Anemoni LBGTQ+ Peer Respite

Anemoni LBGTQ+ Peer Respite

Anemoni Peer Respite is Wildflower Alliance’s second peer respite and the first trans and queer peer respite in the world.

Location

Holyoke, Massachusetts

Mobile Respite

Anemoni offers both a place to stay and Mobile Supports in the community

Contact

Request A Room or Mobile Respite

Email Director (not for requesting support)

View a short vide on the need for a trans & queer respite here

Quick Facts

• Regular house with 5 private bedrooms that lock from the inside
• Stays are up to 14 nights
• Mobile Support available up to 30 days
• Open to anyone in Massachusetts (Western Mass for Mobile Supports)
• Come and go as you please
• 24/7 peer support available
• No curfew, meetings, or other restrictions
• Minimal paperwork
• FREE (no insurance required)

Accessibility

• Ramp to entrance
• Accessible first floor including three accessible bedrooms and accessible bathroom with lift system (Note: We have lifts in each first-floor bedroom and the first-floor bathroom. All beds are adjustable via a remote control. We still have work to do to make the laundry area and kitchen more accessible. As it currently stands, it would be difficult for someone using a wheelchair to access the laundry area due to a small lip between rooms and where controls for the machines are located. Similarly, it would be difficult to use the sink or oven based on location of the faucet, dials, etc. We hope to improve this in the future.)
• Living rooms and kitchens on both first and second floors
• Other two bedrooms and second bathroom up one flight of stairs
• We encourage people to not bring or wear chemical fragrances at the house and we provide scent-free shampoo, conditioner, soap and lotion
• Multiple Spanish speakers on team
• ASL interpretation available on request
• We will work with you to figure out transportation to get to the house whenever possible
• Masks are optional in the house unless someone coming in to stay requests masks to be worn in common spaces as an accommodation. In this case, everyone in the space will be required to wear masks unless they are in their bedroom, are outside or are eating/drinking while sitting
• Air purifiers in both living rooms

What is Peer Respite?

Peer respite is a non-clinical crisis alternative for people who are struggling with emotional distress. This could include increased suicidal thoughts, trauma flashbacks, distressing voices/visions, problems with substances, and many other things. People working in peer respites have all ‘been there’ in some way themselves and have been trained to use the wisdom they gained from navigating systems and from the act of surviving to support others on similar paths.

Part of the idea is to create space where people can turn what gets called ‘crisis’ into a learning opportunity.

People working in a peer respite are there to listen, talk and sit with people in distress. They can also explore resources together, research information, partner to fill out forms and more.

Anemoni House has five (5) bedrooms (one person per bedroom) and people can stay up to two weeks at a time.

Gender Affirming Surgery Support

Anemoni also prioritizes one (1) bedroom for people recovering from Gender Affirming Surgery. We know that lack of post-surgery support can be a major barrier and that, while this can be a joyful time, the healing process may also bring up complicated feelings.
 

What is Mobile Support?

Mobile Support also offers peer support, but without needing to go to a specific location. Supports are available virtually (phone, text, etc.) multiple times per week, as well as in person when the team member and person being supported agree that in person is the best fit in that moment. When space allows, Mobile Supports can also be available to people waiting for a room at the house, or after they leave to help ease the transition.

Anemoni Mobile Supports can support up to eight (8) people at a time for up to 30 days per person.

History and Information

Anemoni is the vision of Ephraim Akiva and is the product of years of advocacy on the part of Ephraim and others at Wildflower Alliance in partnership with the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee. Ephraim is one of the original Afiya Peer Respite team members (Wildflower’s first peer respite , having opened on August 4, 2012) and recently moved from Afiya Director to Senior Peer Respite Director and Anemoni Director.

Anemoni officially opened on Monday, April 28, 2025.

Read more about the importance of trans and queer peer respites in this piece by Ephraim and Wildflower Director, Sera Davidow: LGBTQIA+ Peer Respites: The Personal is Political

And take a few minutes to listen to Ephraim speak about the importance of trans and queer peer respites in this 6-minute advocacy video:

Learn more about peer respites in general by visiting our Afiya Peer Respite page.

