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The Center's Coalitions are a space for community members, organizations, agencies, and stakeholders to share resources and opportunities for collaboration as well as opportunities for advocacy.
Since its founding, The Center has been an incubator for coalitions, movements, and organizations. Notable organizations that got their start here include ACT UP, Callen-Lorde, and the Anti-Violence Project.
Formed in July 2022, the Coalition for Radical Advocacy and Empowerment (CRAE) addresses the critical intersection of LGBTQ+ youth homelessness and substance use. This initiative was catalyzed by the urgent needs observed during the 2020 pandemic, during which LGBTQ+ youth faced a significant rise in homelessness and housing instability. This, compounded by reduced service capacities and elongated waiting lists, underscored the dire circumstances faced by our community.
The Coalition for Radical Advocacy and Empowerment is dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ youth and young adults aged 16-29 in New York City who have lived experience with homelessness and/or substance use. Our mission is to unite organizations, stakeholders, and community members to advocate for equitable access to services and resources, fostering better outcomes for one of NYC's most vulnerable communities. We are committed to educating, advocating, and providing direct support to homeless LGBTQ+ youth, with a focus on both prevention and empowerment. By equipping them with the tools to advocate for themselves and inspire others, we aim to prevent future instances of homelessness and substance use within this community.
By providing training and opportunities for learning and growth, we aim to empower LGBTQ+ youth and young adults to understand the systems and policies they must navigate to meet their needs. With supportive information, homeless LGBTQ+ youth and young adults will not only be able to maneuver these complex systems but also advocate more effectively for themselves and others in their community
We recognize that effective advocacy involves a blend of direct action, policy influence, and community engagement. By raising awareness of the barriers faced by this community, supporting legislation and policy changes that promote systemic improvements, and building partnerships with agencies and organizations committed to this cause, we strive to create impactful change. Our efforts extend beyond simply representing homeless LGBTQ+ youth and young adults; we equip them with the tools they need to advocate for themselves. By providing proper support and resources, we aim to empower this community to become strong self-advocates and leaders.
Our commitment to prevention is fundamental to our mission. We proactively address the root causes of homelessness and substance use among LGBTQ+ youth and young adults through early intervention strategies, educational programs, and targeted community outreach. By engaging at-risk individuals and providing safe, substance-free environments, we aim to interrupt the cycle of substance use that many homeless LGBTQ+ youth face. Our efforts are designed to enhance their overall well-being and promote a stable, promising future for every member of the community.
Through our network of organizations, we provide direct support to homeless LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, offering essential resources and services including housing, medical care, mental health, and recovery services. Our goal is to equip this community with the necessary tools to overcome challenges, build resilience, and achieve stability in their lives, thereby creating better outcomes for their futures.
To learn more and join CRAE, email us at coalition@gaycenter.org
The QUEER Code is a youth advisory committee made up of LGBTQ youth and young adults between the ages of 18 -29 who have experienced homelessness. The QUEER Code focuses on the intersection of LGBTQ+ Youth, Homelessness and Substance Use with the goal of creating strategies for prevention, increased resources and access for these youth/ young adults and policy advocacy. All of our members are compensated for the work that they do.
Downloads
CRAE Public Statement on Homeless LGBTQ+ Youth and Young Adults in New York City
View StatementThe Center leads, organizes, and supports the coordination of a statewide coalition called RiseOut, representing more than 50+ LGBTQ+ and allied organizations from every region of New York State. The Center is committed to centering the needs of those who are most impacted by systemic oppression in all our advocacy work.
Community leaders from every region in New York worked in collaboration to develop this inclusive, people-centered plan to advance LGBTQ+ affirming legislation and policies in New York. We also recognize, uplift, and support allied organizations and coalitions that lead on other important community needs that are not specifically addressed on this platform.
The New York State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health & Human Services Network (The Network) is a coalition founded in 1994 and administered by The Center, consisting of 62 LGBT-specific and LGBT-supportive nonprofit organizations that provide care to LGBT New Yorkers and our families.
The Activist-in-Residence fellowship is an opportunity for established or emerging activists with bold, cutting-edge ideas for advancing LGBTQ+ rights to invest in their political projects and bring visibility to timely issues facing LGBTQ+ people in New York. Through this fellowship, The Center seeks to contribute to social justice movements by empowering the next generation of BIPoC leaders.
