Almees was founded by trans newcomers who experienced the barriers this organization exists to dismantle and decided to create community-led health navigation programs for the trans and gender-diverse refugee and migrant newcomers in Canada.
In a Sudanese children's street game culture, the almees is the circle drawn on the ground. Inside the circle, you are safe. You cannot be expelled from the game.
That is what we build, a circle where trans newcomers can access the care they need without having to justify who they are first. A space drawn by people who know what it costs to be outside the circle, and who decided to draw a new one.
"The gap between these two worlds is where trans newcomers fall."
In Canada, trans and gender diverse newcomers encounter a healthcare system not designed with their needs in mind, gender-affirming care pathways that are difficult to navigate even for long-standing residents, and a profound lack of psychosocial supports that recognize the unique intersection of trans identity, forced dispalcement and the newcomer experience.
Settlement agencies help newcomers integrate but they do not always have trans health expertise.
The gap between these two worlds is where trans newcomers fall. Barriers to a family doctor. Barriers to gender-affirming care. Barriers to mental health support. And all of it in a new country, in a new language, in a system that was not designed with our community in mind.
Almees was incorporated in January 2026 to close that gap. Our first pilot programs are the Trans Health System Navigation Pilot in Calgary, and the Trans Psychosocial Support Pilot in partnership with Skipping Stone Foundation and the Migration Humanitarian Health Collective at Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary.
Lived experience of forced displacement as a queer or trans person is not a credential we list but the foundation everything else is built on.
Program delivery, research, and external relations. Background in medicine, humanitarian worker and former refugee.
Financial oversight and funder relationships. Background in political economy and former refugee.
Partnerships, outreach, and referral network. Humaniterian worker and former refugee.
Digital infrastructure, data systems, and web development. Software Engineer and equity advocate.
Dr. Coakley advises on program design, navigator training, and health navigation protocols. She brings deep clinical expertise in refugee health and a long-standing commitment to queer and trans migrants health equity.
Fiscal sponsor and strategic partner. Alberta's leading trans-serving organization.
Fiscal sponsor from the heart of Calgary focused on nurturing local community.
Research partner providing academic oversight of the barriers report and program evaluation.
Clinical advisory and refferal relationship.
Community partner and referral source in Calgary.
Community partner and referral source in Calgary.