Chrysler Group sponsored and hosted a Halloween party for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or questioning (LGBTQ) youth at the Ruth Ellis Second Stories Drop-In Center, in Detroit, on October 30. Approximately 20 members of Chrysler Group’s Gay and Lesbian Alliance (GALA) along with their spouses, partners, friends and family volunteered to organize and work the party at the drop-in center that typically provides basic needs, services and a safe space for LGBTQ youth.
Members of Chrysler Group’s Gay and Lesbian Alliance (GALA) package more than 100 gift bags to be distributed at a Halloween Party at Ruth Ellis Second Stories Drop-In Center in Detroit. The Center provides basic needs, services and a safe space for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, and/or questioning youth (LGBTQ) youth.
The party was held on Devil’s night -a night historically synonymous with an increase in violence and arson throughout the City of Detroit- to keep homeless and runaway youth out of vacant homes and off the streets.
“While our community in Highland Park and Detroit is certainly showing signs of progress in reducing the risk of harm on what historically has been a dangerous night, we still want to make sure we provide a safe space on Devil’s night,” Mark Erwin, Director of Community Development for Ruth Ellis, said.
More than 70 young adults, ranging from ages 13-24, attended the Halloween Party that featured food, music, games, prizes and dancing.
Homelessness for young adults in Detroit is not uncommon. It’s estimated that almost half of Detroit’s homeless youth identify as LGBTQ.
“In the City of Detroit, it is estimated that there are between 800-1000 runaway and homeless LGBTQ youth on the streets on any given day,” Erwin said. “In 2013, Ruth Ellis Center helped roughly 500 youth and provided more than 4500 services.”
Ruth Ellis is a youth social services agency that serves the needs of runaway, homeless and at-risk youth. The Center is one of the nation’s leading experts on vulnerable youth who are experiencing residential instability. It is the only organization in the country that has a Residential program for LGBTQ youth in the foster care and juvenile justice system, and is mission specific to LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness.
Volunteers spent the day of the party decorating the drop-in center with Halloween decorations collected and donated by GALA members, their friends and family.
One of the many Halloween decorations collected and donated by members of Chrysler Group’s Gay and Lesbian Alliance (GALA) for a Halloween Party at Ruth Ellis Second Stories Drop-In Center in Detroit. Approximately 20 members of GALA, along with their spouses, partners, friends and family hosted the party at the Ruth Ellis Center that provides basic needs, services and a safe space for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, and/or questioning youth (LGBTQ) youth. More than 70 young adults, ranging from ages 13-24, attended the Halloween Party that featured food, music, games, prizes and dancing.
Food was provided and served by GALA members, which included meals from various local Detroit restaurants and purchased to-go boxes, so youth could take food with them after the party. GALA members also packaged and distributed more than 100 gift bags containing hand warmers, chips, trail mix, nuts, granola bars, fruit cups, water bottles, candy and many more treats.
Emily Keith, Deanna Belger and Rhonda Dunbar of Chrysler Group’s Gay and Lesbian Alliance (GALA) help prep food for a Halloween Party at Ruth Ellis Second Stories Drop-In Center in Detroit. Approximately 20 members of GALA, along with their spouses, partners, friends and family hosted the party at the Ruth Ellis Center that provides basic needs, services and a safe space for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, and/or questioning youth (LGBTQ) youth. More than 70 young adults, ranging from ages 13-24, attended the Halloween Party that featured food, music, games, prizes and dancing.
“It may have been just one night, but we hope this party made a significant difference in these young adults’ lives,” Julie Bondy, a GALA member and lead organizer of the Halloween Party said. “We wanted to make sure they enjoyed themselves, but also show them that they are not alone. It does get better, and we will continue to support them as best as we can.”
Chrysler Group’s GALA group has a longstanding relationship with the Ruth Ellis Center that includes supporting the Center’s annual VOICES program to raise awareness to the epidemic of homelessness among LGBTQ youth in the United States. The group has donated clothing, toiletries and basic needs items. GALA is currently holding a sock, underwear and towel drive and continues to develop future volunteer programs benefiting the Ruth Ellis Center.
