Safe and Sound

Host homes for homeless LGBT youth

Background
The Safe and Sound host home project was born out of the need for safe shelter for youth experiencing homelessness in Utah.  There is an estimated 1,300 youth living on the streets, in the canyons, in squats or roaming from city to city.  Of those 1,300 youth, 42% identify as LGBT, and approximately 60% of the LGBT homeless youth are from Mormon families, the majority of whom were kicked out for being gay, appearing gay or gender varient.  

In 2011 a group of active Mormons expressed their love and support for LGBT persons in the Pride parade, to great local and national acclaim.  From this one-time event a movement was born, with Mormons Building Bridges becoming a voice for love and safety for all LGBT persons.  Individuals from Mormons Building Bridges, led by Berta Marquez, expressed interest in working with OUTreach Resource Center to address the problem of LGBT youth homelessness and the Safe and Sound Host Home Project was born.

Goal

The goal of Safe and Sound is, ultimately, to prevent a LGBT youth from being homeless.  This goal will be accomplished through preventing homelessness, working within wards to educate leaders and families in family strengthening and reunification techniques (using the research-based Family Acceptance Project materials); when families are not able to stay together, providing emergency housing for LGBT youth during reunification efforts, and if needed, matching LGBT youth with welcoming and affirming families so that the youth may live in love and safety, escaping life on the streets as a homeless youth.

How can you help?
In many ways! Donate money, time or talent:

• Apply to be a volunteer (Volunteer Application)
• Donate money or your professional services
• Host a gathering at your home of ward to help spread the word about Safe and Sound

Interested in being a host family?

A host family must:

• Complete a Host Home Application
• Pass criminal background checks
• Provide three references (Reference Forms)
• Be age 25 or older
• Pass a personal interview and a home interview
• Pass a psychological screening
• Have an extra bedroom for a youth
• Have homeowner/renter and automobile insurance
• Complete extensive training