Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Project Open Arms: Resources, Refuge, & Relocation
10 Plays24 days ago
In this powerful episode of Trans HeartBeat, we talk with TRACTION’s co-founder Michael Woodward about the beginnings of Project Open Arms, a grassroots effort helping trans+ people relocate from unsafe environments and with Elle Cree, the first recipient of Project Open Arms support.
From a one-room cabin in rural Arkansas to a life of transformation and community in Washington state, Elle Cree’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction to Trans Heartbeat and Traction
00:00:08
Speaker
Hello and welcome to Trans Heartbeat. I'm your host, Michelle Matlock, and I encourage the use of all pronouns. In this very special episode, we're going back to where it all began with Traction's very own co-founder and executive director, Michael Woodward, and the incredible Elle Cree, a beloved board member, advocate, and the first recipient of Traction's Project Open Arms.
Mission and Support for the Trans Community
00:00:34
Speaker
You'll hear how Traction was born out of the need for connection and how Elle's powerful journey from crisis to community is a testament to what's possible when we care for each other.
00:00:45
Speaker
If this conversation moves you, we invite you to give generously today or any day that you may be hearing this conversation. Your support helps Traction continue to be a lifeline for trans and gender diverse people across the country.
Origins and Growth of Traction
00:01:00
Speaker
This is Trans Heartbeat.
00:01:05
Speaker
Hey, Michael, welcome to Trans Heartbeat. Hey, thank you. Thanks for having me. ah Let's start with your name, your title, and your pronouns. Sure. So my name is Michael Woodward. i am the co-founder and executive director of TRACTION, which stands for Trans Community Action, as we know.
00:01:23
Speaker
Awesome. i am I'm really excited to have a little conversation with you today ah just about TRACTION. We haven't done that yet on Trans Heartbeat, which is... Kind of crazy. right but But it's happening ah it's happening now. So since you are you know co-founder of the organization, I'd love for you to talk a little bit about what was the spark that led to the founding of Traction and what need were you responding to at that time?
00:01:54
Speaker
We decided we wanted to start a new organization that was service-based because the volunteering part was was really important to folks. And getting to meet other people was sort of an extra added bonus, but what we realized is it really helps reduce isolation and, you know, it helps combat some of the the disparities that our community faces just by being together and knowing other people and things like that.
00:02:17
Speaker
So what we were really doing was addressing the need for community building in in
Challenges and Mission Shift Post-COVID
00:02:22
Speaker
our community. It was just a ah new way to bring folks together. That was something different and new and and folks seemed pretty excited about it.
00:02:29
Speaker
Nice. Nice. Yeah. Yeah. It's good to have a little bit of that backstory. ah Remember that founding. And then, of course, that started in 2019, right?
00:02:41
Speaker
Correct. And then pandemic hit. Right. Yeah. so we we got our 501c3 middle of 2019. So we were really just getting started when COVID hit.
00:02:53
Speaker
we had We had had one gathering. We had our our Emerge Summit, which is actually where we met you, Michelle. That's right. You were emcee. That was great. That was an awesome event. I love that event. Yeah, it was totally fun. Yeah. And then COVID happened and... Nobody went outside for, or nobody, you know, got together for two or three years.
00:03:10
Speaker
Right. So we kind of feel like even though we're technically seven years old, I guess, coming this April, you know, we're really only a few years old because we didn't really get that opportunity to spread our wings right at the beginning.
00:03:22
Speaker
um So we're trying to do that now. Yeah. Yeah. And so as traction has grown, How has the mission or has the mission evolved or stayed the same, especially when it comes to visibility, belonging and serving underserved trans community? How has that transformed?
00:03:41
Speaker
Well, you know, it's it's sort of changed a little bit. I think that we've, um our approach maybe is a little different than we've initially started. We were going to build this volunteer army and go out and do good in the community and, you know, find service projects to work on. well it turns out the service project came right to us. Right. You know, all the folks that are moving here and we started Project Open Arms to try to help folks um figure out what they needed to do to escape persecution in other states. Right.
