Numerous members of the LGBTQIA+ community in the United States are faced with difficulties throughout their youth. Among other things, they experience homelessness at higher rates than non-LGBTQIA+ youth. To support the LGBTQIA+ community in San Antonio, Texas, Random Acts IT Manager Lauren Angelini provided donations for Thrive Youth Center. Thrive’s mission is to provide a safe center for homeless LGBTQIA+ youth so that they may become successful adults with the ability, opportunity, and possibility of achieving their dreams.
The Right Organization
When Lauren started planning her Kindness Act, she knew she wanted to provide some support to the LGBTQIA+ community in her hometown of San Antonio, Texas. With this in mind, she started looking for organizations throughout the area that were taking in-person donations during the pandemic. Eventually, Lauren stumbled across Thrive Youth Center and immediately knew she found a good fit.
Thrive Youth Center
Thrive Youth Center was established in 2015 and is one of two LGBTQIA+-specific emergency shelters in the state of Texas. The residents have access to safe living quarters, meals, and showers. Other services include Education Services, Employment Resources, Mental Health Services, Medical Care, and Legal Services. As of October 2017, the organization also offers apartments for housing to around 60 young adults aged 18 to 24. All resources aim to help both apartment clients and shelter residents work towards self-sufficiency and exiting homelessness.
Getting in Contact
When Lauren contacted Thrive’s staff, they were happy to identify key items the organization needed. The goods were for the kids in the shelter as well as for their future apartment buildings where a lot of their residents would be living in the coming years.
Delivering the Goods
Lauren then went to purchase the needed items. Afterward, she contacted Thrive, and they talked about the place and time for the meeting. When Lauren arrived at the Thrive Youth Center, the team waited for her, with a cart for the items and their banner for taking pictures.
The staff at the center were very grateful. Fundraising and Development Coordinator Julie Feagin said, “The work we do is so important to us, and we are very passionate about our mission, community, and humbled by all of the amazing support we have received. We could not do this vital work for the LGBTQ+ homeless youth without the support from everyone in our community.” Lauren was glad she could make a difference by providing some much-needed help and support to Thrive Youth Center.