When we founded the True Colors Fund 10 years ago, it was to help amplify the voices and experiences of those who were either pushed to the margins or excluded altogether – particularly young people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ).
Over the past ten years, you’ve made it possible for us to:
- Train thousands of staff members from homelessness service providers on LGBTQ inclusion and equip over 1,000 service providers with the tools they need to offer safe and affirming care.
- Sharpen the advocacy skills of over a hundred young leaders and create opportunities for them to push the movement forward.
- Help 46 communities nationwide secure $167.5 million in annual funding from the Federal Government to prevent and end youth homelessness.
We’ve accomplished a lot together, but there’s still so much to do – and we can’t do it without your support.
It’s clear that your commitment to LGBTQ youth runs deep, so I wanted to share some unbelievable news with you. Weston Milliken, one of our most generous donors, has offered a matching gift challenge for the holidays. For all donations made up to $50,000, Weston will match your contribution. Are you up for it?
If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the past 10 years, it’s that youth homelessness is a community issue – because it’ll take all of us working together to end it. That’s why individual training is so important to ending homelessness. Over the past decade, you’ve made it possible for us to train thousands through projects like our True Colors Challenges – which educate service provider and shelter staff on LGBTQ inclusion. When service providers are welcoming and affirming toward LGBTQ folks, young people are better able to get the support they need. It can mean the difference between a young person getting support and staying out on their own.
It shouldn’t matter if you’re from Kansas or California… in the United States of America, everyone deserves a place to call home. That’s why this year we released the State Index on Youth Homelessness – a first-of-its-kind resource that evaluates all 50 states and the District of Columbia on their efforts to prevent and end youth homelessness. The State Index is already helping state policymakers, local leaders, and everyday advocates amp up their work to end youth homelessness. With your help, we can update the Index in 2019 to show which states are making progress and offer even more steps for improvement.
It takes courage to stand up for what you believe in. Thank you for being an advocate for this cause. Together, our efforts have played a key role in securing $167.5 million in new annual funding for the creation and expansion of the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project. This federal initiative will help up to 46 communities identify and implement strategies for ending youth homelessness. Since the very beginning, our National Youth Forum on Homelessness has been directly involved to make sure that each community meaningfully incorporates the insights of youth with lived experience of homelessness.
LGBTQ youth – especially those who’ve experienced homelessness – are the most resilient people I know. But no young person should ever be without a home, especially because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Together, we can create a world where all young people are safe, supported, and welcome. This holiday season, I’m calling on you to join this effort, and remember: any gift you make by December 31, 2018 – no matter the amount – will be doubled.
You don’t know how proud I am of everything the we’ve accomplished together over the past 10 years. The True Colors Fund won’t give up until our vision becomes a reality – and we need your help. Click here to make a gift today, and you will improve the lives of LGBTQ youth across the country and in your own community – for the next 10 years and beyond.
P.S. Don’t forget that all donations will be 100% matched this holiday season! Double your impact, and help make the world a better place for all young people.