“Over 2,200 student-age youths [in the area] are housing-insecure or homeless,” according to Lilian Ann Briggs, Executive Director of The Promise House Project.
Briggs founded the Promise House Project (PHP) as a collaborative effort to address the needs and issues of local LGBTQQIA and heterosexual homeless and runaway youths, ages 14-24, with a specific focus on the LGBTQ community at greatest risk.
To help improve the situation for these youths, PHP has created the Rockin OUT to raise money for upcoming initiatives.
Working toward a solution
PHP, functioning for a little over a year, has already begun raising money for a 24/7 drop-in center, to provide a safe place to talk, eat, and find clothing.
“It is projected to cost upwards of $300,000 for first-year operating expenses to make sure we are adequately staffed, safe, and secure,” Briggs stated.
“We have had youths at the table directing our work from day one. We need their input,” Briggs said.
To raise funds, PHP focuses on community events, including Youth Homelessness is a Drag— a top talent drag show— and Rockin’ OUT Youth Homelessness—a battle of the bands, to be held in September.
Lilian Ann Briggs, executive director of The Promise House Project.
Promoting Community Action
“In one year, we’ve raised $10,000 dollars. This number could have been higher, but there was a disconnect in the community; people didn’t understand why youth homelessness and housing insecurity is such a significant problem,” stated Briggs.
There are over 130 youth-serving agencies in Lucas County. However, Safety Net, for youths aged 10-17, is the only unaccompanied minor shelter in the county and has only 12 beds.
“If parents and the system fail a young person, we as a community can say it is unacceptable for a young person to be homeless and hungry,” Briggs said.
2nd Annual Youth Homelessness Is a Drag.
10pm-2am | Friday, July 29 | $3/21+ | $5/ages 18-20.
Bretz Nightclub | 2012 Adams St. | see the event on Facebook.
4pm-10pm on Friday, September 16,
Rockin OUT Youth Homelessness, a battle of the bands,
will be held in the Collingwood Arts Center Parking Lot.
For more information about the Promise House Project
or to donate or volunteer,
call 567-343-0972 or visit phptoledo.org.
