Lost-N-Found Youth, a metro Atlanta helping LGBT homeless youth get immediately off the streets, plans to open a drop-in center on Dec. 2.
The drop-in center will be located within the 13,000 square feet of space that houses the organization's newly opened thrift and consignment store located at 2585 Chantilly Drive, Atlanta, near Cheshire Bridge Road and Interstate 85 in Midtown, said Rick Westbrook, executive director of Lost-N-Found Youth.
The non-profit organization is also set to open a new shelter in Midtown:
Just announced our 20-year lease for a new transitional home and drop-in center in midtown. Thanks to St. Marks for making this a reality.
— Lost-n-Found Youth (@LostNFoundYouth) November 21, 2013
Lost-N-Found Youth, a volunteer-led organization founded two years ago, is hoping the thrift store will bring in approximately $100,000 annually. The group's annual budget is currently $100,000 funded 80 percent by individual donations.
The second annual 48-hour vigil by Lost-N-Found Youth begins Friday, Nov. 1, at 9 p.m. in the Burkhart's parking lot and the public is invited to come and help fill a moving truck with clothing and, yes, cash. Other items needed: undergarments, socks, razors, shaving cream and other hygienic products. Gift cards to stores such as Kroger and Target are also needed.
Placing hygiene kits at the base of tents at a homeless camp for teens, Rick Westbrook, executive director of Lost-n-Found Youth, attempts to show the seriousness of the plight of homeless youth, specifically LGBT youth.
The short video shot by Lost-n-Found Youth takes viewers on a short tour through a campsite where Westbrook says LGBT youth are living. And with cold weather on its way, he asks the community for financial support to help the young people get off the streets.
Join members of Lost-n-Found Youth and JustUs ATL today at Charis Books & More to discuss what options are available to homeless LGBTQ youth in Atlanta.
The discussion is set for 7:30-9 p.m. at Charis in Little Five Points and is open to the public.
Lost-n-Found Youth was formed late last year to provide emergency shelter for homeless LGBTQ youth — those who were on the streets and needed a bed and shelter immediately. The issue the organization is facing now, however, is that it does not have enough room to house all the youth in need, according to organizers.
JustUs ATL is a youth-led organization that was formed earlier this year as an organization that is completely run and managed by young people ages 13-28.
From the Facebook invite for tonight's event: