There are an estimated 3,800 homeless youth in New York City. About 1,500 of them identity as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Government funding provides fewer than 200 shelter beds for all homeless children in the big apple. In The Life Media’s A Day in Our Shoes features a day in the life of a homeless teenager in New York City.
This past year, the State of New York slashed its budget for homeless youth services by 50%, despite the already inadequate funding for shelter space and services.
“I don’t know how anybody could say the State budget didn’t cut critical services when they’re cutting shelter beds for children sleeping on the street. What the hell is a safety net if it’s not a shelter bed for a child who’s sleeping on the street at night?” says Lewis A. Fidler, New York Council Member, 46th District.
To watch A Day in Our Shoes, click the play button to the right or go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXv1-fHd6Ug
For more on LGBT youth experiencing homelessness, check out In The Life’s episode, “Finding Home.” It takes a stark look at youth kicked out of their homes from New York to Illinois to California and speaks with Cyndi Lauper about her True Colors Residence, New York City’s first permanent, affordable housing for LGBT, at-risk youth:
For twenty years, In The Life Media has been a leading media organization for the LGBT movement. In The Life Media creates social and political change by examining issues critical to LGBT individuals and providing audiences with ways to advance equality within, and beyond, their communities. Find out more at www.ITLMedia.org
There are an estimated 3,800 homeless youth in New York City. About 1,500 of them identity as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Government funding provides fewer than 200 shelter beds for all homeless children in the big apple. In The Life Media’s A Day in Our Shoes features a day in the life of a homeless teenager in New York City.
