing tools. All while the organization builds its next steps, free emergency and low-cost housing for the LGBTQ+ community at risk in Providence.

We seek to empower LGBTQ+ people 18 years and older to build a safer, more inclusive world.

PVD House is currently raising funds to purchase its first building—a space that will serve as a haven for those who need it most. But the work of PVD House is already transforming lives. While the fundraising efforts are ongoing, the organization has launched a series of impactful programs designed to empower the community, starting with music based workshops and programs led by a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) and board certified music therapist (MT-BC). 

As PVD House moves forward with its fundraising efforts and program expansions, it continues to be a beacon of hope for the LGBTQ+ community in Providence. The founders’ vision is steadily becoming a reality—one built on compassion, creativity, and the unwavering belief that everyone deserves a place to call home.

Every donation, every drumming session, and every new connection formed at PVD House brings the organization closer to its ultimate goal: a world where no LGBTQ+ individual is left without support, safety, and love.

This is just the beginning of the PVD House story, and with the support of the community, it will be a legacy of resilience, inclusion, and harmony for generations to come

At PVD House, healing begins with connection. Peer support is the foundation of our work and the starting point for most of what we do. We create consistent, affirming space where LGBTQ+ individuals can build relationships, access resources, and feel supported in both celebration and challenge.

Our commitment extends beyond our walls. We advocate regularly at the Rhode Island State House for affordable housing and LGBTQ+ equity, working to advance policies that promote safety, stability, and dignity. Housing justice remains central to our mission.

We collaborate on citywide initiatives and cultural events, including partnership with WaterFire Providence, helping ensure LGBTQ+ visibility and representation within major civic spaces. We support and uplift other LGBTQ+-focused events, participate in community-wide initiatives, like our collaborations with RI Latino Arts, and help connect individuals and organizations across Rhode Island.

PVD House organizes clothing and food drives, engages in mutual aid efforts, and responds to urgent community needs as they arise, giving directly to Operation No One Dies and other similar organizations. We volunteer, source volunteers, partner, and share resources with aligned organizations -  including ongoing collaboration with The Womxn Project and other community leaders.

We also support the development and organization of trans-health conferences and volunteer with the Trans-FARM-ative Project, whose mission is to expand food security, agricultural sustainability, economic viability, and LGBTQ+ community support in Rhode Island through accessible farming education and inclusive land stewardship.

Creative expression is a core part of our approach to wellness. We host and develop arts-centered programming that creates safe space for LGBTQ+ artists and community members to explore identity, process complex experiences, and build supportive relationships. Our arts and health initiatives continue to grow, and in 2026 we will expand our Music Therapy program while introducing additional arts-based wellness offerings.

PVD House offers arts and music programming rooted in long-term wellness. Our programs create affirming environments where participants can express creativity, process emotions, and strengthen community connection.

Our Music Therapy program has become a cornerstone of our work. We currently offer two active programs led by Kim Johnson, LMHC, MT-BC — a licensed mental health counselor and board-certified music therapist. Participants of all musical interests and abilities gather in a safe, structured setting centered on identity, expression, and wellbeing.

LGBTQ+ Songwriting & Identity Workshop

Spring 2026 · Bi-monthly · 8 sessions

LGBTQ+ Drumming & Wellness Group

Monthly · Sundays

Both programs are free, open to all individuals, and held in partnership with Now or Never Cafe. Additional details and registration information are available below.

• About 4 in 10 LGBTQ+ adults describe their mental health as “fair” or “poor,” roughly twice the rate of non-LGBT adults. *KFF
• 44% of LGBTQ+ adults say they or a family member experienced a severe mental health crisis (like hospitalization, homelessness, self-harm, or suicide), more than twice the rate of non-LGBTQ+ adults (19%). *KFF
• Nearly half (46%) of LGBTQ+ adults needed mental health services but did not receive them in the past three years. *KFF
• One accepting adult decreases the risk of suicide by 40% for LGBTQ+ youth. *Time Out Youth
• 62 % of transgender adults reported experiencing discrimination of some kind in the past year, significantly higher than the overall LGBTQI+ rate (36 %) and the non-LGBTQI+ rate (17 %). *Center for American Progress
• Members of the LGBTQ+ community are more likely to become homeless, and are more likely to endure discrimination that extends their homelessness and frequently forces youth into survival behaviors that jeopardize their wellbeing and safety. *HUD Exchange
• LGBTQ+ adults, particularly those who are transgender or nonbinary, experience significantly higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempts compared to the general population, with roughly 40% of transgender adults having attempted suicide in their lifetime, compared to less than 5% of the general U.S. population. Disparities persist into young adulthood (18–25), where LGBTQ individuals remain over four times more likely to report planning and attempting suicide than heterosexual, cisgender peers. *National Alliance on Mental Illness