Why is the house named Anemoni?

Request Support From Anemoni LGBTQ+ Peer Respite or Mobile Respite

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

– Step 1 of 13

As of the last update, there is space open both at Anemoni House and Mobile Support.

You can use this form to request:

• A stay at Anemoni House
• Mobile Support
• A stay at Anemoni House for post-Gender Affirming Surgery recovery time

PLEASE NOTE: We do our best to keep this site up-to-date, but we may currently be in this process with someone else and so availability is subject to change at any time. 

Language / Idioma

at Franklin anything

What language(s) do you speak? / ¿Qué idiomas hablas? *

• I speak only English / Solo hablo inglés
• I speak only Spanish / Solo hablo español
• I speak some English and Spanish but prefer English / Hablo algo de inglés y español pero prefiero el inglés
• I speak some English and Spanish but prefer Spanish / Hablo algo de inglés y español pero prefiero el español.
• I do not speak English or Spanish / No hablo ni inglés ni español

¿Quieres rellenar este formulario en español? (Would you like to fill this form out in Spanish?) *

• Sí, me gustaría completar la versión en español del formulario. (Yes, I would like to fill out the Spanish version of the form.)
• No, quiero completar la versión en inglés del formulario. (No, I want to fill out the English version of the form.)

Por favor haga clic aquí para español.

What language do you speak? (We will use this information to determine interpreter and translation needs) *

Next

This form is the first step to request Anemoni supports.

The next step after this form is talking to an Anemoni team member.

If you need help filling out this form, you can visit one of our centers and ask for help there. (Click here for locations)

If that doesn’t work for you, you can call Anemoni House directly. The house number is 413-538-4100.

Please note: You can list the name, gender, etc. that you want us to use. It doesn’t need to match your ID.

To learn more about Anemoni supports, please click HERE!

If you want to know a little more about what happens to the information you share on this form, CLICK HERE.

Next

Gender Affirming Surgeries

If you are having Gender Affirming Surgery, you may be able to reserve a stay at Anemoni.

If you are curious why we offer this, click here for more info.

Is your main reason for wanting to stay at Anemoni House because you need a place to recover from a Gender Affirming Surgery? *

• No, my reason for wanting support from Anemoni has nothing to do with surgery.
• Yes, I want support while recovering from Gender Affirming Surgery THAT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED.
• Yes, I want support while recovering from Gender Affirming Surgery that is happening SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE.

If you are seeking information on the possibility of staying at Anemoni House after a Gender Affirming Surgery planned sometime for the future, please CLICK HERE to fill out the Advanced Stay Request form.

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Overall Eligibility

For Anemoni supports, you must be:

• Trans, queer or otherwise a part of the LGBTQIA+ community
• Living or staying in Massachusetts*
• 18 or older

We will offer other resource info if you don’t meet these requirements.

*For Mobile Supports, you must be in Western Mass. Click HERE to learn what cities/towns are in Western Mass.

Do you identify as trans, queer or otherwise a part of the LGBTQIA+ community AND do you live or are you staying in Massachusetts AND are you 18+? *

• Yes, I meet all of these basic requirements.
• I meet all of these requirements EXCEPT that I’m not in MA. However, I’m very close to the border and would still like to be considered.
• I do not meet one or more of these requirements.

NOTE: When we say “trans, queer or otherwise a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, our intention is to be inclusive of anyone who falls under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella, including people who identify as agenda, asexual, pansexual, intersex and more.

Next

YOU HAVE REACHED THE END OF THIS FORM.

Unfortunately, you answered one or more of the eligibility questions in a way that suggests you may not meet the requirements for staying at Anemoni House or being supported through Anemoni Mobile Supports.

If you feel you are receiving this message in error and would like to speak to someone directly, please call Anemoni House at 413-538-4100.

Anemoni is a peer respite specifically by and for trans, queer and other LGBTQIA+ community members.

If you are looking for a peer respite without this requirement try Afiya or Kiva Centers.

