On any given night in San Francisco, there are more than
1,100 young people without a safe place to sleep
Youth homelessness is deeply rooted in racism, homophobia, and transphobia
Solving youth homelessness for all means we must identify and eliminate barriers faced by those most impacted
BLACK YOUTH MAKE UP 50% OF THE YOUTH THAT COME TO
LARKIN STREET
Pervasive and systemic racism is one of the underlying factors of homelessness.
Marie served on the Youth Advisory Board at Larkin Street advocating for youth of color who are experiencing homelessness.
Marie came to Larkin Street after a family conflict that resulted in her not having a safe place to stay. Since then, she not only found housing but also the opportunity to use her voice to lead conversations about the racism that has impacted the lives of black and brown people.
“I believe that it’s up to us to take the lead on issues that affect our collective future and for policymakers to empower our voices. It’s time to listen to what young people have to say.”
Through advocacy and engagement, Marie is leading her peers to a better future.
ALMOST HALF OF YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN SAN FRANCISCO IDENTIFY AS LGBTQ+
Youth of color and LGBTQ+ young people often experience a combination of stigma, family rejection and racism, resulting in significant overrepresentation in the overall youth homeless population.
Angel’s experience is one of many. His resilience through it all is what makes him an inspiration.
“The LGBTQ+ community has helped me celebrate the creative, fun, and loving person that I am, so giving back is very important to me.”
At Larkin Street, we’re centering young people’s voices like Angel’s and addressing underlying structures that prevent them from reaching their full potential.
