Our mission
Our mission is to strengthen and empower all youth, however they identify, to overcome obstacles by providing housing, supportive counseling, community education, and advocacy.
Our vision
We envision a community where all youth, inclusive of all intersecting identities, are supported, equal, and thriving.
Our values
We recognize thriving as a community means all youth, inclusive of all intersecting identities, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, race, ethnicity, culture, age, ability status, class, faith, and social characteristics are equal.
Our Goals
As a nonprofit, we seek to fill gaps in the upper great plains’ region, primarily South Dakota, with outreach into North Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Montana as a Counseling and Community Center with Employment Resources, Emergency Housing Solutions, and STI and HIV prevention and education.
Technical Assistance Provided by the Ali Forney center
Consulting with the Ali Forney Center
Ali Forney Center
Since AFC's launch with just six beds in a church basement, the organization has grown to become the largest agency dedicated to LGBTQ homeless youths in the country—assisting over 2,000 youths per year through a 24-hour Drop-In Center which provides over 70,000 meals annually, medical and mental health services through an on-site clinic, and a scattered-site housing program.
Today
Carl Siciliano is overseeing efforts to provide technical assistance to groups around the country seeking to create or expand programs for homeless LGBTQ youths. Along with Nadia Swanson, Technical Assistance Consultant, Carl Siciliano is providing technical assistance, on a consulting basis, to our organization, helping with matters such as program planning and development, fundraising, Board development, best practices in working with homeless LGBTQ youth and more.
Urgent Issues Affecting Youth
Homeless Youth
Rural vs. Urban Homelessness
Rural vs. Urban Homelessness
LGBTQ Young Adults Experience Homelessness at More than Twice the Rate of Peers.
Research-to-Impact briefs by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago.
- LGBTQ youth are at more than double the risk of homelessness compared to non-LGBTQ peers
- Among youth experiencing homelessness, LGBTQ young people reported higher rates of trauma and adversity, including twice the rate of early death
- Homelessness stems from multiple factors beyond “coming out” among LGBTQ youth
- Youth who identified as both LGBTQ and black or multiracial had some of the highest rates of homelessness
- Safe, affirming responses and services are important for engaging LGBTQ youth
LGBTQ Young Adults Experience Homelessness at More than Twice the Rate of Peers – Chapin Hall
Rural vs. Urban Homelessness
Rural vs. Urban Homelessness
Rural vs. Urban Homelessness
Missed Opportunities: Youth Homelessness in America.
Research-to-Impact briefs by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago.
- In predominantly rural counties, 9.2% of young adults reported any homelessness while, in predominantly urban counties, the prevalence rate was 9.6%.
- Household prevalence of any homelessness among adolescents ages 13-17 was 4.4% in predominantly rural counties and 4.2% in mainly urban counties.
- One interesting distinction is that youth in rural communities seem to rely more on couch surfing, probably due to a lack of shelter and housing services in their communities.
Missed Opportunities: Youth Homelessness in America – Voices of Youth Count
Lacking Services in Rural America
Discrimination and Family Rejection
Discrimination and Family Rejection
Rural Counties Lack Services for Youth Experiencing Homelessness.
Research-to-Impact briefs by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago.
- Most rural counties lack services designed specifically for youth experiencing homelessness, forcing young people to go without help or travel long distances to gain support.
- Rural youth are more likely to be “hidden” in their communities because they often rely on “couch surfing” at friends’ or strangers’ homes, sleeping in vehicles, or staying outdoors.
- Rural youth find it more difficult than their peers in larger, more urban counties to connect with education and employment opportunities.
https://www.chapinhall.org/research/youth-homelessness-rural-america/
Discrimination and Family Rejection
Discrimination and Family Rejection
Discrimination and Family Rejection
Discrimination and Family Rejection
- LGBTQ+ individuals face a particular set of challenges, both in becoming homeless as well as when they are trying to avoid homelessness. LGBTQ+ persons face social stigma, discrimination, and often rejection by their families, which adds to the physical and mental strains/challenges that all homelessness persons must struggle with.
Frequently, homeless LGBTQ+ persons have great difficulty finding shelters that accept and respect them. LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing homelessness are often at a heightened risk of violence, abuse, and exploitation compared with their heterosexual peers. Transgender people are particularly at physical risk due to a lack of acceptance and are often turned away from shelters; in some cases signs have been posted barring their entrance.
- According to the Williams Institute, 40% of the homeless youth served by agencies identify as LGBTQ+.
- 43% of clients served by drop-in centers identified as LGBTQ+.
- 30% of street outreach clients identified as LGBTQ+.
- 30% of clients utilizing housing programs identified as LGBTQ+ Discrimination and Family rejection are often the most cited reason.
- National Coalition for the Homeless LGBT Homelessness - National Coalition for the Homeless (nationalhomeless.org)
Contact Us
We love to stay connected with our community and allies!
LGBTQ+ Family Connections Center
406 5th street Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, United States
Hours
Open today | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm |
