learning from the field: serving lgbtqi2-s youth experiencing homelessness laura hughes, bonnie...
TRANSCRIPT
LEARNING FROM THE FIELD: SERVING LGBTQI2-S YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
Laura Hughes, Bonnie Wade, & Wayne Centrone
Webcast Schedule
• Introductions• The Issue• HRC Listening Tour• Spotlight Programs• Creative Solutions: Detroit and Chicago• Q&A: Consumers, Panelists, and Audience
Every year, an estimated 575,000 to 1.6 million unaccompanied youth between ages 12 to 17 experience homelessness in the United States.
The Issues
• As many as 40% of youth who experience homelessness identify as LGBTQI2-S.
• Between 240,000 and 400,000 LGBTQI2-S youth experience at least one episode of homelessness each year.
• This population experiences greater physical and sexual exploitation while homeless than their heterosexual peers.
• LGBTQ youth who are homeless are disproportionately African American and American Indian
Pathways into Homelessness
• LGBTQI2-S homeless youth experience family disorder, dysfunctional relationships, and rejection.
• Up to 10% of youth engaged in the foster care system identify as LGBTQI2-S.
• 25% of LGBTQI2-S homeless youth report being thrown out of their homes.
Families of Origin
• 75% have family members with severe alcohol and drug problems.
• 25% report family rejection as the primary cause of their homelessness.
• A study in four mid-western states showed that 39% of gay males left home due to conflict over their sexual orientation.
Life on the Streets
• Openness can lead to physical violence or being thrown out of one’s home.
• Experience 7.4 more acts of sexual violence during their lifetime than their heterosexual homeless peers.
• LBT females are more likely to exchange money for sex than GBT young men.
• More likely than heterosexual homeless youth to engage in the sex trade.
Other Documents
• Visit HRC’s Topic page “LGBTQI2-S Youth” for more resources
Listening Tour Objectives
• Objective 1: Review model programs serving the needs of LGBTQI2-S youth.
• Objective 2: Identify the promising practices of care delivery and supportive services that can be showcased as a model.
• Objective 3: Provide concrete steps for agencies to implement promising strategies in their programs.
Listening Tour Critical Findings
• Develop Trusting Relationships by Fostering a Strengths-Based Approach
• Develop Culturally Competent Staff• Empower Consumers• Design Responsive Services Interventions• Develop Community Partnerships• Expand Public Awareness
Ruth Ellis Center
• History• Geography & Demographics—City of
Detroit & Highland Park• Service Overview & Program Design
Ruth Ellis Center mission
• To provide short and long term residential safe space and support services for runaway, homeless, and at-risk lesbian, gay, bi-attractional, transgender, and questioning youth.
Second Stories
Ruth’s House
Ruth Ellis Center
Challenge: Permanence
Ruth Ellis Center
• Response: Youth Driven Spaces• Outcome: Meaningful Youth Engagement &
Empowerment• Examples include a youth advisory board,
house meetings, peer outreach and drop in center workers, and Out and Upfront Leadership Development & Advocacy Programming
• Response: Strength-Based Approach• Outcome: Provide a home-like setting• Examples include talent
development of staff, LGBTQ specific mental health services, and positive adult role models
Ruth Ellis Center
Ruth Ellis Center
• Response: Community Engagement• Outcome: Meaningful partnerships
and increased safe spaces for LGBTQ youth
• Examples include training for CPS workers, foster parents, mental health providers, and school based advocacy
UCAN
• History
• Agency Services
• Diversity Journey
UCAN circa 1926
UCAN circa 2010
LGBTQ Host Home Program: UCAN’s Mission
• To assist LGBTQ Youth who experience homelessness in the transition to interdependence by providing community-based host homes and support.
LGBTQ Host Home Program UCAN
• We begin work at the following intersections:
• Anti-oppression framework• Positive youth development• Trauma informed• Multi-generational
• Youth Empowerment• Interview• Matching Process• House Courtesies• Life Road Map
LGBTQ Host Home Program UCAN
• Multi-generational Approach• Advisory Council• Host Volunteer & Youth• Outreach• Training
LGBTQ Host Home Program UCAN
• Strategic Partnerships• Faith based organizations• Social justice organizations• Volunteers
LGBTQ Host Home Program UCAN
Create specific partnerships to serve specific sub-groups
• Challenge in Chicago: supporting unstably housed youth as they enter college
• Response: community leader offers housing• Outcome: UCAN and community leader developing specific
host home in 3-flat for unstably housed college students
LGBTQ Host Home Program UCAN
Final thoughts
• The messiness is the very work we signed up to do
• Celebrate mistakes • Each youth is on a journey that is
uniquely their own
Q & A
• Justine Hanson, HRC• Wayne Centrone, HRC• Laura Hughes, Ruth Ellis Center• Bonnie Wade, UCAN• Curtis, Ruth Ellis Center• Malaundja Gayles, UCAN
Contact US
• Please contact any of the presenters with questions about references, HRC resources, The Listening Tour, or program specifics:
• Wayne Centrone, Homelessness Resource Center, [email protected]
• Laura Hughes, Ruth Ellis Center, [email protected]
• Bonnie Wade, UCAN, Host Home Program, [email protected]