00:04:10
Speaker
Open Arms has become such a powerful part of Traction's impact. So can you walk us through how it came to life and what it looks like in action?
Project Open Arms: A Lifeline for Safety
00:04:21
Speaker
Project Open Arms came about, i read an article that Aaron Reed wrote two or three years ago now about the fact that there were a lot of folks migrating from red states to blue states trying to escape the hate and the persecution that was happening for trans folks all over the the South especially and Midwest. And you know as i was reading that article, I'm like, there's got to be something that we can do to help folks.
00:04:43
Speaker
And so you know started thinking and talked to some other folks. And we came up with this idea of of Project Open Arms, which helps people figure out, you know if they don't already have a plan, it helps them figure out where they want to go. you know Because We know Washington State is not necessarily affordable to everybody. So we try to help folks go wherever it's going to work for them. But of course, we're experts more on Washington State and Pacific Northwest. So that's where a lot of folks come to us. There are other agencies around the country that are doing this, but not many.
00:05:14
Speaker
So as we have you know leaned into this project more, like people are coming out of the woodwork not just to request help, but also to do helping, to be become volunteers more. to do intake process and to be um peer navigators. We still need more. we especially need more peer navigators, folks that are familiar with the community. But yeah, it it started out as something more simple than it is now. it was really just kind of advice, but now it's really coming into its own as far as a whole program. Like we're we're offering, you know, helping people figure out where they want to go and then how to find, you know, get a job when they, before they get here, hopefully. helping them find housing, even transportation to get here, helping them come up with moving expenses, you know, the whole the whole gamut.
00:05:58
Speaker
And that's that's been quite a challenge. We're still working out a lot of it, especially around expenses for moving and things like that. right But I got to say, I'm so blessed to have such a fantastic team of volunteers.
00:06:10
Speaker
Sophie Debs and especially especially Sophie and and Aspen Coyle have been true leaders in this project and really I've just kind of sat back and let them tell me what they needed to do. and Right. That's great. Yeah. Go forth and conquer. It's great. And they've done an amazing job and I'm so happy with them. And, you know, I just wish we could have more funding for this project so we can actually pay folks to do this work. Yeah, let's get more funding. That's what's happening. So that's great. Thanks for giving us that sort of overview of Open
Interview with Elle Cree, Project Open Arms Recipient
00:06:44
Speaker
Arms. And so, as you know, this episode is going to also feature the very first Open Arms recipient, Elle Cree. That's right.
00:06:53
Speaker
Can you, is there anything you want to say about Elle Cree? Maybe you're going to, as you pass the baton and I go to interview her next. Oh, sure. Elle is amazing. She's she's just such a ah ah good soul. i love her to death. You know, when when we were talking to her, she so she's our first transplant who who came here with our help. She had been beaten down by all the discrimination and hate and stuff. We didn't even know until she got here that she was actually formerly an attorney, and had a civil rights attorney.
00:07:23
Speaker
And then she transitioned and lost everything, her marriage, her practice, everything. um So she was she was kind of a mess when we got to yeah her or she got to us. But you know since then since she got here, she arrived on New Year's Eve of 2024. That's what I was going to say. i just remember that being such a joyous moment, right? Like just that that that first person is on New Year's Eve, start 2025 with such a positive, amazing experience. This person getting out of that situation come here, I mean, it was just really a great feeling. So, yeah.
00:07:58
Speaker
So I get to talk to Elle next. so Thanks for that intro. And thank you, Michael. Please let me know how all the ways for traction and for open arms that people can find out more information and connect.
00:08:12
Speaker
Sure. Well, the easiest thing to do is to go to our website, of course, tractionpnw.org. We also have a link tree that kind of help you go right to the spots you want to go to. So that's linktr.ee slash tractionofficial.org.
00:08:26
Speaker
I think is the link for that. And you can, you know, we, like I said, we need volunteers. We need donors, of course. Donors are super important to us. and But we're also looking for other groups in the community, whether they're here in Washington or anywhere really in the state, in the country, anywhere in the country. that are doing similar work that we can connect with and refer folks to, or have you send folks to us if you are at overcapacity.
