The Thanksgiving holiday ushers in a busy time of the year. There are holidays to tend to and get-togethers with family and friends. Thanksgiving, though, can be a reflective time and an opportunity to review what we have and what we can share with others. In short, it is a time for giving back.

While there are plenty of worthy charities that deserve support, I want to focus here on the ones helping LGBT homeless youth. There are now, gratefully, several shelters in the tri-state area focused on helping homeless LGBT teens and young adults, a very forgotten population in our community and society as a whole. The latest estimates published by The Advocate news magazine state that 25 percent to 40 percent of the homeless youth population in New York City is LGBT. That makes for 7,000 kids with no place to live. Many have been rejected by family and are desperate for options that lead to education and employment. They come from states like New Mexico and Nebraska seeking a better life in the city. There are few agencies that understand their specific issues and some face open harassment when they seek help.

Thankfully, several advocates in our community started sounding the alarm two years ago about the staggering number of LGBT and questioning youth who are homeless. They also made the Westchester County community aware of the agencies and shelters trying to help. But while there are more resources dedicated to the problem these specific shelters offer 70 beds—at most—for this population. They need constant support for outreach and growth.

While the charity work is no doubt endless and the needs are great, those of us who have resources to share can do our part to help make sure that more of our youth have a bed to sleep in, a decent meal, and social services that can lead to a better life.

Sylvia’s Place is an emergency night shelter for self-identified LGBTQ youth and is run by the Metropolitan Community Church of New York City. Named after the late Stonewall veteran Sylvia Rae Rivera, the shelter promises a “safe space when all other options are exhausted.” Learn more at www.sylviasplace.org or by calling 718-300-0133.

A newer shelter, Trinity Place, was started just this year by the Interfaith Task Force for LGBTQ Youth. Based out of a church in New York City, this shelter offers shelter, food, and counseling to youth in our community. Donations can be made by calling Peggy Borgstede at 917-847-6592.

The Ali Forney Center, started in 2002, offers housing and help, too. A list of services can be found at
www.aliforneycenter.org or by calling 212-222-3427.

Green Chimneys, an agency with many services, has a program that focuses on LGBT youth in New York City. Look under “our programs” at www.greenchimneys.org or call 212-491-5911.

There are other wonderful agencies in Westchester County that help the homeless population, but none specifically dedicated to LGBT youth—at least none that I know of. If you know of agencies and shelters that are particularly sensitive to the needs of our community, please contact the LOFT Helpline at info@loftgaycenter.org and give us the pertinent information. And please remember to give generously at this time of the year.