Media Advisory

MEDIA ADVISORY
For March 31, 2009

WHEN:
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
3:45PM – 5:30PM

WHERE:
Convening at the corner of Park Row and Chambers street; converging on City Hall Park by 4PM

WHO:
Runaway and homeless youth, clergy, executive directors and concerned citizens representing mainstream as well as LGBTQ-specific youth homeless shelters and drop-in programs across the city, including the Empire State Coalition of Youth and Family Services, The New York City Association of Homeless and Street-Involved Youth Organizations, MCCNY’s Sylvia’s Place, Green Chimneys, Bronx Community Pride, Trinity Place Shelter, and Covenant House.

WHY:
Last week, the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) slashed funding for homeless youth shelters, in a wave of funding cuts that promise to cripple runaway and homeless youth programs across the city forcing closures and less beds. The closing of these programs will force youth to live on the streets for months while waiting for beds and services at already-overburdened shelters and youth drop-in centers. Homeless youth advocates are calling on the city to restore funding to these programs to prevent a collapse in the shelter system citywide.

VISUALS:
Runaway and homeless youth—including a number of LGBTQ runaway and homeless youth—clergy and homeless youth service providers carrying signs and pillows to represent the youth beds that will be terminated with DYCD’s current funding cuts.

Media Advisory