Much has happened since Cyndi testified in front of Congress. Here’s a recap.
Since our founding in 2008, the True Colors Fund has tirelessly advocated for programs and funding that improve the lives of runaway and homeless youth in America. Our primary federal legislative priority has been passing the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act (RHYTPA) with a nondiscrimination clause that bars discrimination based on a young person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
In 2015, our co-founder Cyndi Lauper testified before the Senate Sub-Appropriations Committee on Transportation and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to push for this vital funding. Watch her full testimony above.
After testifying, Cyndi and the True Colors Fund partnered with the White House and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness in 2015 and 2016 to convene hundreds of the nation’s leaders on youth homelessness for a policy briefing on youth homelessness. These leaders included service providers, researchers, advocates, federal agencies, and – most importantly – youth themselves.
Since Cyndi’s testimony in 2015, we’ve helped secure $167.5 million from Congress for the Federal Government to invest in 46 communities across the country. This money is being invested by HUD in up to 46 communities as part of the game-changing Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project. Our National Youth Forum on Homelessness is taking a leadership role in helping these communities identify ways to end youth homelessness – and making sure that these solutions are inclusive of all youth.
With your support, we can make sure that young people continue to have a seat at the table on all state and federal advocacy efforts.