The LGBT Sanctuary Palm Springs

SANCTUARY PALM SPRINGS IS A 501(C)3 NON-PROFIT AGENCY THAT WAS FOUNDED IN 2014 TO ADDRESS THE RESIDENTIAL, EMOTIONAL, VOCATIONAL, AND EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF LGBTQ TRANSITION-AGE FOSTER YOUTH AGES 18-21. ALL SANCTUARY RESIDENTS ARE ENROLLED IN CALIFORNIAS EXTENDED FOSTER CARE PROGRAM UNDER THE STATES FOSTERING CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS ACT (AB12). OUR FULLY LICENSED TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PLACEMENT PROGRAM FOR NON-MINOR DEPENDENTS (THPP-NMD) BEGAN WELCOMING RESIDENTS IN 2017. OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE SAFE, COMFORTABLE, SUPERVISED HOUSING FOR SELF-IDENTIFIED LGBTQ YOUTH TRANSITIONING OUT OF FOSTER CARE TO HELP THEM REACH THEIR GOALS OF INDEPENDENCE, SELF-SUFFICIENCY, HOUSING PERMANENCE, AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS.LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, AND QUESTIONING (LGBTQ) YOUTH ARE SIGNIFICANTLY OVERREPRESENTED IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM. STATISTICALLY, NEARLY 1 IN 5 OF AMERICAS 400,000 FOSTER YOUTH IDENTIFIES AS LGBTQ(1), YET THERE ARE FEW RESOURCES OR PROTECTIONS IN PLACE FOR THEM. THIS PUTS THEM AT HIGH RISK OF ABUSE, BULLYING, SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND TRAFFICKING, HOMELESSNESS, ADDICTION, AND INCARCERATION. 25-40% OF OUR NATIONS 1.5 MILLION HOMELESS YOUTH IDENTIFY AS LGBTQ, TWO-THIRDS OF WHOM HAVE BEEN IN FOSTER CARE(2). LESS THAN 3% OF FOSTER YOUTH COMPLETE COLLEGE(3). SANCTUARY PALM SPRINGS STAFF WORKS WITH OUR RESIDENTS TO REDUCE THESE RISKS AND TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE THE SELF-CONFIDENCE, SKILLS, AND ACCESS TO RESOURCES THEY WILL NEED AS THEY MAKE THEIR WAY IN THE WORLD. WE OFFER A BEAUTIFUL, NEWLY RENOVATED 6-BEDROOM HOME IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE ALL RESIDENTS HAVE THEIR OWN ROOM. THE HOUSE ALSO HAS A POOL, HOME GYM, AND GARDEN. PROGRAMS AND SERVICES INCLUDE 24-HOUR SUPPORTIVE STAFFING; INDIVIDUALIZED, ON-SITE CASE MANAGEMENT; COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL CARE THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH DESERT AIDS PROJECT (DAP); WEEKLY INDIVIDUAL THERAPY; HEALTH AND WELLNESS INITIATIVES; A COMMUNITY SPEAKERS BUREAU; AND LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION. DURING THEIR 1-3 YEARS IN THE PROGRAM, OUR RESIDENTS, WHO IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR EXTENDED FOSTER CARE ARE REQUIRED TO DEDICATE A MINIMUM OF 20 HOURS PER WEEK TO EMPLOYMENT, VOLUNTEERING, AND/OR EDUCATIONAL PURSUITS, DEVELOP THE LIFE SKILLS, RESILIENCY, AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS THEY WILL NEED TO TRANSITION FROM FOSTER CARE TO A HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND PRODUCTIVE ADULTHOOD. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SANCTUARY PALM SPRINGS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITEHTTPSWWWSANCTUARYPALMSPRIN... (1) Wilson, B., Cooper, K., Choi, S., Surveying LGBTQ Youth in Foster Care: Lessons from Los Angeles, The Williams Institute, November 2016. (2) Morton, M.H., Dworsky, A., & Samuels, G.M. (2017). Missed opportunities: Youth homelessness in America. National estimates. Chicago, IL: Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago. (3) Foster youth face a special set of challenges outside the classroom that have a serious impact on their academic performance, National Foster Youth Institute, 2011.