Nic Pagano LGBTQIA+ Fund

Nic Pagano was a passionate member of the LGBTQIA+ community, a voice for justice in the transgender community, and a 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 a substance use disorder.

Our partner for the Nic Pagano Fund is Caron Treatment Centers, a nationally recognized leader in addiction treatment. 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 in financial need. Since partnering with Caron, we’ve been able to raise more than $150,000 in scholarship funding for this community.

To donate or apply, click on the buttons below.