We train a set number of people in a set amount of time to become more intentional about LGBTQ inclusivity – all online!
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The True U curriculum is designed to provide individuals working with youth experiencing homelessness an opportunity to become more culturally aware and affirming of LGBT folks.
Partners of The Way Home are engaging with the True Colors Fund’s online cultural inclusivity training platform, True U, which provides an overview about LGBT youth homelessness and an introduction to concepts including pronouns, transgender youth, and oppression. The training courses provide tips for organizations around inclusive policies and procedures.
99% of service providers report working with LGBTQ youth.
We believe that everyone has a role to play in addressing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth homelessness, and that we are all always learning and improving. The True Colors Inclusion Assessment was developed with those beliefs in mind. Our Inclusion Assessment enables service providers to assess their current level of LGBTQ-inclusive and affirming practices from a strengths-based perspective. The tool has been reviewed by service providers and LGBTQ young people with lived experience of homelessness.
Source: Serving Our Youth
“If youth are saying something isn’t going as well as you thought, listen to it, let the seed plant, and go from there. Just because we are adults doesn’t mean we have all the answers.”
– Renee Trincanello, Associate Executive Director, Covenant House Florida
Inclusion requires buy-in at all levels of an organization.
The True Colors Inclusion Assessment is an eight-week process that focuses on strengthening programmatic and cultural aspects of the organization to better meet the needs of LGBTQ youth, creating a safer space for everyone. The process consists of three phases:
Phase 1
In the first phase of the assessment process, an organizational representative or committee uses the tool to assess the inclusivity of the organization’s policies, practices, physical space, and programs.
Phase 2
In the second phase, each employee completes an anonymous survey to assess their own individual practices, including their comfort and confidence levels in working with LGBTQ youth.
Phase 3
In the third and final phase of the Inclusion Assessment, young people who access services at the organization complete an anonymous survey to gauge their perceptions and experiences regarding LGBTQ inclusivity within the organization.
Following the completion of each phase, the True Colors Fund provides custom recommendations to guide the organization toward creating more inclusive and affirming programs, policies, and spaces. We offer technical assistance and support to organizations as they implement the recommendations.
“This is not complicated: we are called to love all homeless young people unconditionally and with absolute respect.”
– Kevin Ryan, Executive Director, Covenant House International
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The True Colors Fund is partnering with all Houston and Harris County homeless services organizations to increase LGBT inclusion.
The True Colors Fund is partnering with the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County to launch a community-wide lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) cultural inclusivity training challenge with all local homeless service providers. From July 6 – August 7, 2017, over 60 homeless service providers in Houston and Harris County will participate in the “True U Community Challenge.” The Challenge comes out of a partnership with The Way Home – the collaborative effort to prevent and end homelessness in Houston, Harris County, Fort Bend County and Montgomery County, Texas; and the True Colors Fund – which works nationally to end homelessness among LGBT youth. These trainings are being provided by the True Colors Fund’s free True U Online Training Platform.
What participants had to say:
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AIDS Foundation Houston
Alliance of Community Assistance Ministries
Ambassadors for Christ
AmeriGroup INS
AVENUE 360
Bay Area Turning Point
Career and Recovery
Catholic Charities
Change Happens!
City Reformation Inc.
Coalition for the Homeless
Covenant House
Ft. Bend Women's Center
Harmony House
Harris Center, former MHMRA
Harris County Community Services Department
Harris County Protective Services for Children and Adults- SafetyNet Project
Healthcare for the Homeless
HELP Houston- Corder Place Apts
Houston Area Women's Center
Houston Housing Authority
Humble Area Assistance Ministries
Memorial Assistance Ministries
Montrose Center
National Smart
Northwest Assistance Ministries
Santa Maria Hostel
SEARCH
SER-Jobs For Progress
Star of Hope
The Beacon
The Salvation Army
The Women's Home
Volunteers of America
Special thanks to the Frees Foundation, official sponsor of the Houston Community True U Challenge.