Don't turn away. The Initiative began with two pilot communities that developed local, community-wide prevention plans, which they started implementing in Fall 2014. sleeping allowing for 800 guests at a time to have a safe place to go and SNAPS In Focus: Equal Access for Transgender People. Because LGBTQ Americans living in poverty often experience unacceptable homophobia and transphobia, many become homeless. Homeless man Timothy Bartley sits on his wheelchair in front of the Salvation Army in Las Vegas, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021. Topics include gender identity and ID document mismatches, harassment inside projects, and privacy concerns, among others. Downtown Las Vegas business owners have been a huge driving force behind this ban. Search this website. When a transgender person seeks help from us, we serve them in the same manner as any other person seeking assistance. Many face disproportionate job and housing insecurity due to discrimination. Welcoming young people who identify as LGBTQ+ to our programs has been a part of who we are since our founding in 1972. The foundation and the Center formalized their relationship with a Memorandum of Understanding, coordinated by Macfarlane, The Centers Trans and Gender Diversity Program manager. This report provides information on discrimination in every major area of life including housing, employment, health and health care, education, public accommodation, family life, criminal justice and government identity documents. Serving people in LGBTQIA+ community and their allies experiencing homelessness. Bright Star also assists with emergency help for youth without homes and coordinates with other homeless youth or LGBTQIA organizations, such as The Center, Shannon West and Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth. To find help in your area, use the Locationssearch feature at salvationarmyusa.org. Courtyard Homeless Resource Center This rule builds upon HUDs February 2012 final rule entitled Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs Regardless of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity (2012 Equal Access Rule), which aimed to ensure that HUDs housing programs would be open to all eligible individuals and families regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status. The Salvation Army created a dorm in Las Vegas to offer safety and shelter to this group, which is statistically more vulnerable to assault. Host Homes is meant to help the roughly 4,000 unhoused LGBTQ+ youth in L.A. who are living on the streets. Resource Engagement), team can be reached at Syncere Harris has stayed at the safety dorm. In the shelter system, about 20% identify as LGBTQ2S. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Through the As Gary Costa with Golden Rainbow described Amanda, she makes things happen. She secured affordable housing in the first Maison and has since become the buildings unofficial den mother. Bright Star Foundation owns and operates two four-plexes in an area near the Boulevard Mall, just off Maryland Parkway. Between 20 and 40 percent of all homeless youth identify as members of the LGBTQ community, and for them, homelessness or the threat of homelessness frequently forces youth into survival behaviors that jeopardize their wellbeing and safety. They share in the same opportunities for entertainment, self-improvement, worship, exercise, group counseling, field trips, creative workshops, and all other activities. The purpose of this national research agenda on LGBTQ+ youth homelessness is to center the voices and experiences of those most impacted by LGBTQ youth homelessness and to provide a guide for researchers investigating solutions to address the disparities faced by LGBTQ youth, particularly LGBTQ youth of color. With love. Share these facts with your friends and Most LGBTQ+ young people access services from non-LGBTQ-specific agencies, according to True Colors United and The Williams Institute. A third building may be in the works. Youth who make their way to a Covenant House program do so bearing complex histories of trauma, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and violence in the home or on the streets. Select the appropriate program CoC: Continuum of Care, ESG: Emergency Solutions Grants, or HOPWA: Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS and enter "Equal Access Rule" for the subject. Up to 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ, while the general youth population is only 10% LGBTQ. LGBTQ youth contemplate suicide at almost three times the rate of heterosexual youth. If they are rejected by their families, they are often left with nowhere else to go and end up in the street, which can be profoundly dangerous. Editors note and disclosure:Rob Schlegel, publisher of theLas Vegas Spectrum, serves on the Bright Star board of directors as treasurer. One family with two young children had been living in their car and monthly studio motels for over three years, unable to save enough for a deposit. Margaret Elisabeth, a member of the Covenant House Alumni Community, arrived at Covenant House Texas in the 1980s. Locations include: libraries, YMCAs fire stations, public buses, various businesses, and social service facilities. Our LGBTQ-friendly programs provide housing, food, counseling, community, and employment as we work to treat the symptoms, and ultimately the root causes, of prolonged alcohol and drug dependence. All people who come to us for services are offered assistance according to their need and our capacity to help. Surviving the Streets of New York: Experiences of LGBTQ Youth, YMSM, and YWSW Engaged in Survival Sex. The goal was to learn about street youths needs from their perspective, to better understand which services youth find