00:08:54
Speaker
So there's so many different ways you can plug into this program, or you can just cheer us on from the sidelines too, and that's fine. Awesome.
00:09:15
Speaker
be assigned to a peer navigator and the peer navigator is the person who kind of helps you figure out your plan, you know, helps you point you to job resources, depending on what type of career you have or don't have. And, you know, we just kind of go from there and everybody's story is different. Everybody's plan is different. And the important thing to know is that you as the transplant are always in control. You know, we're not going to force you to go somewhere that you don't want to go. or You don't know anything.
00:09:41
Speaker
You might not know anybody, but, you know, we're not going to force you to go somewhere that you don't want to go We always look for folks that maybe have family somewhere or friends so that they're not completely alone. But we're also here to help build community. So another thing that we're going adding next year is ah hopefully a collaboration with another local organization here. I'm not going to name them yet because it's not official, but we're we're doing like a ah monthly hot meal for all of our community, for folks that are new to town and folks that have been around a while to come and meet the new folks and you know help them feel more comfortable here and get to know people and start rebuilding their life.
00:10:19
Speaker
So hopefully we'll be able to do that at least once a month, if not if not more often. But I'm really looking forward to that piece of it because, you know, getting getting here is one thing, but then living here and finding community is a whole nother step.
00:10:31
Speaker
Right. And we haven't done a whole lot to address that yet, but that's our next our next answer to to that part of the the equation. That's beautiful. i mean, there's so much to talk about and so much of the work that you're doing. i This is just the beginning For real, Michael, will we will definitely have you back to talk about, you know, the new developments that are developments that are happening next year and just to get the word out more about traction, about open arms. But thank you for the work that you're doing.
00:11:01
Speaker
It's so needed. And i just have so much gratitude that you're doing and taking lead on this. And so thank you for being at your first time on trans heartbeat. I think we got it. I love i love this series. I really, especially love the one last time with, uh, with storm Miguel and. Oh yeah.
00:11:20
Speaker
It was, that was. sans Yes. Yes. yeah That was great. Yeah. We're trying to do the thing here. We're trying to you know, just sort of get, get, get how to do this, how to produce those things every month. And,
00:11:35
Speaker
get a wide range of type of interviews so this is cool and it's i think it's about time that we do a little a little feature on
Elle's Journey from Desperation to Hope
00:11:44
Speaker
traction right don't you think right yeah we came up with this whole show we should yeah like at least because nobody's gonna you know what my communications classes my my professor was always like well nobody's gonna promote you if you don't do it yourself right yeah exactly right yeah so here we are we're traction hi Yeah, but I don't want people to think that the only thing Traction does is open arms because we obviously do other stuff like this show, right? And that's where we're hoping to introduce another show next year that's going to be another monthly, more of a news magazine format or something like that. We don't have it all nailed down yet.
00:12:16
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. We do media stuff and we're, we're, we're also other, always looking for other projects. So if there's an organization out there, like I said, our original goal was to, you know, work with other organizations to help spread the news that trans people are are cool. Right. Like, you know, we can do everything else everybody else can do. And, you know, like we're not the single thing that people seem to think we are.
00:12:43
Speaker
Thank you, Michael, for sharing the powerful roots of traction and how it all began. Traction launched Project Open Arms in 2023, right when anti-trans laws and violence were rising fast across the country.
00:12:55
Speaker
It's a grassroots effort to help trans and gender diverse people and their families relocate from unsafe areas to more affirming places like the Pacific Northwest.
00:13:06
Speaker
And now that brings us to someone who knows this journey firsthand. We're honored to have El Cree, the first recipient of Project Open Arms.
00:13:18
Speaker
Hello and welcome to Trans Heartbeat. Thank you. yeah Let's start with your name and your pronouns. Absolutely. My name is El Missouri Cree and I love saying that and my pronoun pronouns are she and her.
00:13:34
Speaker
Excellent. I'm so happy to have you on Trans Heartbeat right now and to be doing a little profile on traction and open arms finally.
