Joy Hertz is a group of LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent peers that are creating the space we’ve never had: a haven for healing and connection where those of us who struggle to survive ourselves are encouraged to share our stories without fear of being stigmatized, reported, or fixed.

We are honored to walk in the footsteps of organizations that have paved the way for Joy Hertz to evolve and come into fruition, only some of whom are listed below:

• Yarrow Collective (Fort Collins, CO) – a by/for/with lived experience organization that builds non-carceral, consent-based alternatives to mental health services through peer support, recovery, and harm reduction.
• Wildflower Alliance (Western Massachusetts) – a grassroots Peer Support, Advocacy, and Training organization with a focus on harm reduction and human rights that pioneered and champions the Alternatives to Suicide approach.

Mission

Joy Hertz exists to support folx navigating the impacts of self-injury and suicide within Denver’s LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent communities. Through peer and community support programming, we create and hold space for connection and healing.

We currently fund our work through individual donations.

Operating Model

Joy Hertz offers three types of programming:

• Brave Spaces: We offer Alternatives to Suicide (Alt2Su) meetings every Thursday evening and AudHD peer support meetings that occur monthly on every fourth Wednesday evening at our community center in southeast Denver (link).
• Self-Expression: monthly locally-led gatherings aimed at fostering creativity, mindfulness, and movement among the Joy hertz community. Our hope is to fund and implement this program by the Fall of 2026.
• Bodily Agency/Safe Alternatives: walk-in body modification (tattoos and body piercings) services in a professional, safe, stigma-free, and compassion-first environment. Our hope is to fund and implement this program by the Spring of 2027.

Support our work

We could use your support! If you’d like to volunteer, please fill out our volunteer interest form (link), if you’d like to donate please do so on our donate page (link).