On September 30, the True Colors Fund hosted the first ever Forty to None Summit, a national gathering to discuss and strategize ways to end lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth homelessness. The summit welcomed leading advocates, service providers, funders, government officials, and the youth themselves to share their unique expertise.
We’re at a pivotal moment in the effort to end youth homelessness. It’s been 40 years since the initial passing of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA), the only federal law that funds vital services for homeless youth, and the effort to reauthorize it is running strong. Last month, the bill to reauthorize RHYA cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee with bipartisan support – moving it forward to a full Senate vote. Next week, our co-founder Cyndi Lauper will be in Washington, D.C. to speak at the Family and Youth Services Bureau’s “Ending Youth Homelessness: A Call to Action,” where findings from a first-of-its-kind federal report on the issue will be released. The event will be webcast live on October 22 at 12pm ET.
People around the country are getting involved in the effort to end youth homelessness, and adding their voices to the many calling for change. Take action, and join the national conversation on Facebook and Twitter using #endyouthhomelessness!