00:13:45
Speaker
Yes. Thank you. I've Very happy to be here. You know, it's near and dear to my heart. So thank you. Yeah. So, Elle, you were the very first person to receive support through Traction's Open Arms.
00:14:00
Speaker
Can you take us back to the moment you first learned about the Open Arms program and Traction and what was your life like at that time? Yes, I can. and i And I'll be emotional. It's just the way it goes. No, it was last year. it was a year ago. ah November, it was the election, the day of the election. It was Tuesday.
00:14:23
Speaker
And i was living on a mountain in rural Arkansas, very cold, broke. I was not presenting as I am today. i was i was transgender living in rural Arkansas, very frustrated, very desperate.
00:14:43
Speaker
In a little one-room cabin, literally didn't know what to do. the election results had come out. i I had thought that things were over. And i had very little money and just very little hope.
00:14:59
Speaker
I was being harassed. My heat was being turned off at my propane tank. My water was being turned off. I had been run off the road. i had an open case with a federal organization for civil rights violations.
00:15:15
Speaker
um I was truly desperate. And I had applied for help a long time before this. And, you know, um to me, it was a long time.
00:15:26
Speaker
And I just really thought that that things were over. and Excuse me. um It's fine. Take your time. think i just i'm so grateful that you're but you know sharing this story with us.
00:15:41
Speaker
Thank you. And so i I had my phone, which I still have, and I looked down and there was a message. And it was from Michael Woodward.
00:15:52
Speaker
And he is the director for Tractions. And it was just a little message. And if you know Michael, you you know that he is, you know, he's just, he's Michael. he's He's wonderful. And I love him. God, I love him so much. And he's just very direct. And he's like, hey, you know, um we got this application. And he said, we have some availability. And the availability was on the eve of Thanksgiving of that, of you know, last year.
00:16:24
Speaker
And so we would like to talk to you, you know, on that day. And i i had to pause and i before I responded because I was like, this is just unreal.
00:16:36
Speaker
Because at the moment that email came in, you know, the universe doesn't make mistakes. I say that quite frequently. My mindset was incredibly negative. And i had...
00:16:50
Speaker
um I mean, to say given up was was an understatement. i um you know My meal that night was ah very humble and it was cold. i had you know The propane was off again and watching the news come in.
00:17:10
Speaker
And so I took a moment and I responded and I said, absolutely. i'm I'm willing to talk and I want to talk and i want to see what y'all have to offer. And for the next few weeks, you know, I waited very patiently. i talked to my therapist on Thursday of that week. I was meeting with her biweekly because I was very I was in a very much of a desperate situation at that time.
00:17:39
Speaker
emotionally And I told her, I said, this organization's out there, you know, Attraction Open Arms. They're talking about offering me help on getting out of here. And I don't know what's going to happen. I i don't know. and And I said, they want to meet the night before Thanksgiving. said,
00:17:57
Speaker
I felt like it was going to be lip service. I didn't, you know, is this just going to be another one and done? i I had all these different things going back and forth in my mind, you know, analyzing it into a know that I'm not, you know, this is going to be another organization that's not going to want me um or help me.
00:18:17
Speaker
And um it was just the the buildup was huge. m Just to go back for a second. Sure. Had you just done like a so ah ah a search online or something and found and we, you know, traction popped up and in with many organizations maybe that were offering some so this kind of help or. Yeah, Michelle, it was it was really weird. i had talked to a veterans representative from Chicago of all places.
00:18:50
Speaker
And. in a roundabout way, they said, hey, look, Chicago is great and we love Chicago, but have you ever considered Seattle?
00:19:02
Speaker
And I said, you know, I don't know anything about Seattle. i I don't know. And they said, oh, they said, you need to look at Seattle. And so I Googled Seattle and I started looking and that's how I found the Traction website in the open arms. and i and i had you know And I'd forgotten all about that.
00:19:20
Speaker
And that's where I filled out the intake form for a Project Open Arms. Right, right. and i And I'm sure, you know, like I talk, it was this rambling, you know, you know once upon a time I was born back in.
