Temporary Dwellings: The Sukkah and Queer Youth Homelessness
Temporary Dwellings:
The Sukkah and Queer Youth Homelessness
Tuesday, October 14, 2014 | 7:00-8:30 pm
DCJCC (16th & Q) - Library
FREE - RSVP Requested, at page bottom (Space is limited)
PANEL:
- DC Councilmember Mary Cheh - Ward 3; author of LGBTQ Homeless Youth Reform Act
- Ruby Corado and Dana Ebert - Casa Ruby, Executive Director and Career Services Director
- Ken Pettigrew - Wanda Alston Foundation, Executive Director
- Brandynicole Brooks, LICSW - Connecting Rainbows Initiative, DC Child and Family Services Agency
Sukkah of the Signs (c)Matthew McDermott |
Sukkot commemorates the forty year period when the children of Israel wandered the desert, living in temporary dwellings, searching for a permanent home.
In our city today, LGBTQ youth make up 40% of homeless youth – putting them at significantly higher risk of becoming homeless than their straight peers. Our sukkah reminds us of that time when we also had no stable home, no solid roof overhead.
We’ll hear from speakers who will share with us personal stories, the ways our city has responded to this queer youth homeless epidemic, and what we can do to help ensure that today’s wandering children can find safe shelter.
DC’s LGBTQ Youth Homeless Reform Act, which passed earlier this year, is a major milestone and will provide resources to house more LGBTQ youth in the city and improve conditions for these youth. Still, there's more to be done to raise awareness and find permanent housing solutions. Our guests will help us understand how we create the security provided by stable walls and a solid roof for the queer homeless youth of our city.
Questions?
For more information, please contact GLOE director Halley Cohen at 202-777-3253 or halleyc@washingtondcjcc.org.