Afiya is Wildflower’s original peer respite based in Northampton, MA and open to anyone in Western and Central Massachusetts who is 18+ and struggling with emotional distress. You can reach them at 413.570.2990.

Kiva Centers also offers peer respites based in Central Massachusetts and open to people throughout the state. You can learn more by clicking HERE!

We aren’t aware of any peer respites for people under 18 (although they are so needed!), but some of our other supports are available to younger people. These same supports are available to people regardless of where they live or whether or not they are registered as a sex offender.

If you are interested in learning about our on-line supports, you can find out more by clicking HERE!

If you are out of area and interested in peer respite, check out this list of peer respites in other areas. 

Next

Basic Info

Please Note: If a question is marked with a **, it means that info will be shared on an enrollment form to our funder.

You can choose what to put. We won’t check it against an ID or other legal documents.

First name (Doesn't need to match ID) **: *

Last name (Doesn't need to match ID) **: *

Gender ** *

Your pronouns (e.g., he/him, she/her, they/them, ze/zim, etc.) *

Race ** (Typically defined as physical or inherited characteristics like skin color and hair texture) *

Ethnicity ** (Typically defined as ancestral heritage, cultural traditions and similar. For example, Pacific Islander, Irish, Middle Eastern, etc.) *

Date of Birth ** *

Current city or town (Note: You do need to have a permanent address/housing) *

Where are you now? *— Select Choice —HomeFriend or familyh’s homeGroup home (provider-run residence)Emergency roomLocked psychiatric unitClinical respite (Crisis Stabilization Unit)Jail or other detention centerHomeless shelterLiving in a car, tent or outside

Phone (If you don't have a phone number, put all 5s) *

When using my phone number: *

• Both texts and calls are fine.
• Please only text.
• Please only call.
• N/A – I do not have a phone number.

When calling and/or texting my phone: *

• You CAN leave me detailed voicemails and/or texts.
• You CAN leave me a voicemail and/or text saying you’re trying to reach me, but NO details.
• Please do NOT leave any messages.
• N/A – I do not have a phone.

E-mail address (If no e-mail, just put N/A) *

You are most likely to reach me if: *

• You call me
• You text me
• You email me

Please select at least one

Is there anything we should know about your schedule and times you will be most available to talk?

Next

Is your support request voluntary?

We want to make sure that no one is pushing or forcing you to reach out to Anemoni.

Is reaching out to Anemoni your choice? *

• Yes, this is my choice. No one else has pushed, forced or coerced me.
• Someone else wants me to stay, but I’m not sure how I feel about it. I’d like to talk about this more.
• Someone else is pushing, forcing or coercing me to use Anemoni supports.

Okay, thanks for letting us know. We are still happy to talk to you and explore if this might be something you yourself want, or if there are other supports we can tell you about that might work better for you.

However, we only want to talk if you want to talk, so let us know what you want to do.

Do you still want to move forward? *

• Yes, I’d at least like to learn more and see if Anemoni support might be something I want.
• No, I don’t want to move forward. (The form will end here and we won’t set up a time to talk about Anemoni supports.)

Next

Thank you for letting us know you do not want to move forward with this process right now.

Please feel free to start a new form at any time if you change your mind!

Next

Available Supports

Do you want to stay at Anemoni House or connect to Mobile Supports? *

• I want to stay at Anemoni House
• I’d prefer to stay at Anemoni House, but might be interested in Mobile Supports if the house is full
• I am seeking Anemoni Mobile Supports
• Not sure

Reminder: Anemoni Mobile Supports are only available to people in Western Mass.

If you’re not sure if you’re in one of these counties, you can CHECK HERE!

Are you currently in Hampden, Hampshire, Berkshire or Franklin County?

• Yes, I am currently in one of the four Western Mass Counties.
• I’m not sure.
• I’m not, but I’m very close to the border and only want virtual support and hope I can still be considered. I’d like to talk to someone about this.
• No, I’m not in Western Massachusetts.

Next

Thanks for taking a moment to verify your location! We’re almost done. Let’s keep going!

