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Gay Chicago Youths Need Host Homes with UCAN
An innovative approach to moving Chicago’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth beyond life on the streets
A statewide study conducted by the University of Illinois at Chicago Survey Research Laboratory found there were 24,968 unaccompanied homeless youth up to age 21 in Illinois in 2004.
On any given night within Cook County alone there are nearly 2,000 homeless youth with nowhere safe to sleep at night.
A recent study from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force stated that as many as 20-42% of these youth on our streets self-identify as LGBTQ.
Let’s get right to the bottom line.
Chicago has 193 emergency and long term shelter spaces for youth. With shelter space limited and long waiting lists many homeless LGBTQ youth in Chicago will remain on the streets and out of care.
The truth is, emergency and long term shelters aren’t enough.
This is a situation that will take everyone working together to solve.
There is a way you can help –
become a part of the LGBTQ Host Home Program.
UCANs LGBTQ Host Home Program is an innovative housing model that provides an alternative to the shelter system for LGBTQ homeless youth. We rely on our Host Home Volunteers to step forward and open their home for a period of time to a youth ages 17 – 21. Both the youth and the adult volunteer go through a rigorous screening and training process facilitated and supported by trained social work professionals. The provision of safe housing in conjunction with on-going supportive services for the youth and volunteers will create the safety and stability necessary for the youth to focus on pursuing educational and vocational opportunities.
Help TRANSFORM the life of an LGBTQ Youth.
4 homes have been trained but MORE are needed
If you have an extra bedroom, please reach out to UCAN and help.
To learn more about becoming a part of the LGBTQ Host Home Program please contact Bonnie Wade,
Associate Director at (312) 738-5966 or wadeb @ ucanchicago.org.
Para comunicarse con alguien en Español, favor de llamar a Francisco Monzon al numero 708-201-3028.
