Welcome to The Coalition

The long term goal of Waves of Change Coalition, is address the epidemic of loneliness, isolation, and marginalization through the development of, The Coalition. The Coalition aims to provide a variety of opportunities that foster a genuine sense of community through group support, collaborative efforts, and community events. My mission is to create a space where individuals who have struggled to fit in can feel seen, heard, and valued. Ultimately, a sanctuary for authentic expression and emotional connection. It’s safe place to say fuck and cry. We honor the authentic and unapologetically real.

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According to research data, loneliness increases the risk of premature death by 26% to 50% and has health effects comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes daily, raising the likelihood of heart disease and stroke. 

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Some scary facts:

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Isolation and Marginalization of Women​, Ethnic Groups, Veterans, and LGBTQIA+ Communities 

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• Isolation and Marginalization of Women

  • 1 in 3 women globally experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, according to the WHO (2021). This often leads to isolation due to stigma or controlling behaviors by perpetrators.

  • Survivors of violence are 50% more likely to develop depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which contribute to social withdrawal.

  • Women globally earn 77 cents for every dollar earned by men (ILO, 2020).

  • Women are twice as likely as men to experience anxiety disorders (NIMH, 2021), partly due to societal expectations and caregiving roles.

• Isolation and Marginalization of Ethnic Groups​

  • Among marginalized communities, only 34% of African Americans and 27% of Hispanic Americas with mental illness receive treatment compared to 50% of White Americans (NAMI, 2023).

  • Language barriers lead to 32% of Hispanic Americans reporting difficulty accessing healthcare due to lack of culturally competent providers (KFF, 2022).​

  • Ethnic minorities in the U.S. have higher rates of chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension, partly due to lack of access to healthcare (CDC, 2023).

• Isolation and Marginalization of Veterans

  • ​65% of veterans with PTSD also meet criteria for substance use disorders (National Center for PTSD, 2022). Substance use can isolate veterans from their families and communities.

  • Veterans with PTSD are 3-5 times more likely to experience significant social isolation compared to their peers (National Center for PTSD, 2021).

  • Depression is prevalent in 25% of veterans, and those affected are more likely to withdraw from social activities (American Psychological Association, 2022).

  • Veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than non-veterans (VA, 2023).

• Isolation and Marginalization of LGBTQIA+ communities

  • LGBTQIA+ individuals are 2.5 times more likely to experience depression and anxiety (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).

  • 40% of transgender adults report attempting suicide, compared to 4.6% of the general population (The Trevor Project, 2023).

  • Rejecting family behaviors increase the risk of depression and substance use by up to 600% for LGBTQIA+ youth (Family Acceptance Project, 2022).

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This data highlights the urgency to build community and connection as a means to improve overall health outcomes. 

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The Coalition is building...

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