MASSACHUSETTS
Waltham House gives them a home of their own
Rather than live in a home where he is rejected for being gay or transgender, a child will choose to live on the streets, or even purposely acquire a deadly disease like HIV to find safe housing, said Marc Denofrio. Several years ago, social workers reported that youth living under state care who identified themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender were leaving foster care and group homes, even though the street was their only alternative, said Denofrio, director of Waltham House on Lexington Street. The only other safe housing option for them was to find housing for teens who were HIV-positive, he said.
"There was a trend where kids were deliberating contracting HIV to find a place that was safe for them," Denofrio said. That disturbing problem was one of the major reasons The Home for Little Wanderers opened the house for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender teens in October 2002, he said. "All of our residents here can identify however they want. The program does not judge them," he said. "First and foremost, we help them achieve their goals. They need to feel safe and supported," Denofrio said.
Tonight The Home for Little Wanderers is holding a Casino Night to benefit the Lexington Street house, raising money for food, operational costs and repairs, said spokeswoman Heather MacFarlane. The casino night fundraiser will be held at Club Cafe at 209 Columbus Ave., Boston, from 6-10 p.m. Tickets are $50. This buys live entertainment, food, a silent auction and a lot of games for people 18 and over, she said.
The Home for Little Wanderers runs Waltham House and has 17 organizations in eastern Massachusetts. It needs every bit of help it can get, particularly during the current recession, said MacFarlane. Looking at statistics, Denofrio said it is clear the program helps the youth, who are 14 to 18 and under the care of the state's Department of Children and Families.
The majority of the teens have experienced significant trauma, whether physical or sexual abuse, and were taken out of their homes and into state custody, Denofrio said. "When the Department of Children and Families places a child in a group home or foster care, our residents need that to be affirming of their gender and sexual identity," which includes helping teens focus on goals, rather than just therapy, he said. Living at a supportive home means they are far less likely to engage in at-risk behavior, he said.
Up to a dozen youths live at the home at a time, the majority of whom come from Massachusetts, but up to one-third can come from other states, usually Connecticut, he said. They typically stay at the home for 16 to 18 months, he said. For about half of the teens, their goal is to transition into foster care or to live independently.
Aside from providing a safe and supportive home for the teens, Denofrio said, the existence of such homes means the state is acknowledging gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth have special needs that must be addressed and managed, and that "it's OK to do that."
"The uniqueness of the program is really important. The fact that we are doing what we're doing is so important, it's such a big statement," Denofrio said. "For everybody growing up in foster care, it's hard enough, but when a youth is coming out, sometimes he's kicked out of homes and families aren't there to be a support system. It's a tough situation if you don't have a support system, and we provide that," MacFarlane said.
To purchase tickets for Casino Night, visit www.thehome.org/casinonight. Tickets are also available at the door.
Joyce Kelly
27 April
http://www.wickedlocal.com/waltham/features/x457996455/Waltham-House-gives-them-a-home-of-their-own