00:19:37
Speaker
And then it got to end. Well, I think they were getting the point since you got that that text from Michael. so So what were those, for once once you were like, okay,
00:19:48
Speaker
You know, traction, open arms, it seems like they're, you know, this is going to happen. What were those first steps you took with open arms? i mean, how did that support kind of shift into reality for you? What were those, for you know, those first moments where you're like, okay, this is going to happen? Oh, it was that night, that Thanksgiving, eve of Thanksgiving.
00:20:11
Speaker
I flipped on the computer like I did tonight with you and there's Aaron. And she was there first. Michael was running late. And the tears, I didn't even talk.
00:20:23
Speaker
And Erin, if you know Erin, she's the roughest, toughest, kindest person you'll ever meet. And I mean that. Right. I said, honey, you let it flow. And I just i just started crying.
00:20:38
Speaker
And she said, we got you. this Those were her words. And I didn't say a word. I cried. She said, we got you. She said, we are going to help you.
00:20:48
Speaker
and And she would ask me a few questions. And she said, when do you want to leave? And I said, right now. I said, I'm ready to go. And she said, well, she said, I appreciate that. And um she said, but when is practically practical practically when do you want to leave? And I said, as soon as possible. And so what she did and Michael did from that point forward were a couple of things. One of them was.
00:21:15
Speaker
They asked me, they said, do you have a game plan when you get there? And I said, fortunate I said, I'm pretty sure I do. and i I talked to somebody with my employer and I said, hey, I said, what are the odds and of me being able to find you know a job when I get there? And They were like, you know, look, we don't do relocation, but if you show up, we can get you there. You know, we can get you a job. And so this dialogue kept going back and forth over it from Thanksgiving until December 1st, which is a very short period of time. It's, you know, what, eight, nine, 10 days. So I'm talking to Michael, talking to Aaron back and forth. And I said, look, I've got a job when I get there.
00:21:56
Speaker
um And they said, okay, what else do you need? And so they basically kept asking me what my needs were. You know, what what do you need? There was never a question about coming.
00:22:07
Speaker
It was always a question about what do you need? We believe you're going to be successful. We believe that you've got a good head on your shoulders. We believe this program is right for someone like you, that this is to get you out of a very negative situation.
00:22:21
Speaker
I mean, the the threats were real where I was. They were incredible. And so that dialogue kept going until December the 1st when Aaron called me and said, we have a donor and somebody donated airline miles on my behalf through the ah operation Open Arms to get me out of Arkansas. And so they had um a ticket for me and leaving Arkansas. And she said, when do you want to leave? And I said, I would love to leave.
00:22:56
Speaker
before the end of 2024. I said, my goal would be to get out of here if that can happen. And and they made it happen. um And so I left Arkansas with two bags and, um you know, a very positive attitude on December 31st, New Year's Eve.
Transformation and Gratitude
00:23:16
Speaker
I'm flying into Seattle. And, you know, I say that the city of Seattle loaded the fireworks for me and, When I landed, i landed before midnight and because of the time change.
00:23:31
Speaker
And I get off the airplane, and and there's Michael and there's Aaron to greet me. And life-saving. Life-saving. Life-changing.
00:23:43
Speaker
We were all so so excited that that day. We were all in different places doing different things. nice I was downtown running the New Year's Eve celebration and Tacoma.
00:23:54
Speaker
And, but, but, but we all knew that this was happening, that you were flying in and it was such, and we were so happy. um Like if I could have been there to greet you, I would have, yes but I just was like thinking about you, like, and as the first recipient of actually something that has been talked about and sort of dreamed about, there are many, many folks feeling the excitement on that New Year's Eve into the year 2025.
00:24:26
Speaker
ah I remember your texts. I remember everybody's texts. and i And I, you know, and it was just, it literally was, it was like a moment by moment. And, you know, and the other thing I remember feeling was an honor, you know, I mean, knowing that I need to succeed, being the first, you know, i mean, there there were no expectations. I mean, I could have rolled into town and and gone to the casino and disappeared and traction would have been none the wiser or or you know they would have kept going.
