Organizers announce all are welcome
CINCINNATI, OH – July 11, 2014 – All interested participants are invited to attend an open community forum to learn more about LGBTQ youth homelessness in Hamilton County and what is being done to prevent it on Tuesday, July 22, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Mayerson Academy Center, 2650 Highland Ave. Lighthouse Youth Services and Strategies to End Homelessness are organizing the forum.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) youth are dramatically overrepresented in the homeless youth population, yet there are far too few systems and services designed to meet their needs. Community forum organizers are committed to making sure all LGBTQ youth in Hamilton County are safe and supported.
The community forum will feature background and discussion on the issue, an update on the Safe and Supported Initiative to End LGBTQ Youth Homelessness and original songs and spoken word from the Diverse City Youth Chorus.
Youth, parents, educators and school personnel, funders, community members, youth workers and others are all welcome. Youth participants (up to age 24) will receive a meal, a stipend and bus passes for attending. Parking is available in the lot and is accessible via Metro bus.
For more information, contact Meredith Hicks mhicks@lys.org or 513-487-7145. RSVP is requested by July 20 by email to Zachary Grady at zgrady@lys.org.
Safe and Supported Initiative Partners include:
Cincinnati Mayor’s Office
Cincinnati Police Department
Cincinnati Public Schools
Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network
Hamilton County Job and Family Services
Heartland Trans* Wellness Group
Human Rights Campaign
YWCA of Greater Cincinnati
Lighthouse Youth Services
Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region
Strategies to End Homelessness
The Partnership Center
Caracole
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition
True Colors Fund
Lighthouse Youth Advisory Council
