The Reciprocity Foundation was created by Taslim Tagore and Adam Bucko in 2005 alongside a Social Enterprise called the Appreciate Network.  The goal was to create a Social Justice Laboratory for healing and empowerment within the QTBIPOC community.

For the past 20 years, Reciprocity has been pioneering holistic mental health, environmental justice, restorative economy and strengths-driven employment in New York City and across the country.

Reciprocity was the first program for healing young adults facing homelessness, incarceration & trauma and has since expanded to include adults, families and single parents. Although our Social Enterprise lacked the capital to continue, we partnered with a range of coops, mutual aid groups, and worker-centered organizations to reimagine employment for our client family. In 2016, we traveled to the White House to meet President Obama in honor of our work with the LGBTQ community and were named leading Change-Makers.

Front-line workers and movement workers often suffer from burnout so we have partnered with 30+ Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to train and support staff in restoration and healing. We also partner with CBOs to advocate for policy change at the city and state levels.

We have documented our evolution from our humble beginnings as a small, grassroots organization pioneering healing, love and community. We have spoken at conferences, legislatures and town halls advocating for changes in social services. Pre-pandemic, we expanded into Austin, Boston, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Our 10th anniversary video can be viewed below or on YouTube, Instagram or FB.  

Today, we are seeking new leaders, healers and board members to take Reciprocity into it’s 3rd decade…

Our current and past board members include: Adam Bucko (co-founder, emeritus), Titta Riikonen-Guy (teacher at Barbara Brennan School of Healing), Patricia Powell (Healing the Racial Divide, Northeastern University), Denise Hinds (Chief Program Officer, Good Shepherd Services), Chris Glorioso (NBC News), Marc Chennault (Finance), Alex Fradkin (Photographer, Author), Alex Anzalone (Institute of Integrative Nutrition).