Every year, June marks the official start of Gay Pride. 

As the CEO/President of the Los Angeles Youth Network it is not only important to show support of the youth we serve but celebrate their diversity. 

Nationally, 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ. While this number is staggering, LAYN is here to accept all youth no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity. Not only do LGBTQ youth face violence or the threat of violence if they come out, but 40% of transgender individuals attempt suicide at least once in their lifetime.

LAYN’s programs and staff are uniquely trained to welcome, and support these young adults to self-actualize and meet their full potential.

To show our support, this year LAYN participated in the #RESIST March in Los Angeles. LAYN took this opportunity to celebrate and teach our youth an important tool: self-advocacy. Self-advocacy is one of the many life skills that our program staff at LAYN instills in our youth the moment they walk through our doors. We support and encourage all of our youth to live their most authentic self and to express their individuality through all of our programs. We support their choices in education, career development, and a path towards healthy living.

I personally have found that living your most authentic self is very powerful. At LAYN we empower our youth to seek out positive experiences, people, and permanent connections. Please join me in celebrating the diversity of our youth and donate to our programs in support of rich programming to create permanent solutions. 

Mark Supper CEO/President

Kennedy, 19, was adopted at age five from an orphanage in Kazakhstan. Jaden, 18, grew up in New Englad and came out as trans in his early teens to his family. They share two common experiences: each was homeless and each is transgender. 

Click the link below to read the full KCET article. 

Homeless and Transgender: Searching for Shelter and Acceptance by Lata Pandya for KCET

The Vladimir & Araxia Buckhantz Foundation is a strong supporter of LAYN. Long-time LAYN board member, Diana Buckhantz, the Foundation’s Executor, was drawn to the organization because of LAYN’s mission to provide youth with the tools they need to lead healthy, hopeful and self-sufficient lives.

"As the Mother of a 25-year-old son, I know how important nurturing and support is to a young person’s development,” said Buckhantz.  

“I see the youth that we serve, and I am amazed at their resourcefulness and innate talent and ability. I am so grateful that they have arrived at LAYN where they will find support and encouragement. And a path to a healthy, engaging life."

Founded in 1985, LAYN has grown dramatically from our initial purpose of providing emergency services to youth who were living on the streets. Today, we provide housing, mental health services, education, workforce development and life skills to runaway, homeless and foster youth between the ages of 12-21.

Many of the youth we serve have experienced emotional, physical or sexual abuse, or have been neglected or abandoned by their caregiver(s). Most reports indicate that approximately 40 percent of homeless youth identify with the LGBTQ community. In fact, LAYN serves about 35 percent of LGBTQ youth.

Buckhantz continued, “The Foundation is committed to working to effect positive change in culturally sensitive communities and we are so proud to support the important work of LAYN.”

So, as we continue to celebrate Pride Month, we want to thank The Vladimir & Araxia Buckhantz Foundation for their long-standing commitment to LAYN. This important partnership and their annual donation helps ensure LAYN is a respectful, safe, diverse and welcoming environment.  

Join the Los Angeles Youth Network at the Key of Hope Gala on September 23, 2017 as we honor Key of Hope Award recipient, Stuart Bell, partner at Growing Generations. 

We are also excited to announce The Chainsmokers as Gala ambassadors and honorary co-chairs!

Click here to visit our events page and find out how you can attend the event, donate a silent auction item or become a sponsor.

Last year, LAYN was awarded a three-year accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). The organization was so impressed with us, that they decided to feature LAYN in a two-part case study. Click the links below to read up on how LAYN addresses sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE). 

The Essential Philosophy of Serving Youth with Diverse SOGIE Part I 

The Essential Philosophy of Serving Youth with Diverse SOGIE Part II