Youth Voices Speak on Homelessness

Last school year, Wicomico County Public schools served 437 families and students in transition. Across the lower shore, youth experiencing homelessness is steadily increasing and young people are asking, “Why aren’t we doing anything about homelessness?”

On October 21, 2021, at 4:00 pm, Fenix Youth Project Inc. invites the public to attend the Youth-Led Town Hall being held at the Truitt Street Community Center to address the state of homelessness in our area and provide possible solutions. Led by young people, this town hall aims to not only provide a safe space for the community to share their personal experience but also advocate for the creation of a Bill of Rights for Citizens Experiencing Homelessness that will be created by FYP’s Youth Advisory Board (Y.A.B).

Executive Director, Amber Green is excited to partner with Salisbury University students and youth currently utilizing the Arts & Media Drop-In Center to host this event. “I think we’ve put the voices of those experiencing homelessness on the sidelines for far too long and it will take one sub-group of the vulnerable population, the youth, to provide space to another.”

Teachers, counselors, and case managers alike are asked to encourage their young people to attend this event. Food will be provided and community service hours are given to those who need it. The public is invited to this all-ages event and Fenix Youth Project is asking those who have transportation challenges to give them a call at 443-736-8028 to arrange transportation. 

A Night Out in Solidarity

Join Fenix Youth Project on November 17, 2021, for our 2021 Lower Shore Sleep Out!

Join us at the FYP Arts & Media Center or Virtually to reflect on ways we can help young people experiencing homelessness and show our solidarity with those who are homeless — and to let the world know about the ever-growing population of young people who face homelessness on Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore.

And there's more to the Lower Shore Sleep Out than a night without a mattress. Lower Shore Sleep Out raises critical funds to help Fenix Youth Project Inc. provide emergency shelter, sanctuary, and support to youth overcoming homelessness.

November is National Runaway Prevention Month (NRPM), a public awareness campaign designed to “shine a light” on the experiences of runaway and homeless youth that too often remain invisible. It is also an opportunity to spotlight the resources available to support youth in crisis throughout the nation. As part of the campaign, individuals, organizations, and communities across the nation are encouraged to work together to prevent youth homelessness.

Register today! —-> https://www.classy.org/event/lower-shore-sleep-out/e357385

Transgender Homeless Adults: What the Data Tell Us

Limited information exists about the number of transgender people experiencing homelessness. There are very few data sets relative to this population, but all the data tells a similar story: transgender people are more likely to be unsheltered than their cisgender peers, and those who are unsheltered have considerably more health and safety challenges than those who are sheltered.

Transgender individuals are disproportionately unsheltered. Sixty-three percent are living in such situations. For comparison, 49 percent of cisgender people experiencing homelessness are unsheltered.

Both Black and White unsheltered transgender people have extraordinary health and safety issues. Notably, a staggering percentage of both Black and White unsheltered transgender people engage in risky behavior: 100 percent of Black and 97% of white people.   

Unsheltered Black transgender people experiencing homelessness also average somewhat more system interactions than their unsheltered White peers 

Many transgender people already face challenges such as discrimination, rejection, and legal battles; and physical and behavioral health battles, as well. Such problems are exacerbated when they are homeless and can become life-threatening when they are unsheltered

Read more —> https://endhomelessness.org/resource/transgender-homeless-adults-unsheltered-homelessness-what-the-data-tell-us/