Couches Don’t Count
Did you know that 51% of youth surveyed during Philadelphia’s August 2015 Youth Count were couch-surfing?
These youth are “couch ho pping” or rotating their evenings from friend to friend, without a home to return to. They’re not sleeping on the street or in the open, but they are homeless.
Additionally, national statistics show that 43% of youth who use drop-in services and 30% of youth in housing programs identified as LGBTQ.
Want to help? Visit us at one of our pop-up events to support #CouchesDontCount!
Wednesday, October 7
12pm: Barnes & Noble Rittenhouse
18th & Walnut
with special guest Rachelle Lee Smith,
author of Speaking OUT: Queer Youth in Focus
3:30pm: Valley Youth House
15th & Sansom
Thursday, October 8
12pm: National Constitution Center
6th and
Arch
4:30pm: Woody’s, 13th & Walnut
Sunday, October 11
12pm: Outfest
Share your photos with us on social media by using the hashtag #CouchesDontCountand tagging Valley Youth House on Facebook, Twitter and Insta
Sheltering Pride is a giving program that supports the Pride program by connecting donors one-on-one to youth experiencing homelessness. For as little as $5,600, you can provide rental support, life skills counseling and move-in essentials for a young person in need for 6 months.
Right now, Pride serves 25 youth each year. With the support of the community, we hope to DOUBLE the number of youth served by 2017.
Want to learn more? Contact Valerie Johnson at vjohnson@valleyyouthhouse.