Thursday, February 19, 2009

GLASS needs our Support

Everybody's talking about this...GLASS, L.A.'s Gay and Lesbian Adolescent Social Services voted 7-0 to declare bankruptcy. This place is a staple in the community by providing LGBT troubled youth a home and counseling.

They are trying to get out of this mess but it's seems to be a uphill climb. Here's more from Pam's site about the issue

"This is a world-class disaster," DeCrescenzo told me by phone, noting that GLASS just became the first licensed LGBT adoption agency in the country. Their primary program is providing group homes for 40 LGBT 15-17 year olds, and transitional living for 25 teens between 17-19.

"Where are those kids going to go? The county will tell you they'll place them somewhere. But you tell me - who wants or who knows how to work with trans kids? My guess is that the kids will run away and we'll see them on the streets."

DeCrescenzo says she believes the board filed for Chapter 7 out of fear of their own personal liability because the agency was behind in paying Worker's Comp and with the IRS. But she says an LA County contract check was expected to cover the gap and she could work out a payment plan with the IRS.

Additionally, the reorganization plan would change the group home structure from a "family style" of six beds with two fulltime staff to 12-bed congregate living - hardly ideal but "better than going under."

This would the perfect time for our gay community to come together and raise money and awareness about this matter. I can't help but to think about Breakin' 2 Electric Boogaloo.
They raised money to save their youth center, perhaps we can get our best drag queens, talented performers (non-porn), orgainzations and bars to help. We have to protect our LGBT youth.

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Viktor is a small town southern boy living in Los Angeles. You can find him on Twitter, writing about pop culture, politics, and comics. He’s the creator of the graphic novel StrangeLore and currently getting back into screenwriting.