An independent advocacy initiative
Every man deserves a space where his story matters.
We create safe, inclusive spaces where men can speak honestly about mental and sexual health — free from shame, stigma, and judgment — and reclaim the right to their own bodies, stories, and healing.
The Reclaim Projects is an independent advocacy initiative building toward nonprofit status. Everything here starts with one honest conversation.
“Every man deserves a space where his story matters, his voice is heard, and healing is possible.”
Mental health
Breaking the isolation and silence that keep men from asking for help — and from being heard when they do.
Sexual wellness
Honest, shame-free conversation about sexual health, bodies, and the questions many men were never taught to ask.
HIV awareness & stigma
Education that replaces fear with facts, and stigma with compassion — for people living with HIV and those who love them.
Domestic violence recovery
Men can be survivors too. We hold space for recovery without disbelief, minimization, or shame.
Identity & self-acceptance
Becoming who you are — at any age, on your own timeline, in your own words.
Coming out later in life
For men whose truth arrived later than the world expected: it is not too late, and you are not alone in it.
About Us
Why we exist
Too many men carry their hardest experiences in silence — taught that vulnerability is weakness, that some topics are unspeakable, that healing is something you do alone. The Reclaim Projects exists to change that, one honest conversation at a time.
Our purpose
To create spaces — online and in community — where men can speak honestly about mental and sexual health, free from shame, stigma, and judgment.
Our vision
A world where no man has to heal in hiding — where asking for help is ordinary, stories are met with compassion, and every man can reclaim his body, his story, and his healing.
Where we are headed
We are an independent initiative in our founding stage, building the programs, partnerships, and community that will carry The Reclaim Projects to formal nonprofit status.
Our values
- Dignity first. Every man is met as a whole person — never a diagnosis, a past, or a label.
- Honesty without shame. Truth-telling is the work. Nothing honest is off-limits here.
- Privacy & consent. Stories are shared only with permission, and anonymity is always an option.
- Inclusion. Men of every age, background, identity, and stage of life belong in this conversation.
- Hope, practiced. Healing is possible — and it is easier together than alone.
Building the organization
The Reclaim Projects is being built deliberately and transparently:
- Founding advocacy and storytelling through Beyond Shame
- Community partnerships in mental health, HIV education, and survivor support
- Bilingual programming in English and Spanish as we grow
- A path to nonprofit incorporation, with governance and accountability to match
Our flagship initiative
Beyond Shame
Shame thrives in silence. Beyond Shame is our answer: open conversations, personal storytelling, and education that help men move past shame toward honesty, connection, and healing.
- Storytelling. Men sharing their own experiences — on video, in writing, in their own words — so others recognize themselves and feel less alone.
- Conversation. Guided discussions on the topics men are rarely given permission to raise.
- Education. Clear, compassionate information on mental health, sexual wellness, and HIV — facts over fear.
- Connection. Community that lasts beyond a single event: people who check in, listen, and stay.
“I can’t change the narrative that was taught to me, but I can change the narrative for my own children.”
— Daniel, founder — from his Beyond Shame testimonial on why he speaks
Our Stories
Stories are how shame loses its power
This is a moderated space for men to share what they have lived — anonymously or publicly, in their own words. Every story is reviewed by a person before anything is published, and nothing is ever shared without consent.
From our founder
“Growing up, I carried the fear and shame attached to HIV for years. I can’t change what I heard growing up — but I can change what my children hear from me, and I can use my voice to help make these conversations safer for someone else. This is why I speak. This is why The Reclaim Projects exists.”
— Daniel De Leon Cummings, founder, The Reclaim Projects · Shared publicly as part of Beyond Shame on Instagram, @deleon4u
The stories we’re gathering
Coming out later in life. Living with HIV. Asking for help for the first time. Surviving violence. Learning to talk about your body without shame. If you have lived it, someone needs to hear it.
How moderation works
You choose: publish with your name, with a first name only, or fully anonymously. We review every submission, may suggest light edits for safety, and confirm with you before anything appears.
Your story stays yours
You can ask us to edit or remove your story at any time. Sharing here never means giving your story away.
Share your story
Write as much or as little as you’re ready to share. This form opens a private email draft to our team — nothing is posted automatically.
Resources
Help you can reach today
We are an advocacy initiative, not a crisis service or a clinic. These established organizations can help right now — most are free and confidential.
Crisis & mental health
Call or text 988 (US) — free, confidential support, 24/7, in English and Spanish.
1-800-662-4357 — treatment referrals and information for mental health and substance use, 24/7.
Information, referrals, and support from the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Crisis support for LGBTQ young people — call, text, or chat, 24/7.
Sexual wellness & HIV education
Testing, prevention, treatment, and stigma-free facts from the CDC.
The US government’s HIV information hub — find testing and care near you.
Clear answers on STIs, testing, and safer sex.
Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U): people with HIV who maintain an undetectable viral load do not transmit HIV sexually. Facts end stigma. (Source: CDC)
Domestic violence support
Call 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788 — confidential, 24/7, for anyone of any gender.
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 — free, confidential, 24/7.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911 (US). Resource links are provided for information and are not a substitute for professional care.
Programs & Events
What we’re building
Our programming is in its founding stage. These are the programs in development — join the newsletter below to be first to know when each one opens.
Beyond Shame Story Circles
Small, moderated conversation groups — in person and online — where men practice speaking honestly in a room that listens. In development.
Honest Conversations workshops
Educational workshops on mental health, sexual wellness, and HIV stigma for community groups, workplaces, and pageant and arts communities. In development.
Storytelling on camera
Short testimonial films — like our founder’s Beyond Shame pieces — that carry these conversations to men who would never walk into a meeting. Happening now.
Community outreach
Presence at community and fundraising events, sharing resources and starting conversations where men already gather. In development.
Get Involved
Healing is a team effort
Whether you have time, skills, a platform, or simply a story — there is a place for you here.
Volunteer
Help moderate story submissions, support events, translate content (English ↔ Spanish), or lend professional skills in media, design, and outreach.
Partner with us
Clinics, counselors, community groups, and advocates: let’s build programming and resource pathways together.
Support the mission
Fundraising and secure online giving will open as our nonprofit formation progresses. Join the list below and we’ll write to you first when giving launches — no pressure, ever.
Stay in the conversation
Occasional updates on stories, programs, and events — in English or Spanish. No noise, no selling your information, unsubscribe anytime.
Contact
Start a conversation
Questions, partnership ideas, speaking inquiries, or just something you needed to say to someone — our inbox is a welcoming place. We read everything and reply as soon as we can.
- On the web: reclaimprojects.org
- Instagram: @deleon4u (founder — Beyond Shame stories and updates)
- Prefer to stay anonymous? Share through the story form above — names are always optional.