Connection Between Housing Instability and Youth Who Identify as LGBTQ+
More than 25% of youth who seek support at Ozone House identify as LGBTQ+. Homeless LGBTQ+ youth are not only dealing with the pressures of being homeless, but also coping with rejection and isolation from those who are supposed to love them unconditionally. Ozone House is here 24/7/365 to support young people through these challenging times.  
 
Read on to learn more about the LGBTQ+ homeless youth population. We hope you can join us at our upcoming Home Sweet Home event in support of LGBTQ+ youth! 

  • Nearly 40%  of all youth experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ+. That is a very disturbing number considering the general population of youth that identify as LGBTQ+ is
    7% .
  • Once LGBTQ+ are out of their homes, they are at a greater risk  for victimization, unsafe sexual practices, and mental health issues than non-LGBT young people experiencing homelessness.
Why Does This Happen? 
  • For LGBTQ+ youth, family conflict tends to be over their sexual orientation or gender identity.  Half of all teens get a negative reaction from their parents when they come out to them.
    More than 1 in 4 are thrown out of their homes.
  • LGBTQ+ youth who come from highly rejecting families are 8.4 times as likely to have attempted suicide as LGBTQ+ peers who reported no or low levels of family rejection.
     
Everyone Can Make A Difference!
  • LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness interact with more than just the people working at shelters. They also go to schools, coffee shops and libraries, ride public transportation, use the Internet... Treat everyone with the respect they deserve. It's that simple.
(source: True Colors Fund and The Trevor Project)
PrideZone
PrideZone is an Ozone House social and support group for youth ages 13-20 who identify as LGBTQ+. The group meets every Wednesday evening from 6 - 8pm at the Ozone House Drop-in Center. PrideZone is a welcoming environment for all identities. The goal of PrideZone is to provide a fun, safe space for youth to talk about queer issues with others who also identify as LGBTQ+.

PRIDEZONE is a safe place to:
  • Socialize
  • Build community
  • Have fun in an open, queer space
  • Access support services
Events and Activities include:
  • Gardening
  • Board game night
  • Movie night
  • Coming out over coffee
  • Guest Speakers
  • Cider mills
  • Craft nights
JOIN US TO SUPPORT LGBTQ+ YOUTH

Please join us for  wine, chocolate, and cheese on February 13th to celebrate the young people that seek support from Ozone House. 

 
Tickets are selling fast. Purchase yours today!  
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Meet Lead PrideZone Facilitator and Guest Speaker at Home Sweet Home
Patrick Gaulier, MSW

Patrick has been with Ozone House for over six years. Starting as a crisis line volunteer, he became a PrideZone facilitator in July of 2012 then a case manager in September of 2012. Currently, he is the lead PrideZone facilitator and a clinical case manager focusing on our clients in need of permanent supportive housing through our SOLO program. In addition, Patrick earned his MSW from Eastern Michigan University in 2017 with a focus on mental illness and chemical dependency. 
 
Patrick is originally from Royal Oak and, prior to coming to Ozone House, worked in the Detroit metro area. Patrick used his undergraduate degrees in English and Teaching from MSU to teach English at Waterford Kettering High School before entering Americorps and completing his service at the Boys Hope Girls Hope program in Detroit. He also worked as the Education Coordinator with an after school pregnancy prevention program in Detroit and his passion for supporting LGBTQ youth led him to complete an internship with Ruth Ellis Center. At Ozone House, Patrick has found a home with a "delightful atmosphere." He believes Ozone House is a place that values its mission and the work each employee does is informed by that mission. In his work as SOLO case manager, he embraces challenges and truly sees the impact of his work through a young person's ability to take care of themselves.

When Patrick has down time he likes to go for runs, cook vegetarian delights, post Lisa Frank memes, and play with his dog Evie. If you spend any time at Ozone House you'll probably run into Patrick, but if you need to reach him, send him an email at   [email protected] or call the main office at 734-662-2265.

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Ozone House |1705 Washtenaw Ave. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 
 Drop-In Center 102 N. Hamilton Street Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Crisis hotline: 734-662-2222 | Office: 734-662-2265  
Drop-In Center: 734-485-2222 email:  [email protected] |  www.ozonehouse.org

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