As the semester moves forward, projects start to pop up where we least want them to. However, when I was given the opportunity to conduct a collective social action as a project with three other students, I was rather filled with excitement. Many students dream of doing more for a cause they think is important, but this is not always acted upon due to heavy class schedules. To have this opportunity given to me is such an amazing opportunity, I am forever grateful.
To elaborate, my group has chosen to focus on the topic of sexualities for the action. We are focusing on the case of LGBT homelessness as our enemy for this project. As approximately 40% of the homeless youth population identifies as LGBT, this is a significant problem. Additionally, 99% of service providers for homeless youth reported working and being in contact with LGBT youth. This is a significant problem, which demands more attention in society today.
To get a better look, I researched some of the reasons these children found themselves without a safe place to live. The reasons ranged from being kicked out, running away, familial abuse, to things like poverty and aging out of the foster care system. There are many different situations that these kids come from, and we need more help to save them from the risks they fall into with being on the streets.
Back to what my group is doing to help bring attention to this. We will be hosting an event at the MSU rock on March 26th, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. There, we will be painting the rock as well as calling attention to many of the issues these homeless youth face, and what you can do to help. I will also be accepting donations to go directly to the True Colors Fund, which is dedicated to ending the epidemic of LGBT homelessness. My colleagues and I would greatly appreciate it if all who are interested or want to learn would come out and aid us in bringing this cause to center stage. After all, everyone deserves a safe place to sleep.
All statistics were collected from https://truecolorsfund.org/our-issue/