helpful or not helpful, and to identify alternative services they feel could be useful to them. The Salvation Armys mission statement is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. Walk-in business hours: Monday - Friday 6:30 am - 4:00 pm Veterans Administration Community Resource and Referral Center at VA Northeast Primary Care Clinic 4461 East Charleston Boulevard Las Vegas, NV 89104 (702) 791-9077 (Ask for "homeless programs") Hotlines & Crisis Lines Child Abuse Hotline (702) 399-0081 Crisis Call Center Resources and assistance to support HUD's community partners. This is the reality for LGBTQ+ youth across the six countries where Covenant House works: the United States, Canada, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. The law covers housing . These buildings are the beginnings of LGBTQIA housing for Nevada, but the need is not nearly addressed. And see what are the differences here, why is itthat youth are homeless at higher rates in the queer community and what are the barriers to services and how can we improve those.. Family participation is encouraged. Despite progress toward hiring equality, LGBTQ+ Americans often lack access to educational resources, counseling services, and vocational training to help them obtain well-paying jobs. The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to providing a respectful environment for all applicants and employees that is free from unlawful discrimination or harassment based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by law. Beyond 4 Walls and a Roof: Addressing Homelessness Among Transgender Youth. accessed services at the courtyard. There is an equally serious homelessness issue in the trans community and Bright Star also is working to help alleviate part of that problem. Your donation could mean rental and utilities assistance.Donate now. LGBTQ+ Support We serve the most vulnerable regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 18,874 were here. Raffin, a naturalized citizen born in France, and a Vietnam vet met Jon R. Gathercole as a flower child in the streets of 1960s-era San Francisco. Homeless LGBTQ youth are more likely than their straight counterparts to engage in survival sex (the exchange of sexual favors for basic needs, like food, clothing, and shelter), with a Canadian study finding that transgender youth are 3 times more likely to engage in survival sex than cisgendered youth. While a transient community at every income. Bartley . Bright Star works with residents to overcome barriers to housing such as lack of identification, finding enough money for security deposits or for first and last months rent, or the ability to prove double or triple income. Our services are equally available to anyone, and our commitment to provide service without discrimination is an extension of the love of God, who tells us in John 15:12, This is my commandment: that you love one another as I have loved you.. Research results, executive summaries, and infographics have been provided here to help guide service provision for this vulnerable population. The recommendations are intended to inform replication of similar LGBTQ youth homelessness prevention planning in communities nationwide. Street Outreach Program Data Collection Project Executive Summary. We strive to deliver a holistic program encompassing educational and pragmatic resources that enable our youth to flourish in life. the city opened an expansion of the courtyard. Las Vegas is in Clark County, NV. There are several projects across the country that target services and resources to LGBT individuals. One of his paintings done while living in Wyoming was selected by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to represent the state in a national exhibition in Washington D.C. Jon and Claude continued their social activism in the Santa Barbara gay community and were early volunteers for AIDS CAP (Counseling and Assistance Program) becoming care buddies for people living with AIDS. Help them access the resources they need to thrive. This tool is for agencies internal use only. Equal Access for Transgender People: Supporting Inclusive Housing and Shelters. Donations can be made online atbrightstargives.orgby using the Contact-Donate drop downmenu., Bright Star Foundation opens LGBTQ housing. But we serve and love everyone. 1501 Las Vegas Blvd North, Las Vegas, NV 89101 702.385.2662 Search. YOUTH CENTER. Four out of ten homeless youth identify as LGBTQ. In Washington D.C. alone, 43% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ. The findings illustrate that, while challenging, community-wide planning to address LGBTQ youth homelessness is possible with buy-in, resources, and a collective willingness to invest time in a planning process. The program provides emergency shelter, crisis stabilization, and short-term housing options to young people in the Greater Washington region. A Human Rights Watch report issued in 2020 describes how LGBTQ+ young people face a complex web of violence and discrimination that threatens their physical safety, limits their life choices, may lead them to leave home, drop out of school, or, in some cases, to flee their country. Emergency Lodge Night Shelter There are currently 4 domestic violence and abuse shelters and programs in Las Vegas, NV with 2 offering a hotline and 3 offering emergency shelter. These entities partnered due to their longstanding commitments to social justice, including efforts to improve outcomes for LGBTQ youth and runaway and homeless youth. Our unique programs help individuals cultivate vital life skills needed for successful and stable careers. