Please help movement icon and community leader, Emi, by keeping her organization Aileen’s open while she battles cancer.

Emi, co-founder and co-director at Aileen’s, sex trade advocate extraordinaire, and beloved friend, is receiving treatment for a serious but curable cancer. For years, Emi has been the driving force that holds together Aileen’s–a peer-led community organizing and hospitality space by and for women living and working along Pac Highway. And, if you know Emi, you would not be surprised to hear that her work at Aileen’s is a massive undertaking, because her dedication to serving the community means she always goes above and beyond. Though she tries to work in between chemo and hospital stays, Emi deserves to focus on her healing. That’s why we are asking for your support: Help Emi, and the community, by keeping Aileen’s running while she fights cancer.

It is crucial that Aileen’s continues to serve women who are experiencing homelessness, criminalization, and violence. Since 2019, Aileen’s has provided hospitality space, non-judgemental and accepting community, peer support, resources, harm reduction advocacy, and outreach services. Led by 6 part-time peer staff, Aileen’s aids community dealing with issues of poverty, criminal legal, CPS, substance use, domestic violence, police harassment and brutality, sexual assault and harassment, racism, transphobia, and more. Countless people rely on Aileen’s for necessities like food, supplies, showers, clothing, and a safe place to rest.

Emi has been essential in Aileen’s ability to serve the community. And, if we don’t find alternative ways to cover her work, the organization will be at serious risk. When asked what all Emi does for Aileen’s, the other co-director Leslie said “Oh, she does everything.” It is hard to describe “everything”, but Emi is in charge of things like: all grant writing and reporting, administration responsibilities, fiscal sponsor management, coalition building, court and political advocacy, resource accrual for survivor support, safety planning, and training/education for staff and community.

Emi needs to rest and focus on healing, but that’s hard for someone like Emi when she doesn’t know that Aileen’s will be okay. With your donation, Aileen’s can increase pay and hire more peer staff, transfer daily operations, buy essential supplies like food, clothes, harm reduction items, and take care of basic costs not covered by grants. Then, Emi can fight cancer knowing that we are here supporting her and the community.

Please donate and widely share the gofundme. To learn more about Aileen’s, visit the website at aileens.org

*While $$$ donations are essential, Aileen’s is in serious need of donated clothing and some other supplies. Please contact us to coordinate making clothing donations and see our wishlist at our website.

**Church of Harm Reduction is founded by Emi and Leslie to support and fundraise for Aileen's