We have compiled a list of resources that anyone can use for further education on LGBTQI issues, organizations and assistance programs, volunteer opportunities, and more.
Funding Change:
Making a significant impact to solve LGBTQIA homelessness can take many different routes. One route is connecting your and your family’s Amazon Accounts to automatically donate a percentage to the non-profit organization of your choice via the Amazon Smile Program.
Helpful Phone Numbers:
The National Runaway Safeline: 800-786-2929.
- They offer text and email support, and a forum for peer discussion and provide confidential and affirming support.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
- 24 hr crisis hotline
Runaway and Homeless Youth Directory for NYS
- NYS is divided by counties to best direct someone in need.
https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/youth/rhy/directory.php
Trans Lifeline Suicide Hotline 877-565-8860
NYC
A 24-hour program, The Ali Forney Center never closes its doors. They provide more than just a bed and food for those in need — from the initial intake at the drop-in center to transitional housing and job readiness training, they provide homeless LGBTQ+ youth a safe, warm, supportive environment to escape the streets.
The Ali Forney Center has volunteer opportunities.
New Alternatives Their mission is to increase the self-sufficiency of LGBTQ+ homeless youth by enabling them to transition out of the shelter system to stable adult lives. We do this by providing long-term support, weekly case management, education services, life skills training, community-building recreational activities, opportunities for self-expression, and programs for HIV+ youth. Our guiding principles are those of harm reduction, youth development, and empowerment.
New Alternatives has volunteer opportunities.
National Organizations
Covenant House, the largest provider of services to young people facing homelessness and survivors of human trafficking in the Americas. Covenant House uses the True Colors Inclusion Assessment in all of its shelters to ensure an inclusive, affirming, and safe environment for LGBTQIA youth. Covenant House has youth homeless shelters in 31 cities in North and Central America.
Covenant House has many fundraising and awareness raiding opportunities.
Homelessness Resource Center: Homeless Populations
The Homelessness Resource Center is managed by the Homeless and Housing Resource Network, supported by SAMHSA. This Center, which includes LGBT-related resources, is an interactive community of providers, consumers, policymakers, researchers, and public agencies at federal, state, and local levels. It shares state-of-the-art knowledge and promising practices to prevent and end homelessness through
- training and technical assistance
- publications and materials
- online learning opportunities
- networking and collaboration.
A Guide for Understanding, Supporting, and Affirming LGBTQI2-S Children, Youth, and Families (PDF, 19 pages)
This guide, written by members of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Workgroup to Address the Needs of Children and Youth Who Are LGBTQI2-S and Their Families, provides information for service providers, educators, allies, and community members who seek to support the health and well-being of children and youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, or two-spirit (LGBTQI2-S) and their families. This guide can support efforts to promote full and affirming inclusion of LGBTQI2-S youth and families in communities and provider settings (e.g., child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health, schools). The guide’s last page includes a place for organizations to add their endorsement electronically. Both the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) have endorsed the guide.
True Colors Fund
The True Colors Fund was co-founded by Cyndi Lauper to inspire and engage everyone, especially straight people, to become active participants in the advancement of equality for all and to raise awareness about and bring an end to LGBT youth homelessness. The True Colors Forty to None Project is carrying out an extensive set of programs and initiatives around the areas of education, advocacy, empowerment, capacity building, and inclusion. The project’s webpage includes a search engine to identify local runaway and homeless youth providers that are welcoming and inclusive. The website also has best practices and other resources for the community and providers.
The Economic Well-Being of Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care
This brief discusses the well-being of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth aging out of foster care, comparing data with data for their heterosexual peers. Data came from a longitudinal study, the Midwest Study of Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth. This brief was written as part of the Youth Demonstration Development project, supported by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
getR.E.A.L
The getR.E.A.L (Recognize. Engage. Affirm. Love) initiative of the Center for the Study of Social Policy is designed to help transform child welfare policy and practice to promote the healthy development of all children and youth. It focuses on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (along with race, ethnicity, and disability) as part of the identity formation that occurs in adolescence. The getR.E.A.L name was crafted as a challenge to public systems working with children. It also provides lessons, implications, and a process for parents, caregivers, and all system-involved youth. The acronym is directed at all these stakeholders—and many others—as a means of meeting the initiative’s primary goal to improve the healthy sexual and identity development of all children and youth in child welfare systems.
Housing Discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Individuals and Families
This website of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development maintains a list of states that enumerate sexual orientation and gender identity in their state fair housing laws. It also provides information and resources to report housing discrimination.
