Sex Worker Aid Group SWAID Awarded 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Status

“This is a big milestone for us, it’s exciting,” said Codi Vore, an adult industry performer and one of SWAID’s founders along with fellow performers Summer Hart, Xander Corvus, Queen Ava, Tegan Trex and Div. “We’ll make sure donors get a written receipt of all donations, for tax purposes. All support we get means a lot, the goodwill of the adult industry keeps us going and gets more harm reduction supplies into the hands of vulnerable sex workers who need them.”

The road to 501(c)(3) status was littered with a whole lot of paperwork for the women and men running SWAID, who cover all the organization’s overhead and admin costs out of their own pockets. The process for sex workers seeking relief through SWAID, however, is unchanged by the new tax status.

“What makes SWAID so unique is that we are run entirely by sex workers with the simple goal of getting direct financial aid out as quickly and compassionately as possible,” said Vore. “We are proud to cover all operating costs out of pocket so that we can redistribute 100% of contribution funds to sex workers who need them. All of this sets us apart from non-profits run by outsiders who do not understand the needs of our community.”

Good things are adding up at SWAID. Adult performer Natasha Nice recently won a contest at HotMovies.com and pledged her full $2,500 prize to SWAID.

“We’re so grateful to Natasha for that truly generous donation,” said Vore. “Natasha really stepped up to help sex workers, people who really need the assistance. She made a huge difference for them.”

SWAID offers cash grants to sex workers to help with bills and groceries, and the organization also provides vital aid like contraceptives, including condoms, internal condoms and Plan B. As SWAID grows, it’s also looking to help sex workers find affordable reproductive health care services.

What the organization really needs now is sponsors to step up and assist, which means more aid to the sex workers who need it the most.

“We are moving full speed ahead with a new merch shop,” said Vore. “We’re looking into grant and community funding, and we want to work with all companies with an interest in keeping sex workers fed, safe, and able to provide for themselves and their families.”

Individuals who want to donate to SWAID Las Vegas can do so through its contribute page, and companies interested in assisting the organization in an ongoing way should email swaidvegas@protonmail.com.  For more general information on SWAID Vegas, go to SWAIDVegas.org, and follow them on Twitter @swaidvegas.