Be the change you wish to see
by Robin Dorner
Editor in Chief
Years ago, Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Today, the organization Be The Change (BTC) is doing just that.
“When we started BTC, we had no idea we would be lead in this direction,” said Jonathan Roberts, BTC executive director. “Our goal was to identify unmet needs in the community and work to meet those needs. That leads us to work with homeless youth with a focus on LGBTQ youth.”
Roberts said it was completely unexpected and is extremely rewarding.
The numbers speak for BTC. Their support group, YES (Youth Equality Services), serves LGBTQI youth ages 13-20 and YES+ serves young adults ages 18 to 24.
“70 percent (175) of the 250-unduplicated youth identify as transgender or non binary (gender-fluid, genderqueer, agender, etc.). Of the 175, 67 percent (117) identify as transgender male.”
BTC engaged 522 unduplicated youth, ages 14 to 24 from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017. 67 of those had shelter of some kind. The remaining 455 were sleeping under a bridge, an abandoned building, car or other inappropriate habitation.
“34 percent (154), of the 455-unduplicated youth self-identified as LGBT. Of the 154, 27 percent indicated they were asked to leave their home because of their gender identity or sexual orientation and 62 percent indicated they ran away from home because of family conflict around their gender identity or sexual orientation,” Roberts added.
For survival, some rely upon risky or illegal activity, running/selling drugs, theft, trespassing and financial fraud to meet their basic needs in the absence of other resources. Nearly half are victims of physical or sexual assault and many self-reported suicide attempts or incidents of self-harm.
Currently, one in five youth who walk through the door of the BTC resource center identify as transgender or non-binary; a particularly large number of trans youth.
BTC has opened a 12-bed youth shelter for these youths open seven nights a week. Roberts indicated there is overflow space for 20 more where cots if needed.
“The project has seen a groundswell of community support with focused support from the HIV and LGBTQI+ community,” added Roberts.
Ground Floor focuses on 3 “pillars” of service for participating youth: housing, education and employment.
“BTC [and Ground Floor] participates in other youth-specific housing programs in Oklahoma City and has successfully housed dozens of youth,” Roberts said. “We also have a HUD-funded housing program called Home Now, a permanent supportive housing program available to youth.
“Most youth coming to the program self-report they did not complete high school, but they aspire to [obtain] post-secondary education. Understanding that long-term, gainful employment is more of a challenge for youth who do not have a high school diploma or GED, Ground Floor staff work to link youth to the educational support they need,” he said.
Employment services are provided on-site by T.A.S.K. (Teaching and Saving Kids), Central Oklahoma Workforce Investment Board and Work Ready. These partner organizations provide youth specific, employment training, placement and support programs.
“Red-Rock, NorthCare and Hope provide mental health screening and treatment services at the resource center. Turning Point provides substance use support groups and treatment referral services,” said Roberts.
BTC has a place for youth to do laundry, shower, kitchen facilities, computer’s and much more.
“HIV/STI testing and healthcare services are provided at the center as well,” he added.
And there are outdoor kennels for dogs, complete with dog houses, blankets and food. “We are currently fostering a cat we call Eleanor Roosevelt,” Roberts said.
Be The Change is always looking for volunteers and are in need of donations.
Items needed are daily hot meals, snack foods for the pantry, supplies for infants and children (diapers, wipes, clothing, blankets, etc.), new socks, underwear and undershirts. If you would like to donate from BTC’s wish list, visit bit.ly/gayly41.
Cash donations are also welcome. For information about BTC and how to donate, visit www.bethechangeok.org.
The Gayly. May 12, 2018. 10:48 p.m. CST.