CINCINNATI, Ohio— Transgender youth face a lot of challenges when it comes to self-esteem and social acceptance. One Cincinnati non-profit is providing a safe and encouraging space to help them express themselves.

• Tranform styles trans youth with clothing that better suits their personality
• The non-profit is now in the back of a makeup business
• Transform outgrew their space quickly and is need of a new building

What may look like a makeup shop on the outskirts of OTR in Cincinnati, is actually a store called Transform in the back room —which gives free clothing to kids who are going through gender transitions.

For Transform’s first client, Elliott Reed, coming out wasn’t easy. But he knew being able to express himself through his clothes was important to him, so he came to Transform, where he was welcomed with open arms.

“It made me feel so happy and welcome by how excited they were," Reed said.

Elliott enjoyed his experience so much that he decided to volunteer and wanted to make sure the clients knew how much they’re loved.

“I’d tell them thank you for making this a possibility and giving so much acceptance and love to so many people who honestly need it more than a lot," Reed said.

But for volunteers like Elliott and Ella, picking out an outfit isn’t so easy in such a small space.

“We honestly outgrew this space within a month because of all the donations coming in," volunteer Ella Dastillung said. "I think because our idea is so clear, we want to give trans kids clothes.”

“Because we’re in a very moldy, dirty basement, we have to keep everything in bins or covered up, which makes it difficult for the stylists to go through some of these curated outfits for the youth," Tristan Vaught Co-Founder of Transform said.

A small space isn’t the only road block for the volunteers of Transform. Co-Founder Nancy Dawson and owner of Bride Face, where Transform is located, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Dawson is planning to sell her business, meaning Transform is in need of a new space, and fast.

“I want Nancy to see this piece of it," Vaught said. "I want her to see us get a building. I want her to see us be able to move along.”

Vaught says ideally they would like to find a space with several floors, one for Transform and others for a community center for LGBTQ youth.

“There’s not something like Louisville youth group or Kaleidoscope in Columbus or Indiana Youth Group in Indianapolis," Vaught said. "There’s not that piece where we can be not only for trans kids or youth, but also LGBQ+ youth. Because we’re also finding that too. Just showing up and having that safer space, and we kind of created that organically.”

For Transform volunteers, they say they’ll continue to offer their services that are so needed in the Cincinnati community.

“The parents that come in are so grateful because they wouldn’t be able to support their kid in this way otherwise because of financial barriers," Dastillung said.

But for now, they will continue to serve trans youth from their small space.

“But as you can see, it’s not the most ideal," Vaught said. "But, it’s home to us right now.”

Transform is currently accepting boys and men clothing donation. Donations are also being accepted here for their new space.