These homeless teens did not lose their homes due to cutbacks, lay-offs, or
an unfortunate turn in the market; they are homeless because of their
sexuality. Their parents turn violent or become terribly distant at the news
of their child's sexuality, forcing many of these children (some as young as
11) to live on the streets and care for themselves. While a number of them
live in shelters or transitional housing, too many of them turn to drugs and
prostitution as a means to ensure survival.
Homeless GLBT youth are more likely to use drugs, participate in sex work,
and attempt suicide. These same youth face homophobia, violence and
brutality on the streets and in the youth shelter systems and are at higher
risk of HIV infection and drug addiction. Sixty-nine percent (69%) of these
youth reported experiencing some form of harassment or violence against
them and disclosed that they are threatened, belittled and abused by staff
as well as other residents.
The L.O.V.E. Coalition wants to change this practice by offering a wholesome
environment with caring and highly educated professional staff members
that will provide life development skills, job assistance and group therapeutic
sessions. With your time, effort, and monetary contribution, we can
together make this dream a reality for thousands of Atlanta area youth. I
look forward to working with you, and hope that you can help us achieve our
goals.
an unfortunate turn in the market; they are homeless because of their
sexuality. Their parents turn violent or become terribly distant at the news
of their child's sexuality, forcing many of these children (some as young as
11) to live on the streets and care for themselves. While a number of them
live in shelters or transitional housing, too many of them turn to drugs and
prostitution as a means to ensure survival.
Homeless GLBT youth are more likely to use drugs, participate in sex work,
and attempt suicide. These same youth face homophobia, violence and
brutality on the streets and in the youth shelter systems and are at higher
risk of HIV infection and drug addiction. Sixty-nine percent (69%) of these
youth reported experiencing some form of harassment or violence against
them and disclosed that they are threatened, belittled and abused by staff
as well as other residents.
The L.O.V.E. Coalition wants to change this practice by offering a wholesome
environment with caring and highly educated professional staff members
that will provide life development skills, job assistance and group therapeutic
sessions. With your time, effort, and monetary contribution, we can
together make this dream a reality for thousands of Atlanta area youth. I
look forward to working with you, and hope that you can help us achieve our
goals.
Sincerely,
Stephon Collins
CEO\ Executive Director, L.O.V.E. Coalition
Atlanta Councilman Jim Maddox
presents a Proclamation Award
to the L.O.V. E Coalition's CEO
Stephon Collins, with Council-
woman Mary Norwood standing
next to him.
presents a Proclamation Award
to the L.O.V. E Coalition's CEO
Stephon Collins, with Council-
woman Mary Norwood standing
next to him.
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Homelessness is an issue that is often swept under the rug. Currently,
even those with homes struggle to maintain them. The stress of daily
living leaves little time to break and care for those whose fortune has
already run dry. Some of us hand out dollars in passing; others sigh with
frustration at the homeless who crowd our streets. However, few can
process the thought of a homeless teen, which looks like every other
young person at first glance because they may be well groomed, well
mannered and energetic. The teens can appear to have a destination -
which they often do - but it is not to a home. Surprisingly enough, many
of these homeless teens are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or trans-gender.
According to The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, in collaboration
with the National Coalition for the Homeless, 42% of the estimated 1.6
million homeless American youth are G.L.B.T., with a disproportionate
number identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or trans-gender.
even those with homes struggle to maintain them. The stress of daily
living leaves little time to break and care for those whose fortune has
already run dry. Some of us hand out dollars in passing; others sigh with
frustration at the homeless who crowd our streets. However, few can
process the thought of a homeless teen, which looks like every other
young person at first glance because they may be well groomed, well
mannered and energetic. The teens can appear to have a destination -
which they often do - but it is not to a home. Surprisingly enough, many
of these homeless teens are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or trans-gender.
According to The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, in collaboration
with the National Coalition for the Homeless, 42% of the estimated 1.6
million homeless American youth are G.L.B.T., with a disproportionate
number identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or trans-gender.
Please click here for information on how you can help or to make a donation.
L.O.V.E. COALITION (LIFTING OUR VOICES FOR EQUALITY, INC.)
