[RELEASE] Project HOME and The Philadelphia Foundation Announce Exciting New Community Partnership Supporting At-Risk Young Adults
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TPF Awards $100,000 to Support Programs at Planned LGBTQ-friendly Residence
PHILADELPHIA, March 22, 2017 – Project HOME and The Philadelphia Foundation (TPF) today announced a new community partnership aimed at supporting young adult-specific programs, funded in part by $100,000 that TPF envisions as a catalyst for more investment.
Specifically, the Young Adult Program — which will emphasize education, employment, and community support and life skills — will be provided at Project HOME’s planned LGBTQ-friendly residence at 1315 N. 8th St., which will include 30 units of specialized housing for young adults between the ages 18 and 23. Community partners will provide the services.
“We are thrilled to be able to partner with The Philadelphia Foundation on this new project that is the first of its kind in Pennsylvania and one of the first in the nation. Homelessness among young adults is on the rise and over 40 percent of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ. The Philadelphia Foundation, with its high standards for operational quality, integrity and accountability will help us shine the light on this growing tragedy,” said Sister Mary Scullion, co-founder and executive director of Project HOME.
“Their leadership gives us reason to hope that, together, we can reverse this trend and provide meaningful solutions for these beautiful young people who deserve a fresh start,” she added.
“The Philadelphia Foundation is proud to have a long record of support for both Project HOME and the LGBTQ community,” said Pedro A. Ramos, TPF President and CEO. “When we convened meetings among homelessness providers and others to build awareness of the specific needs of LGBTQ youth, the need for this sort of housing became clear. That’s why we helped leverage support for the capital construction drive. We know that just as essential will be the ongoing services that are provided. It is our hope that others will see the need for programming and will add to our financial contribution.”
TPF was the region’s first funder of AIDS services. It was recently named by LGBQTfunders.org as among the top five community foundations nationally to fund LGBTQ issues. It also is home to the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund, established in 1994 to encourage philanthropy for the LGBTQ community. That fund is among 25 component funds at TPF whose purpose is, in whole or in part, to support the LGBTQ community or assist organizations addressing HIV/AIDS.
About Project HOME
Since 1989, Project HOME has helped thousands of people break the cycle of homelessness and poverty by providing a continuum of services that includes street outreach, supportive housing and comprehensive services that focus on health care, education and employment through both adult and youth education and enrichment programs at the Honickman Learning Center and Comcast Technology Labs and community-based health care services at the Stephen Klein Wellness Center. Project HOME and its partners have pledged to end chronic street homelessness in Philadelphia, housing 2,200 people – 1,000 people who have been long-term street homeless, 200 youth who are homeless and/or aging out of foster care, and 1,000 people who are homeless on the street and addicted but ready for recovery and work.
About The Philadelphia Foundation
Founded in 1918, The Philadelphia Foundation (TPF) strengthens the economic, social and civic vitality of Greater Philadelphia. TPF grows effective philanthropic investment, connects individuals and institutions across sectors and geography, and advances civic initiatives through partnerships and collaboration. A publicly supported foundation, TPF manages more than 900 charitable funds established by its donors and makes over 1,000 grants and scholarship awards each year. To learn more, visit www.philafound.org.