00:24:58
Speaker
But that's not how i felt I felt. I felt more than privileged and more than honored to be that first recipient. And I felt in my heart, I have a duty.
00:25:10
Speaker
to make sure that I succeed so that I can make it easier for the next person. And I i told Michael and and Aaron both that in the interview. They said, what do you want to do when you get here? And I said, the first thing I'm going to do when I get to the top of that mountain is turn around and put my hand out for the person behind me.
00:25:28
Speaker
o m That's, oh my gosh, so beautiful. And I feel like exactly what you've been doing is just ever since you landed, giving back, giving back and giving your time and your energy um right back to the community.
00:25:47
Speaker
So sort of looking back at that experience with open arms, how are you feeling about today? You know, like how how are you feeling that it's helped shape the version of yourself that you are today. And you just, you just sort of went into that, but, yeah but is there anything that you could, you know, anything more that you would say about how, how that experience with open arms shaped who you are today?
00:26:15
Speaker
oh my gosh. Okay. So let's go back and Michelle, you've seen it I mean, you've seen, you saw me seven, eight months ago, right? Yeah.
00:26:27
Speaker
This is all different. this is all This is all brand new. and beyond' gorge you but You're Within within this time period one year ago today i was completely different I have come completely changed, i' not changed, I've completely fulfilled who and what I need to be. I have fully transitioned. I have i i would never have been able to do that in Arkansas. i would I would still be languishing over whether or not it was right. Not me, but other people asking that question. i They were suggesting that i went I was to go through conversion therapy.
00:27:10
Speaker
i mean i mean, how has it affected me? I mean, I have gone through facial feminization surgery. i mean, I've done everything. i have I have finally achieved the goals that I dreamed of. And, you know, and those...
00:27:25
Speaker
You know, when Michael told me, because I asked Michael the question, I go, do you think it's possible that I could do this? And Michael just shrugged his shoulders. And you got to know Michael. mean, you just have to know him. So he he just kind of sh shrugged his shoulders. And he's like,
00:27:41
Speaker
Yeah, you know, if you think you could do it and, you know, yeah, you're going to be able to breathe here. And yeah, it's it's highly doable. And the way he said it, I'm like, you got to be full of it. There's no way I can transition in a year. Well, guess what?
00:27:55
Speaker
September 17th, I had my surgery. I'm now recovering and I'm moving on. My life is totally different. My therapist said this the other day. She said, you know, this last surgery was transformative.
00:28:09
Speaker
I went to a meeting the other day and I spilled something on me. And this is this is how it's changed me. I spilled something on the front of me. And, you know, five years ago, I'd have walked around all, you know, worried about how I looked.
00:28:24
Speaker
Now I embrace it, you know, and I make it part of me because it's who I am because I'm truly, truly one. I'm not walking that divided line anymore. And I could not have done it without open arms and traction. i would i just Without open arms and traction, I would not be on this planet.
Closing and Call to Action
00:28:44
Speaker
I wouldn't be here. Yeah.
00:28:52
Speaker
That is real. That is truth. And just honesty, I love your story. i love that you're open and willing to share it with us today on Trans Heartbeat. And I know that is going to touch so many folks out there.
00:29:07
Speaker
i really appreciate you today, Elle. This story, this beautiful transformation, this beautiful just moment in history for traction for you, for open arms.
00:29:20
Speaker
So thank you for being on today. Thank you. And you know how much I thank you. You know how appreciative I am. So thank Of course. Thank you for joining us for this powerful episode of Trans Heartbeat.
00:29:36
Speaker
We're so grateful to Michael and Elle for sharing their journeys and reminding us how essential community care and courageous action are in times like these. we invite you to support the work of Traction and Project Open Arms.
00:29:51
Speaker
Your gift helps trans and gender diverse folks find safety, belonging, and the resources they need to thrive. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference.
00:30:02
Speaker
Until next time, take care of each other and keep the heartbeat strong.