#project fierce

[projectqueer]

Project Fierce Will Open Home To Homeless, LGBTQ Youth In North Lawndale

The North Lawndale center will provide housing for 10-12 people at a time and will open in the fall.

[blahlicia]

Okay so the fundraiser at my school has already grown into a huge thing.

I've been interviewed by two websites, there's some articles out already, and we've raised over $3000. Meanwhile, the university is covering their asses and actually released a press release that, in my opinion, was...a lie. 

I'd like to reiterate that the only thing the money is going to is to buy a HOUSE. 

[blahlicia]

CLICK HERE to support Aull4One Raising Money for Project Fierce

So over a year ago, I had the idea that the LGBTQ group at my school do a little mini donation collection in our group and gather some things to send to a local LGBTQ homeless youth shelter. I was really passionate about it because I've had friends who were kicked out of their homes cuz of their sexuality or where to afraid to come out because of the fear of being kicked out. Plus, it's a largely ignored issue that deserves a looot more attention.

The donation collection never happened but when some of us officers had a meeting at the beginning of last semester, my idea was brought up again but we decided we wanted to make it a big campus wide thing. This was a big deal because our school is a religious one and people's attitudes towards LGBTQ people are kinda...all over the place and conservative. Like our group started out as purely a very secretive support group but has sort of grown over the years. Anyways, we're also not an "official" club because of politics but we've been able to put on programs before, we just have a lot of hoops to jump through which is exhausting. Continuing though, we decided that a fundraiser for a LGBTQ shelter should be our big project for the year and seeing as generally Christians believe in mission work and helping others, we figured that this would be an easy sell. So we took it to campus ministries and they seemed excited about it. I myself picked out the group we'd be helping and wrote the proposal for our fundraiser. Sent it to them and..........

THEY SUGGESTED A DIFFERENT GROUP THAT IS NOT SPECIFICALLY HELPING HOMELESS LGBTQ YOUTH. Which kind of destroys the whole point of our fundraiser. Especially since religion is a large reason why kids get kicked out. There was some back and forth as to why and it all comes down to politics and image for the university. So the group is taking this fundraiser to the internet. So please, if you can donate a few dollars that would be awesome. The group we're raising the money for is Project Fierce in Chicago, and they are just trying to raise money to buy a building to turn into transitional housing for 10 to 12 people. They're a grassroots organization made up of social workers and it's a really great thing they want to do. 

http://projectfiercechicago.org/

[tempeo]

Homelessness and the Project Fierce Charity Anthology

Homelessness and the Project Fierce Charity Anthology

Thank you Tempeste for having me over! I wanted to talk a little bit about homelessness today and the Project Fierce Charity Anthology, in which I’m very happy to say my story SAMMY is part of.

Less Than Three Press has done a few charity works in the past, mostly for relief efforts for natural disasters. It’s something they’ve always wanted to pursue further, but with more emphasis on the LGBTQ…

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[qwear]

Hey Chicago! Win a $75 Topman Gift Card and Style Consultation with A.D.

Join Project Fierce Chicago this Saturday (December 14th) for a chance to win a Qwear sponsored style consultation with our very own writer A.D., $75 towards your shopping trip at Topman (and/or Topshop), and free dinner or drinks. Raffle tickets will support Project Fierce's mission to reduce LGBTQ youth homelessness in Chicago.

The Slo 'Mo Spectacular: A Soulful Holiday Shindig Saturday, December 14, 2013, 8:00PM Bottom Lounge, 1375 West Lake St. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door [Buy tickets here] RSVP on Facebook

ABOUT PROJECT FIERCE CHICAGO

Project Fierce Chicago is a grassroots collective of radical social workers, activists & housing advocates that have come together to create a community-funded project to provide an affirming home for some of Chicago's thousands of homeless LGBTQ young adults. The organization launched publicly with a fundraising campaign in April of 2013, and the organizers were overwhelmed by the community’s generous response! Since their initial campaign, the collective has tripled in size,received legal non-profit status and have successfully raised a third of their first-year operating budget for the project. 

Project Fierce is currently working to raise the  funds necessary to purchase a foreclosed building on the West or South side that will be converted into transitional housing for 10-12 LGBTQ-identified young adults. Homelessness is difficult at any time of year, but with average temperatures as low as -10°F, winter can be extremely dangerous for folks without a place to stay. Project Fierce Chicago hopes to open its community home by this time next year, so that fewer young folks have to fight the bitter Chicago winter on the CTA, in bus shelters and in other outdoor spaces next year. Individual donations and support in spreading the word are crucial to the success of the project. Please consider donating to help PFC open it's doors before next year's first freeze! 

Learn more and get involved at www.projectfiercechicago.org.

[hmelt]

SUPPORT PROJECT FIERCE CHICAGO: A GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY EFFORT TO ADDRESS QUEER YOUTH HOMELESSNESS Who We Are! Project Fierce Chicago is a grassroots group of youth service providers, housing advocates and radical social workers. Motivated by the need for additional housing resources available for LGBTQ young folks, we came together and decided that instead of waiting for institutional support from the city or state, we will work to address this issue ourselves through a community-driven project! Our mission is to reduce LGBTQ youth homelessness in Chicago by providing affirming, no-cost transitional housing and support services to LGBTQ young adults. PFC also aims to encourage community-building and leadership development through collaborative living and civic engagement. What's Different About Us? Project Fierce Chicago’s goal is secure a community home that will provide longer-term transitional housing for LGBTQ young people ages 18-24. In addition to living space, residents will have access to services that support a successful transition to independence such as case management, educational and vocational training, independent living skills training and individual and group therapy. These services will primarily be provided by dedicated volunteers & collective members. PFC’s aims to become a largely self-sustaining community by using a collective funding model, growing food in a community garden and making our own daily living items such as soap, lotion and household cleaning products with natural ingredients. A focus on self-sustainability fosters community, self-confidence and accountability, which supports young folks with their transition to independence while building partnerships, supporting local community members and businesses. Finally, this model also allows us greater independence from insitutional bodies that are not always able to respond effectively to our community's needs. We Need Your Help! Now that you all have donated the funds to cover our 501(c)3 filing fees, we are starting to raise funds for a down payment on a home for LGBT young folks! Our plan is to purchase a foreclosed, CTA-accesible space on the south or west side of Chicago. This community-home will be where Project Fierce youth will live and engage in programming to learn sustainable practices, employment skills, and much more. By donating any amount of money, you're becoming a part of this project and promoting the success of youth in our community! Stay in touch with us as the project grows via our newsletter! Background: Queer Youth Homelessness in Chicago There are an estimated 15,000 youth in Chicago who experience homelessness in the course of a year, according to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) and the Illinois Department of Human Services, and an estimated 32% - 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ (Gay & Lesbian Task Force, 2007). These young folks experience hunger, institutional and interpersonal violence, employment discrimination, and don't have access to basic needs. Read more about youth homelessness in Chicago on our website. Our community home would allow youth to feel more secure knowing that they have guaranteed housing every night. PFC's supportive program would provide time and space for the young people to access important resources like employment, schooling, public benefits, etc, which can be insurmountably difficult to access without a home. Other Ways You Can Help! 1. Consult or volunteer with PFC. We would be extremely grateful for help from people who have expertise in housing, finance and/or law. Please contact us if ou have a background and want to help: [email protected]. 2. Host a fundraiser for PFC. We need a good deal of resources to maintain a space, and we need friends to throw parties or events that earn some green! 3. Spread the word!