Provide access to healing and wellbeing for all.

Yaya Por Vida and Decrim305: A Story of Hope, Healing and Mutual Aid

Yaya Por Vida is a Miami-born nonprofit organization that is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people who use drugs and those who suffer from substance use disorder. We provide education and access to resources through the power of art.

Decrim305 is a grassroots initiative led by current and former sex workers aimed at decriminalizing sex work in Miami-Dade County and Florida. Their mission involves providing resources, public education, and advocating for legislative change to decriminalize sex work. Their focus extends beyond legal reforms, encompassing the right to unionize, protection of workers' rights, and the liberation of sex workers from incarceration, along with expunging their records.

These two organizations have teamed up to create a more inclusive and just community for everyone. We believe that art has the power to heal and transform lives, and we are committed to providing our members with the resources and support they need to thrive.

Here are some of the ways that your donation can help:

• Provide art as healing and other creative programs for our participants
• Support our outreach efforts to connect with people who are struggling with substance use disorder
• Advocate for policies that support people in recovery and sex workers
• Raise awareness about substance use disorder and reduce stigma
• Support Decrim305's work to decriminalize sex work and protect sex workers' rights
• Fund Decrim305's hotline is a vital resource for sex workers. It provides a safe space for sex workers to talk about their experiences and to get support. The hotline operators are trained to provide support and resources on a variety of topics, including safe work practices, emergency support, and legal assistance.
• Community Leadership Emergency Aid (NEW PROJECT!):
  • Yaya Por Vida and Decrim305 are committed to providing community leadership emergency aid to sex workers and people who use drugs who are experiencing emergencies such as natural disasters, evictions, or medical crises.
  • We believe that everyone deserves access to the resources they need to survive and thrive, regardless of their profession or substance use status.
  • We work with community leaders to identify and respond to the needs of our most vulnerable members. For example, we may provide financial assistance, help people to find housing or transportation, or connect them with other resources in the community.
  • We believe that community leadership is essential to building a more just and equitable society. By supporting community leaders, we can help to create a world where everyone is safe and supported.

• Here is an example of how we have provided community leadership emergency aid in the past:

  • In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Yaya Por Vida and Decrim305 partnered with local community leaders to provide food, water, and other essential supplies to sex workers and people who use drugs who had been displaced by the storm. We also helped to connect people with housing and other resources.

• We are committed to providing community leadership emergency aid to sex workers and people who use drugs who are experiencing emergencies. Your donation can help us to continue this important work.

Here is a story of two of our participants (chosen to remain anonymous):

"I came Yaya Por Vida after years of struggling with addiction. I was homeless and had lost touch with family and friends. I was hopeless and alone.

At Yaya Por Vida, I found a community of people who understood what I was going through. I began participating in our art as healing programs, and  quickly discovered that I had a natural talent for painting.

Through art, I was able to express my feelings and experiences in a new way. I also began to develop coping skills and build relationships with other members of the program.

Today, I chose a pathway to recovery that works for me while living independently. I am now a regular volunteer at Yaya Por Vida, and use my story to inspire others to recover."

"X is a sex worker who had been working in the industry for several years. She knew how to stay safe, but she also knew that there was always the risk of something going wrong.

One night, X was working when she was picked up by a client who seemed nice at first. But once they got to his place, he became aggressive. X tried to leave, but he wouldn't let her.

X remembered that Decrim305 had a hotline for sex workers, so she contacted them. The mutual aid hotline participants were calm and reassuring. They helped X as a team to stay calm and to develop a plan to escape.

X was able to escape from the client's place without being hurt. She was grateful for the support of the Decrim305 mutual aid hotline."

Your donation can help more participants like her to stay alive, heal and thrive. Please donate today and make a difference.

#YayaPorVida #Decrim305