Affirming Environment as Foundation

Engages in advocacy at federal, state, and local levels to advance public policies that protect LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth experiencing homelessness, secure funding for services, and reform systems such as foster care that contribute to homelessness. Includes monitoring anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, highlighting its connection to youth homelessness, and promoting equitable solutions through initiatives like the State Index on Youth Homelessness.

Conducts and collaborates on original research to identify causes, disparities, and support needs among LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness, including studies showing they are 120% more likely to experience homelessness and identifying key needs such as housing, legal assistance, gender marker changes, and healthcare access. Research extends to prevention strategies and international contexts including Europe and Central Asia.

Co-develops and convenes national summits such as the HUD-approved Youth Action Summit, bringing together youth with lived experience of homelessness to exchange best practices, receive training, build power, and create national strategies to end youth homelessness.

Organizes #TrueColorsDay and other public campaigns such as the Safe Home Campaign in partnership with the United Nations Human Rights Office to mobilize advocacy, defend human rights, and inspire public involvement in ending homelessness among LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth.

Operates a regularly updated resource hub focused on racial justice and support for Black LGBTQ+ youth and provides affirming public messaging to uplift BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness, counter injustice, and combat the politicization of trans identity.

Offers free training, technical assistance, and resources to improve cultural competency and expand the capacity of service providers to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth experiencing homelessness. Supported over 70 communities through HUD’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project with training in LGBTQ+ and racial equity, project management, and youth collaboration.

Hosts a peer-to-peer Pride Month fundraising campaign concluding in a dance party, maintains the Bea Arthur Friend Society for legacy donors, and launched a FLINTA* Coalition to support fundraising and community-building for FLINTA* youth.

Offers on-site medical care, HIV testing and treatment, psychiatric services, therapy, and counseling for trauma recovery and mental health at the Drop-In Center and housing programs.

Organizes four annual events for clients—Spring Talent Show, Summer Prom, Fall Ball, and Winter Holiday Carnival—and partners with corporate volunteer groups for field trips and special events, including a life retreat using rock climbing in partnership with CRUX.

Provides a 24-hour Drop-In Center in Midtown Manhattan offering meals, medical care, mental health services, hygiene supplies, clothing, HIV testing, and support groups to over 2,000 LGBTQ+ and at-risk homeless youth annually. The center relocated in 2023 to expand space and accessibility.

Provides transitional housing for up to two years across multiple sites in Brooklyn and Manhattan, supporting 42 youth with housing, employment assistance, education support, and case management. In 2020, two-thirds of residents successfully transitioned to supportive housing and achieved educational or income goals.

Delivers job readiness training, employment and education assistance, and life skills workshops to homeless LGBTQ+ youth at the Drop-In Center and through transitional housing programs.

Operates a scattered-site emergency housing program with six sites and 66 beds in Queens, Brooklyn, and Central Harlem, offering temporary, staff-supervised housing for up to six months. The 2022 opening of a new 20-bed site in Central Harlem reduced waitlist placement time to 2–3 days.

Provides single room occupancy (SRO) housing and social services to low-income formerly homeless senior citizens.

Operates a housing project with social services for homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth.

Organizes creative writing and art workshops, recreational activities, college tours, camping, beach trips, barbecues, apple picking, holiday celebrations, and conference attendance to promote self-expression, healing, and community engagement among LGBTQ+ homeless youth.

Arranges volunteer tutoring for GED and SAT preparation and provides assistance with college applications and financial aid paperwork for LGBTQ+ homeless youth.

Offers onsite HIV and STI testing, peer support for HIV+ youth, prevention education, and free condoms and lubricant through a partnership with Project Stay, along with referrals for comprehensive health services.