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. The Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center (RHYTTAC) is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration on Children and Families (ACF), and the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) as the training and technical assistance provider for all Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) grantees. . We couldnt be more grateful to Bright Star, he said, for providing safe housing for our community youth.. A living room and entry in one of the apartments. We also need to raise funds to pay off the renovation costs and acquire more housing to help more people, and to connect with grants to support the work being done.. Jon became adopted by Claudes family and Claude says he became more French than me!. Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up! With hope. Shelter staff need to be trained on how to be an ally to LGBT individuals and written policies must be put in place to keep discrimination from occurring. . Courtyard is open seven days a week 24 hours a day. services building, a day room, and shower and restroom facilities. A little bit of solace to be able to stay in a separate place where at least you can sleep through the night, knowing that youre in an inclusive space, they said. broken. Jon immediately stripped down and assisted the young man in the shower to help him enjoy his last wish. 26% of homeless LGBTQ youth report being forced out of their homes solely because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Our unique programs help LGBTQ+ individuals cultivate vital life skills needed for successful and stable careers. The Salvation Army is one of the largest if not the largest non-governmental providers of services to the LGBTQ+ community. Information. Almost one-third of homeless transgender people have been rejected from an emergency shelter. followers to educate and inspire change. Our hearts, services, and facilities are open to all. Abuse or harassment from other shelter residents or staff. The pair established a successful real estate agency in Santa Barbara, eventually making investments in San Diego, Texas, Utah, Arizona and Las Vegas. Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) community are more likely to become homeless, and once homeless, more likely to endure discrimination and harassment that extends their homelessness. They face difficulty in trying to find support services, especially since they may be harassed in shelters by peers or staff and therefore feel uncomfortable and unsafe seeking help. A main goal of this study is to describe and quantify these youths experiences and characteristics to gain a better understanding of their engagement in survival sex and how the support networks and systems in their lives have both helped them and let them down. services through a variety partners, the cycle of homelessness can be Ultimately, MacFarlane would like to see someone from the LGBTQ community be the staff monitor for the shelter. Its estimated that 25-40% of all young people facing homelessness in Canada identify as LGBTQ2S. In every ZIP code of America, services are offered without discrimination.. For the times, it was a kindness, as he could have been dishonorably discharged and lost all of his service honors and benefits. Experiences like this turn what is supposed to be a safe haven into a dangerous place. We serve the most vulnerable regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The study concludes by suggesting issues for policymakers and practitioners to consider related to collecting data on, and serving, this population. Now they have a place where their children can play in a yard, and sleep in their own bedroom. The link will be active for 7days. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. Expanding ID Card Access for LGBT Homeless Youth. Our mission is to the preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human need in His name without discrimination. Your donation could mean rental and utilities assistance. A Renaissance man, the young Gathercole excelled at handcrafts, sewing, painting, carpentry and design. Its message is based on the Bible. Harris said at other shelters some women have asked him to leave because they view him as "too masculine.". In addition, some transgender individuals have even been turned away from shelters solely due to their gender identity, or have been subjected to verbal, physical, and sexual abuse when forced to stay with members of the sex they were assigned at birth (especially in the case of transgender women). Those interested also may also work with case managers for additional services and referrals. Jon had moved to the city at age 17 to escape rural Oklahoma and was quickly adopted by two gay dads who became his parents of choice. 35 W Owens Ave # 103, North Las Vegas, NV 89030. Crossroads' Las Vegas Rehab is the top choice for drug addiction treatment in the Southern Nevada, offering the best substance abuse detox and residential drug & alcohol rehab for men & women across Nevada. Address: 1 West Owens Ave North Las Vegas NV 89030. Were motivated by the love of God to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. Find award and allocation amounts for grantees by year, program, and state. Yes. Safe Place is a national youth outreach and prevention program for young people in need of immediate help and safety. administration building, pet kennel and parking lot. In addition, the expansion includes a guest The Center has hosted many LGBTQIA job fairs and over the last year-and-a-half, has worked to collect LGBTQIA inclusive job listings, help with resumes and other job support, through a grant from Bank of America. We provide the same benefits to opposite-sex and same-sex couples. LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness are at particular risk. H omelessness is a perennial crisis in southern Nevada, with at least 