#RewindWithOIAA- Throwback With Lost-n-Found Youth
We kicked off 2021 by using January to support Lost-n-Found Youth! Lost-n-Found Youth are an Atlanta, Georgia-based non-profit working to end homelessness for LGBTQ+ young people aged 18–26. Their aim is to provide these at-risk people with safety and shelter during a time where their lives are turned upside-down. Lost-n-Found Youth’s services include street outreach, a 24/7 helpline, providing food and clothing, and assistance with heath, mental health, education and more! They also run a youth centre and emergency/transitional housing, where youths will have a safe place to stay and get help. They have been in operation for over a decade!
With our month-long campaign, 237 ARMY from 18 countries donated $7374.80 to Lost-n-Found Youth! The funds will be used for Lost-n-Found Youth’s Emergency and Transitional Housing Program which will help provide a minimum of two months of housing for 14 youth. That’s over a year of housing provided to at-risk LGBTQ+ young adults!
As we look back on the past year, many organisations have made changes since we worked with them. So, what are Lost-n-Found Youth up to these days?
Updates On The Programs And New Developments
Following their strategic plan for 2018–2022, Lost-n-Found Youth have many aims in development including increasing their transitional housing capacity, gradually increasing their drop-in centre’s opening hours to 24-hour operation and developing ongoing relationships with employers (hotels, airlines, etc.) which can provide job training for young people. Their plan will help them increase funding and visibility, and develop an efficient and effective infrastructure so that they can better serve the youth in their care.
The Impact Of Pandemic On The Organization’s Operations
Lost-n-Found Youth have had to add Covid safety measures and protocols on all locations and rearrange their workspace to allow social distancing amongst staff members. However, they have been able to re-open their thrift store, where donated clothing and goods are sold to provide support for street outreach, the youth center, and transitional housing!
Support Lost-n-Found Youth For OIAA’s Third Anniversary
- Visit the donation page created for the organization or scan the QR code on the Lost-n-Found poster! Donation Page Link: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/safehomewitharmy
- Donate any amount (a minimum of $1)
- Take a screenshot and submit it on our tracking form (hide any personal information)
- Share the campaign with your friends and family.
Follow the instructions and updates about our Throwback Campaign here.
We are completely aware that not everyone is able to contribute through a monetary donation, but your support, in any form, is significant to our campaign. For example, you can share our SNS posts to help increase the reach and visibility of the org amongst your followers. Find us on social media here: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, Reddit, and Amino.
