Asia's House: Houston's First LGBTQ-Affirming Emergency Shelter for Youth
In a significant step for LGBTQ+ youth in Houston, Grace Place and the Montrose Center have announced the opening of Asia's House, an emergency shelter dedicated to young individuals aged 15 to 17. This six-bedroom facility is named after Asia Jynaé Foster, a young transgender woman tragically murdered in 2020. Her legacy lives on as the community finally builds a haven that she once advocated for, aiming to provide vulnerable youth with a safe place to stay.
Historically, Houston lacked an accessible and affirming shelter for LGBTQ+ youth, with the nearest option located 150 miles away in Austin. This has left many young people in precarious situations without immediate support. Asia's House will fill this critical gap in the local resources available to youth forced to leave their homes due to unsafe living situations.
Courtney Sellers, the Executive Director of Grace Place, emphasized the shelter's aim to create a safe space without the need for youth to prove themselves in order to gain entry. "Asia told us what young people here needed, and she was right. Building this in her name means the young person who walks through our door at 16 doesn't have to prove anything to anyone to be safe tonight," said Sellers.
Asia's House is designed to serve all sexualities and gender identities within Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties, forging an inclusive environment for everyone in this demographic. The shelter operates on a voluntary basis where entry is encouraged through partnerships with local schools and street outreach, alongside a 24-hour hotline for those in need.
Once inside, young residents can access a variety of support services. There are provisions for case management, counseling, life skills training, tutoring, and even employment assistance. Additionally, behavioral health care and substance use treatment will be available through the nearby Montrose Center, ensuring that personal growth is a central theme of the shelter's operations.
The initiative is funded partly by a grant from the federal Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. It's a partnership that has been years in the making, with Grace Place providing essential services to LGBTQ+ youth since its establishment in 2010. However, until now, they had not operated a dedicated emergency shelter. With the Montrose Center’s support, Asia's House is set to become a significant player in the fight against youth homelessness in Houston.
"We are proud to partner with Grace Place and support the launch of Asia's House, which fills a significant gap in Houston's housing landscape," commented Avery Belyeu, CEO of the Montrose Center. He revealed how both organizations successfully collaborated to create a sustainable, affirming space for LGBTQ+ youth.
As the need for supportive resources continues to rise, Asia's House stands as a beacon of hope. By offering LGBTQ+ youth a secure place to call home, the facility embodies the dream of community advocates like Asia Jynaé Foster, and highlights the ongoing mission to ensure that every young person is treated with respect and dignity.
In a world where acceptance and safety can often feel out of reach, Asia's House symbolizes change and the power of community, firmly believing that every young person deserves a safe place to thrive.
Historically, Houston lacked an accessible and affirming shelter for LGBTQ+ youth, with the nearest option located 150 miles away in Austin. This has left many young people in precarious situations without immediate support. Asia's House will fill this critical gap in the local resources available to youth forced to leave their homes due to unsafe living situations.
Courtney Sellers, the Executive Director of Grace Place, emphasized the shelter's aim to create a safe space without the need for youth to prove themselves in order to gain entry. "Asia told us what young people here needed, and she was right. Building this in her name means the young person who walks through our door at 16 doesn't have to prove anything to anyone to be safe tonight," said Sellers.
Asia's House is designed to serve all sexualities and gender identities within Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties, forging an inclusive environment for everyone in this demographic. The shelter operates on a voluntary basis where entry is encouraged through partnerships with local schools and street outreach, alongside a 24-hour hotline for those in need.
Once inside, young residents can access a variety of support services. There are provisions for case management, counseling, life skills training, tutoring, and even employment assistance. Additionally, behavioral health care and substance use treatment will be available through the nearby Montrose Center, ensuring that personal growth is a central theme of the shelter's operations.
The initiative is funded partly by a grant from the federal Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. It's a partnership that has been years in the making, with Grace Place providing essential services to LGBTQ+ youth since its establishment in 2010. However, until now, they had not operated a dedicated emergency shelter. With the Montrose Center’s support, Asia's House is set to become a significant player in the fight against youth homelessness in Houston.
"We are proud to partner with Grace Place and support the launch of Asia's House, which fills a significant gap in Houston's housing landscape," commented Avery Belyeu, CEO of the Montrose Center. He revealed how both organizations successfully collaborated to create a sustainable, affirming space for LGBTQ+ youth.
As the need for supportive resources continues to rise, Asia's House stands as a beacon of hope. By offering LGBTQ+ youth a secure place to call home, the facility embodies the dream of community advocates like Asia Jynaé Foster, and highlights the ongoing mission to ensure that every young person is treated with respect and dignity.
In a world where acceptance and safety can often feel out of reach, Asia's House symbolizes change and the power of community, firmly believing that every young person deserves a safe place to thrive.
Topics People & Culture）
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