Friendship Place To Host Groundbreaking Symposium On LGBTQ Youth Homelessness

WASHINGTON, April 12, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Friendship Place will host "Young, LGBTQ, and Homeless," a symposium addressing the needs of this highly vulnerable population, on April 19 at 6 PM at George Washington University's Jack Morton Auditorium.

This year's discussion will center on the local and national challenges of homelessness among LGBTQ youth, and what organizations like Friendship Place are doing to ensure these individuals have a place to call home. The event is part of Friendship Place's Annual Education and Advocacy symposium series, held annually since 2005.

"The need is high," says Friendship Place President & CEO, Jean-Michel Giraud. "Nationally, up to 40 percent of homeless youth receiving agency services identify as LGBTQ, and like other young people living on the street, they are exposed to trafficking, drug addiction and many forms of exploitation."

"Young, LGBTQ, and Homeless" will call on several high-profile experts and advocates to examine the local and national responses to the crisis. Ray Suarez, former Host of Al Jazeera America's Inside Story and PBS Newshour will moderate the event.

The event's featured speakers include:

Timothy V. Kane, MDiv, MTh, Associate Director of Inclusion Initiatives, Multicultural Student Services Center, George Washington University
Leandrea D. Gilliam, Program Analyst & Housing Specialist, Office of the Mayor
Sean Read, Director of the Welcome Center, Friendship Place
Diego Miguel Sanchez, APR, Director of Policy, PFLAG
Kahlib Barton, Vice Chair, Young Black Gay Men's Leadership Initiative, and Member, National Youth Forum on Homelessness

"Working with other community groups has helped Friendship Place and other service providers empower young people to rebuild their lives," says Giraud. "This year's symposium will allow us all to hear from different voices, including young people, who can best speak about their own situation on the street."

About Friendship Place
Friendship Place is a leader in the Washington, DC area in developing solutions to homelessness that have demonstrable results and a lasting impact. Our innovative, customized, person-focused programs empower participants to rebuild their lives, find homes, get jobs and reconnect with friends, family and the community, permanently. Our goal is to end homelessness in Washington, DC, and to lead the way in modeling how this can be done in other parts of the country.

Contact: Yimka Odebode
Assistant Director of Media, Marketing, and Communications
Friendship Place
202.503.2964
[email protected]
www.friendshipplace.org

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SOURCE Friendship Place

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