WANDA ALSTON FOUNDATION

Since 2008, the WAF has worked to improve the lives of LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness by providing 18 months of shelter, on-site case management, life skills training and connections to medical and mental health care. We have 24-hour staff, many of whom are members of the LGBTQ community themselves. We have provided services to hundreds of the most vulnerable LGBTQ youth from all 8 wards and we operate our facility in Ward 7.

Our youth have been rejected and have survived unspeakable violence and abuse. As a result, the WAF attempts to immediately respond to the acute needs of residents as they arrive at our facility. We provide support and stability to allow our youth to work toward completing educational goals, maintaining stable employment and decreasing risk and chronic homelessness and the susceptibility of being reliant on programs indefinitely. Our clinical supervisor and case manager complete full assessments of each resident; develop individual service plans; make immediate and appropriate referrals to mental health and behavioral health services.