As emerging clinical social workers we found that it was imperial that we dedicated our research to identify the problematic issues with Homeless LGBTQIA youth, our research will educate as well as provide resources to the community in which we serve. 

 

Nikiia Lockridge

As a BIPOC, Cisgendered woman with seven years of social work experience, I have had the opportunity to work with and collaborate with many individuals of various backgrounds. I have years of experience working with marginalized communities and have witnessed the inequality and inequity within these communities.  

 In addition, having the opportunity to continue to further my education in the Silberman Masters program combined with my experience working with marginalized communities gives me the opportunity to expand my knowledge of such topics of LGBTQIA Homeless youth. I find that learning more about such topics is imperative to my education as an emerging clinician that will be working within my community of BIPOC individuals who may identify as LGBTQIA. Being able to understand their plight and having the opportunity to hold space for the youth is what I strive for. I hope that my website will bring awareness to the lack of resources for the marginalized population of LGBTQIA youth. 

 

Amanda Sepulveda 

As a Cisgender, Hispanic woman, growing up in the Suburbs of New York, I have witnessed all forms of discrimination and inequality within many different aspects of life. Throughout the years I have been able to study some of these inequalities in order to work on finding solutions, not only in communities like the one I grew up in but all communities. 

Currently, I am working on my 2nd year of my Master’s of Social Work, focusing predominantly on clinical work with Pre-Adolescents, Adolescents, and their families. Within this work, and throughout my own personal life, it is crucial to continue educating myself and others on the disparities faced within marginalized communities. The topic of Homeless LGBTQIA youth continues to be studied but has many gaps within these studies and within their experiences. My hope is that this website brings awareness and provides resources and knowledge to be utilized by all.

 

Sarah Medina

I have had the fortune to be able to pursue a master’s degree through the turbulence of the Covid-19 pandemic. Throughout my degree, I continued being a high school and middle school teacher as I had for the last 4 years. Pre-adolescents and adolescent youths are the demographics I feel most strongly and passionately about. Wanting to meld my passions for teaching youth and standing up proactively for their well-being – social work and social justice become a focus.  As a child of immigrants, and having siblings leave home pre-maturely the topic of Homeless Youth, LGBTQIA youth, and marginalized demographics struck me as an areas of concern and interest. I hope that throughout the website my background can help shed light and create space to help the homeless youth who need our support.