It looks like you’re only interested in Mobile Supports, but unfortunately, you’re outside of Western Massachusetts. 

Anemoni typically only offers Mobile Supports to poeple within Western Mass.

If you’d like to check out Mobile Supports for your area, you may want to reach out to Kiva who may offer Mobile Supports in your area.

If you feel you’ve reached this message in error and would like to speak to someone at Anemoni, you can call Anemoni House at 413.538.4100. 

Thanks for letting us know you’re not sure whether you’re interested in Anemoni House or Anemoni Mobile Supports.

We just want to let you know that – based on your location – it looks like you actually wouldn’t qualify for Anemoni Mobile Supports (open only to people in Western Mass). However, we can still look into the possibility of you staying at Anemoni House (open to people throughout Massachusetts).

If you decide that Mobile Support is truly what you want, you may want to reach out to Kiva who may offer Mobile Supports in your area.

Please go ahead and fill out the rest of this form so we can look into your staying at Anemoni House!

Anemoni House is available to anyone living or staying in Massachusetts. However, as indicated on the previous page, Anemoni Mobile Supports are typically only available to people living or staying in Western Massachsuetts.

It looks like you’re outside of our normal area for Anemoni Mobile Supports, but you can still be considered for a stay at Anemoni House. 

If you decide you’re interested in Mobile Supports, you may want to reach out to Kiva who may offer Mobile Supports in your area.

Please continue filling out this form if you want to see if Anemoni House is a good fit. 

Next

Have you stayed at Anemoni or Afiya Peer Respite before? *

• I have stayed at Anemoni House before
• I have stayed at Afiya House before
• I have used Anemoni’s Mobile Supports before
• I have never stayed at a peer respite or used Mobile Supports connected to a peer respite before.

When did you last stay at peer respite? (For example, "Around six months ago", "A year or two ago", etc.) *

Anything else you want us to know?

Next

Voluntary Demographics

This section is voluntary. Info like this can help with advocacy. If you prefer, you can skip this section by clicking ‘Next’. 

Describe your sexual orientation (Queer, lesbian, aromantic, pansexual, etc.)

Do you have any intellectual or cognitive disabilities or differences? (Autism, neurodiversity, learning disabilities, etc.)

Do you have any physical disabilities or differences? (Wheelchair user, blind, deaf, chronic illness, etc.)

Do you use any MA Department of Mental Health Services? (Check all that apply)

• I have a DMH Case Manager
• I live in a group home (Group Living Environment)
• I am a member of a Clubhouse
• I receive outreach services to help me live in my own apartment

Have you ever used (or been forced to use) any of the following?

• Locked psychiatric unit (voluntary)
• Locked psychiatric unit (force)
• Clinical respite
• Partial hospitalization program

Next

Next Steps

Next, an Anemoni team member will reach out to you as soon as possible to set up a time to talk.

You can generally expect to hear back as follows:

• Form submitted before 10am: By 2pm that day
• Form submitted 10am – 5pm: Within 4 hours
• Form submitted 5pm: By 2pm the next day

Click HERE to learn what happens if we can’t reach you.

If talking directly to someone would be too hard right now (it feels too hard to speak out loud, etc.), you can answer questions in writing.

For the next step (additional questions/conversation): *

• I am okay talking to someone directly.
• ACCOMMODATION REQUEST: I can’t answer questions out loud and need to do it in writing.

Thank you for requesting an accommodation to answer questions in writing. We will provide the link to the full questionnaire after you click submit. 

Please fill out this form within the next 24-hours. We won’t be able to move forward with considering you for Anemoni supports or the wait list until that piece is complete.

PLEASE NOTE: Even if you fill these questions out in writing, we may still need to have at least a brief check in directly in order to finalize any Anemoni supports being offered, especially if supports will be happening in person.

Thank you! We will reach out as soon as possible.

If you don’t hear from us within 4 hours (if you submit this between 10am and 5pm) or by 2pm (if you submitted overnight between 5pm and 10am), please call the house to check in. Anemoni’s number is 413-538-4100.

You should receive a confirmation message once this form has been successfully submitted. 

Submit