Nic Pagano LGBTQIA+ Fund

The Nic Pagano Scholarship Fund helps LGBTQIA+ individuals access quality, affirming
substance use disorder treatment.

Nic Pagano was a passionate member of the LGBTQIA+ community, a voice for justice in the Transgender community and talented stage and film actor. He died tragically of an overdose in June 2021.

Remembered with love as a compassionate member of his sober living home, Nic went out of his way to welcome new clients and help them adjust to their new living environment. While he was always deeply passionate about movies and music and was already a working actor, he began to realize his interest in pursuing a career in therapeutic healing.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that when compared with the general population, the LGBTQIA+ community is more likely to “have higher rates of substance abuse.” In fact, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that the LGBTQIA+ community is at least 2-3 times more likely to develop substance use disorder.

Despite these statistics, our partner for the Nic Pagano Fund, Caron Treatment Centers,
currently notes that roughly 10% of our annual census is comprised with patients who identify as LGBTQIA+. Caron believes there is more that should be done to address the needs of this population and it starts with expanded programming, training around cultural competency and ultimately increasing access to treatment for those with financial need.

Since partnering with Caron Treatment Centers, a center of excellence in addiction treatment, we’ve been able to raise more than $150,000 in scholarship funding for this community.

To donate to Nic’s fund, click on the button below.