september 2015

For many LGBTQ youth in Central Brooklyn, being rejected by parents or family members can lead to risky and dangerous behavior. To stave this off, Project ALY (Accept LGBTQ Youth), a CAMBA HIV prevention initiative, launched a new transit-based campaign in September to encourage acceptance of these young people by their parents, guardians and families.

This year's Project ALY campaign keeps with past years in promoting acceptance of the spectrum of LGBTQ youth, but the 2015 initiative homes in on family acceptance of transgender youth, an extremely vulnerable population with high rates of homelessness, substance use and HIV infection.

"Parents and family members who struggle with acceptance will come to understand the harmful effects that disapproval and rejection can have on LGBTQ youth," says Lisa Koffler, CAMBA Program Manager for Prevention Services. "This will help break the silence, remove stigma and motivate change throughout the community," she added.

The ad campaign includes messaging on bus shelters and buses throughout Central Brooklyn. Project ALY also gets that message out through its Family Acceptance and LGBTQ Cultural Competency workshops for community groups, schools and agencies. 

Interested parents and family members are encouraged to attend monthly support groups to discuss their attitudes and concerns. In a novel approach, the program enlists supportive parents of LGBTQ youth, who share their stories and become role models for others who are not yet as accepting.

As the mother of one parent of transgender teen put it, "It's hard, it's something you can't understand and you don't want to accept, but that's your child. You've got to love them - that's the bottom line. That's your child, no matter what."

For more information on the campaign and resources for parents, family members and youth, visit camba.org/ProjectALY.  

 

The You Can Van made its official debut on September 29 in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, parked for outreach in an area where many residents are at high risk for homelessness.   

Equipped with wifi and private offices, the van enables CAMBA HomeBase counselors to provide onsite assessment for shelter risk, intensive case management services, housing assistance and community-based program referrals.  The van is expected to reach at least 3,000 people annually and serve at least 300 families eligible for CAMBA HomeBase services.

The You Can Van was designed by pro bono graphic designers Julia Beardwood of Beardwood& Co., and Joe Marianek of Small Stuff, creating an eye-catching look to welcome and encourage people facing housing crises, who are often afraid or reluctant to seek help.

"The van will get our services to the people who need them, in the communities where they live,"  says Melissa Mowery, Vice President of CAMBA HomeBase.

NY1 covered the launch and spoke with CAMBA HomeBase staff and clients.  Watch the news story here.  

L earn more about the You Can Van  in its  official press release  and follow it on twitter at  @YouCanVan  for outreach locations and homelessness prevention resources.