6,500 people camped on streets or in storm drains, many of them battling addiction. Find Support She was active in the trans community and worked to bring a non-discrimination ordinance before the city council, which failed 5 to 2 when the mayor and the head of the council said, I dont got the bandwidth for this.. Does The Salvation Army serve anyone in need? We should encourage federal, state, and local agencies to ensure that LGBTQ youth are placed in supportive foster homes. And, while LGBTQ+ youth make up only 7% of the total U.S. youth population, they comprise an astounding 40% of all young people experiencing homelessness in the country, according to one estimate. Our hiring practices are open to all. Youth like Rubi, who experienced family rejection and found community and opportunity at Covenant House New Orleans. Despite progress toward hiring equality, LGBTQ Americans often lack access to educational resources, counseling services, and vocational training to help them obtain well-paying jobs. As one of the nation's largest providers of social services, we understand the importance of helping people maintain their dignity when looking for nutritious food by providing options. How has The Salvation Army committed itself to diversity in its hiring and promotion practices? We do not directly provide aid ourselves, but provide local resources for you to find. Bright Star Foundation began working more closely with the Las Vegas LGBTQ Center (The Center) in 2018. Read how The Salvation Armys Young Adult Resource Center (YARC) in Houston collaborates (and shares a roof) with Tonys Place, a center for LGBTQ+ youth who do not have stable housing. In the same study, by WIlliams Institute School of Law at UCLA, it was found that 20% of those in the LGBTQ community experienced homelessness before the age of 18. 702.701.5347 Day Resource Center Now open every day from 8 AM - 4 PM. Las Vegas has one of the highest rates of unaccompanied and unsheltered youth in the country and 40 percent of homeless youth identify as LGBTQIA. The collaboration helped connect Bright Star resources and youth in need who sought help at The Center. Donate Clothing, Furniture & Household Items. This includes a covered The highest legislative priority should be to reauthorize the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act and include LGBTQ specific provisions. National LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness Research Agenda. The documents have not been reviewed by HUD or its contractors for applicability, legality, or compliance with federal statutory and regulatory guidelines. Such equal opportunity for employment will apply to recruitment and hiring, training, promotion, salaries and other compensation, transfers and layoffs or termination. Get Involved If you are interested in volunteering, contact us at streetteenslv@gmail.com. Residents are expected to be self-supporting and to pay rent of $400 to $500 per resident. Bright Star Foundation's purpose shall be to prevent and alleviate homelessness in the LGBTQIA+ community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, allies and others whose gender and sexual orientation make them vulnerable to discrimination). Office Phone: 1-702-385-0072. So, I turned to the safety dorm for a safe place to stay at, he said. Job listings can be shared to Facebook.com/groups/. The Salvation Army supports the Christian conviction that all people are made in the image of God and are equal in value. As the Nation's housing agency, HUD administers programs designed to meet the goal of ensuring decent housing and a suitable living environment for all. Donations can be dropped off at 5599 S Pecos Road Las Vegas, NV 89120 between the hours of 2pm and 6pm or by appointment. And because a majority of homeless LGBTQ+ people are under 18, we take special care of that vulnerable community. A growing body of academic and policy-based research is focused on understanding the intersections between LGBTQ status and experiences of homelessness, particularly for unaccompanied youth. All young people facing homelessness are welcome here and are embraced with unconditional love, absolute respect, and relentless support. Residents are assisted in finding and navigating housing and assistance resources. Too often, LGBTQ Americans experience unacceptable homophobia or transphobia when seeking shelter. Studies show that 12% to 36% of emancipated foster care youth will report being homeless at least once after discharge from care. This document reports the planning phase-related findings and recommendations of HUDs LGBTQ Youth Homelessness Prevention Initiative (initiative). The Salvation Army seeks to be a welcome, safe place for all people. He said they all look out for each other. . HUD is providing a notice that projects can use to notify clients and residents of the new Equal Access rule requirements. No. Drawing on site visit interviews as well as reviews of agency documents and forms, this report presents findings on four topics: (1) agencies collection and use of data on clients sexual orientation and gender identity, (2) providers assessment and perceptions of needs and capacities among LGBTQ runaway and homeless youth (RHY), (3) providers approaches to serving LGBTQ RHY, and (4) providers perceptions of research gaps and data needs related to services for LGBTQ RHY. young people who identify as LGBTQ+ in Honduras and Guatemala, in Central Americas Northern Triangle, face some of the worst discrimination, marginalization, and violence at the hands of family, peers, security forces, and gang members. If you do not receive an email check your spam or junk mail folder. 