Peace for the Streets by Kids from the Streets (PSKS)

In 2008, PSKS became one of the first homeless youth centers in Seattle to collect demographics on sexual identity. Over the past 4 years nearly half of our participants have self-identified as LGBTQ. Located on Seattle’s Capitol Hill for 18 years, PSKS welcomes and accepts each individual just as they are. Our community is a safe environment to understand, respect and value differences. We affirm the capacity of each person to realize their full potential.

To achieve our mission, to support homeless and at-risk youth and young adults to become empowered to lead positive and self-sufficient lives, we rely on the voices of the young people we serve to guide our work. Our purpose is to serve the self-identified needs of our participants. 

Since 2011, PSKS has maintained an emergency fund to support the specific needs of queer homeless youth.  LGBTQ youth currently serve in paid internships to gain community organizing and employment experience. Interns are conducting need and asset surveys to identify community resources, opportunities and gaps and barriers to services that will help PSKS more strategically meet the needs of the homeless LGBTQ population.

The stories of two young people who have benefitted from the queer youth fund are below:

Lawrence was referred to PSKS by the Lambert House and enrolled in the RISK Learning Center.  Lawrence received tutoring support in a safe and supportive learning environment and was able to reach his academic goals and have all five of his GED tests paid for due to the financial assistance provided by the Pride Foundation.  Lawrence is now enrolled for the Apparel Design program at Seattle Central Community College and is pursuing his dream of working within the fashion industry.

Tatiana* was able to get their identification card.  As a young trans woman, the process of obtaining identification was an intimidating task, but with the support of a case manager she did not have to fear discrimination or worry about the financial burden.  With an ID, Tatiana can take her GED tests and can begin to work toward having her gender identification changed on other important legal documents.