The LGBT Life Center in Norfolk is one of fourteen organizations chosen to receive a donation of homelessness kits from POSE, the hit FX show, and True Colors United, a nonprofit organization that addresses the issue of youth homelessness in the United States.
Homelessness affects 4.2 million youth annually. LGBTQ youth are 120 percent more likely to wander the streets than their straight peers, according to data from True Colors United.
“When it comes to homelessness, LGBTQ youth are overrepresented and underserved. We’re proud to partner with FX Networks and Pose to put self-care kits into the hands of young people across the country,” said Gregory Lewis, executive director of True Colors Fund, in a press release. “The organizations we’re sending these to provide essential services to LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness and make an incredible impact in their communities. United, we can create a world where every young person, wherever they live, is celebrated for being their authentic self.”
LGBT Life Center will distribute these kits to those in need in our community and also provides housing services including an LGBT youth rapid re-housing program (for those suddenly experiencing homelessness) and a permanent housing program that provides move-in kits to help those transitioning into housing.
The 14 beneficiary organizations are: Housing Works (NYC), Hetrick-Martin Institute (NYC), Exponents (NYC), HEAT (NYC), Destination Tomorrow (NYC), Reach (LA), NAESM (Atlanta), Abounding Prosperity (Dallas), Us Helping Us (Washington), APEB (Oakland, California), Posse Project at CHOP (Philadelphia), LGBT Life Center of Hampton Roads (Norfolk, Virginia), Howard Brown Health (Chicago) and Department of Pediatrics: Adolescent Medicine at Tulane School of Medicine (New Orleans).
FX’s collaboration stems from the drama series “Pose.” LGBT youth homelessness is a storyline in “Pose’s” second season. Brands Icelandic Glacial Water, KIND Snacks, Milk Makeup, Native Deodorant, Vital Proteins and Candywirez donated to the kits.
“Pose has fearlessly shined a light on issues facing the LGBTQ community and we couldn’t think of a better way to mark the return of the series, than to bring support to those affected. Our hope is that this program will bring awareness to these amazing organizations and the incredible work they do,” said Kenya Hardaway, senior vice president of integrated promotions at FX Networks, in a press release.