938 The Alameda San Jose, CA 95126 Phone: 408-293-3040 Intake Line: 408-343-7940 Email: youthprog@defrank.org SPECTRUM www.spectrumlgbtcenter.org MacFarlane said Nevada needs to do more to provide affordable housing and transitional housing for everyone. No exceptions. The Salvation Army is committed to serving the LGBTQ community through Shelter Almost one-third of transgender people have been rejected from an emergency shelter. In addition, almost one-third of transgender people have been rejected from an emergency shelter. He designed and handsewed a huge closet of costumes and gowns. Since the main cause of LGBTQ youth homelessness is family rejection, efforts and campaigns can be undertaken to either prevent youth from being thrown out of the home if they are at risk of homelessness, or to reunify families and open the minds of parents whose children are already homeless. How does The Salvation Army respond to allegations of discrimination? If you do not receive an email check your spam or junk mail folder. LGBTQ+ youth contemplate suicide at almost three times the rate of heterosexual youth. Jon loved doing drag and was a passionate entertainer. It is hurtful in a way," he said,"Its kind of frustrating because people of closed minds are very judgmental.. Salvation Army's homeless shelter in downtown Las Vegas offers a separate dorm for transgender people. Any person who walks through our doors will receive assistance based on their need and our capacity to help. In providing its programs and services, The Salvation Army is committed to accommodating all those in need without unlawful discrimination or harassment based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic in accordance with our capacity to help. Does The Salvation Army consider the sexual orientation or gender identity of an applicant in its hiring practices? This second edition of At the Intersections reveals what has changed in recent years regarding our understanding of LGBTQ youth homelessness, and how to use that information to make youth homelessness a rare, brief, and one-time experience. Schools should be a safe haven for all youth, including LGBTQ youth. Explore collections of guided learning opportunities on a variety of topics. The handsome young couple moved to Santa Barbara where they discovered their life vocation in real estate. Raffin was scheduled for promotion to the rank of colonel, but when the Army discovered that he was living with Jon, his general in command strongly recommended that he retire from the armed services. The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to providing a respectful environment for all applicants and employees that is free from unlawful discrimination or harassment based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by law. This research is a great resource to increase knowledge about homelessness in the LGBTQ community and can aid practitioners as they work to design culturally appropriate interventions. LGBTIQ+ people comprise an estimated 20-40% of homeless populations, whilst only comprising 5-10% of the wider population [5,6]. Then go to your email and click the validation link. Research suggests that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, or LGBT, youth are significantly overrepresented among young people experiencing homelessness. At Covenant House, were proud of the diversity of the youth in our houses and the staff who welcome and serve them. The LGBTQIA+ Center serves as a haven for all. The Salvation Army USA Central Territory This document summarizes the lessons learned and recommendations of the HUD's LGBTQ Youth Homelessness Prevention Initiative ("initiative"). Use tab to navigate through the menu items. 5550 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60192 | 1-800-SAL-ARMY | Privacy Policy | The Salvation Army Central Territory, Lost Vegas -The Salvation Army Provides Hope without Discrimination, The Salvation Army Embraces All Employees without Discrimination, The Salvation Army Serves Without Discrimination, San Francisco:Kellen | Facing Your Fears, Salvation Army Insists It's on Our Side -Really, Transgender homeless finding more options in Las Vegas (Las Vegas Review-Journal), Columbus Dispatch article on The Salvation Army and the LGBT Community, In the Spirit: Gay Man Recalls Kindness Shown by Salvation Army (Wisconsin State Journal), Setting the record straight on the Salvation Army (San Diego Gay & Lesbian News), The Salvation Army's Response to Australian Radio Interview, San Francisco: Why The Salvation Army has a presence at Pride events. or They said, "At Covenant House, I found the first person to take an interest in my life. Thinking of what they could do to help other youths avoid this horrible situation, in 2015, Claude and Jon co-founded the Bright Star Foundation to assist LGBTQIA youth without homes in the several of the Western states of the U.S. Jon became stricken with lung cancer in 2018 and he died just months after his diagnosis at age 70. He said he became homeless about a year ago. These trauma-informed services were created with the goal of positive youth development and are culturally appropriate and specific to LGBTQ+ youth. In 2021, Covenant House approved a new youth inclusion policy to guide the protection of LBGTQ+ youth at our sites and safeguard their rights. They said Nevada has one of the highest rates of homeless youth and one of the lowest rates of sheltering thoseyouth. The National LGBTQ task force found that the main reason for engaging in survival sex was simply to have a bed to sleep in each night LGBTQ youth, once they are homeless, are at higher risk for victimization, mental health problems, and unsafe sexual practices. In the past, Bright Star also helped to provide an LGBTQIA safety dorm at the Salvation Army, to provide a safer place for those in fear of experiencing homo/transphobia at the hands of other patrons.