Press release

13 Jun 2019

The Trevor Project awards Ernst & Young LLP and the Jeanneret family with 20/20 Visionary Award for 2019

New York, 13 June 2019 — The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) young people, will honor Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) on Monday, June 17, 2019, with the 20/20 Visionary Award.

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The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) young people, will honor Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) on Monday, June 17, 2019, with the 20/20 Visionary Award. This award recognizes the firm for its work supporting LGBTQ inclusion around the world and creating a sense of belonging while celebrating uniqueness and individuality for all EY professionals.

Rich Jeanneret, EY Americas Vice Chair and EY US East Region Managing Partner, will accept the 20/20 Visionary Award at the TrevorLIVE New York gala. Jeanneret is the EY Americas Executive Sponsor of the EY Unity network and uses this platform to advance inclusion, transgender equality and LGBTQ rights. Jeanneret will be joined by his wife Lisa; son Henry, who is a member of the transgender community; other family members and other EY professionals.

Jeanneret said, “I am humbled to accept this award on behalf of my colleagues at EY and my family. We will continue to advocate to further transgender equality, to promote community and to support other parents of transgender young people.”

“We’re so grateful to EY US for its long-standing support of LGBTQ young people, and we’re proud to honor them at TrevorLIVE New York this year,” said Amit Paley, CEO & Executive Director of The Trevor Project. “EY US and its volunteer crisis counselors help ensure LGBTQ young people around the country know they are seen, heard and never alone.”

This honor also recognizes the long-standing collaboration between EY US and The Trevor Project of over 10 years. EY US received the 20/20 Award in 2011 with Beth Brooke-Marciniak, EY Global Vice Chair – Public Policy, accepting the award.

The Trevor Project estimates that each year more than 1.5 million LGBTQ youth experience suicidal ideation and could benefit from its services. The organization works to save young lives by providing support through free and confidential suicide prevention and crisis intervention programs on platforms where young people spend their time: 24-7 phone lifeline, chat, text and soon-to-come integrations with social media platforms.

In April, the Trevor Project announced that its text and chat counseling services were available 24-7 for the first time in the organization’s 21-year history of saving young LGBTQ lives. By scaling its text and chat services to meet young people where they are, the organization can serve even more LGBTQ youth in crisis anywhere, anytime.

EY US’s commitment to the Trevor Project is underscored by the scores of EY US professionals who volunteer at the organization as crisis counselors to support LGBTQ youth nationwide, a long-term Principal Unity Sponsorship and senior executive involvement, including serving on the Trevor Project's Board of Directors.

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EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities. #ProudToBelong

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This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited operating in the US.

About The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ young people. The Trevor Project offers a suite of 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention programs, including TrevorLifeline, TrevorText, and TrevorChat as well as the world’s largest safe space social networking site for LGBTQ youth, TrevorSpace. Trevor also operates an education program with resources for youth-serving adults and organizations, an advocacy department fighting for pro-LGBTQ legislation and against anti-LGBTQ rhetoric/policy positions, and a research team to discover the most effective means to help young LGBTQ people in crisis and end suicide. If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless or suicidal, our trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386 via chat www.TheTrevorProject.org/Help, or by texting START to 678678.