Joseph Russ is fundraising
Santa Marta Center for LGBTQ Young Adults
An emergency shelter and ongoing support for LGBTIQ+ youth and young adults in El Salvador facing homelessness
Help us with startup costs: remodeling, food, clothing, and staffing the center for the first couple months (see below for details).
Our Story
In 2009, LGBTQ+ members of the Anglican Church of El Salvador founded the Sexual Diversity Ministry, where people can be their authentic selves and participate fully in the church. However, we have seen too many LGBTQ+ people kicked out of their homes, and we lack the resources to respond. To address this issue, the Sexual Diversity Ministry proposed founding the Santa Marta Center for LGBTQ+ Youth and Young Adults (Hogar Santa Marta in Spanish).
As a program of the Anglican Church of El Salvador, we recognize the prophetic voice of LGBTQ+ people, and embrace God’s call to support those who face injustice while advocating against continued injustice. Faith communities in El Salvador have a long history of resisting oppression and uplifting the voices of the historically marginalized, through the Christian Base Communities and the legacy of leaders like Saint Oscar Romero . On March 24th, we commemorate the anniversary of his martyrdom.
The Problem
Widespread homophobia in El Salvador and the world leaves many LGBTQ+ young adults in fear of being kicked out of their homes, facing domestic violence, and lacking a home to return to when deported. In El Salvador, many live with their parents through their 20s, and can be kicked out even as adults.
Qualitative studies in El Salvador and quantitative studies elsewhere suggest that LGBTQ+ people face violence and homelessness at higher rates than the general population. On the street, they are at greater risk of trafficking, sexual violence, and hate crimes.
Religion plays a huge role in spreading hate and discrimination because churches are some of the most trusted and influential institutions in El Salvador . Unfortunately, too many churches are not open and affirming, but instead condemn LGBTQ+ people. In light of the Catholic Church's recent affirmations of anti-LGBTQ+ policies , the Anglican Church of El Salvador is in a unique position to promote a counter narrative as one of the few churches in the region that openly affirms LGBTQ+ people.
Our Solution
We will interrupt this cycle, providing emergency shelter to LGBTQ+ adults ages 18-30 years old. We will provide help finding housing, ongoing attention, educational support, and community.
Phase I. Emergency Care: Provide emergency food, shelter, clothing, and psychological support to those who have just fled their homes, been kicked out, or been deported.
Phase II. Intermediate Care: Help clients identify housing options with friends, sympathetic relatives, or other contacts. Clients will learn about their rights and what mechanisms the government has to guarantee these rights and prevent further violations. Clients will also work on developing goals based around their identity and passion, not around cisheteronormativity. This will also include, in cases where appropriate, workshops with family members to better equip them to support their LGBTQ+ siblings, children, and relatives.
Phase III. External Accompaniment: Accompany clients who have found and moved into more stable housing through psychosocial services, educational support, and community events. Through partnerships with other organizations and in-kind donations, we will provide both group events and support as well as personal check-ins to ensure a balance between a sense of community and individualized attention.
Financials
The annual budget for this program is just under $70,000.00 (see below). To launch the program, we are looking for $20,000.00 to cover:
1. Remodeling and utilities for the building to receive clients ($8,300)
2. Food, clothes, and transport for clients for the first 3 months ($4,000)
3. Staff costs for the first two months ($7,700)
If we exceed our fundraising goal, the additional funds will continue to sustain this work for the rest of the year. This money will go to the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, who are supporting this program in partnership with the Anglican Church of El Salvador.
Help us with startup costs: remodeling, food, clothing, and staffing the center for the first couple months (see below for details).
Our Story
In 2009, LGBTQ+ members of the Anglican Church of El Salvador founded the Sexual Diversity Ministry, where people can be their authentic selves and participate fully in the church. However, we have seen too many LGBTQ+ people kicked out of their homes, and we lack the resources to respond. To address this issue, the Sexual Diversity Ministry proposed founding the Santa Marta Center for LGBTQ+ Youth and Young Adults (Hogar Santa Marta in Spanish).
As a program of the Anglican Church of El Salvador, we recognize the prophetic voice of LGBTQ+ people, and embrace God’s call to support those who face injustice while advocating against continued injustice. Faith communities in El Salvador have a long history of resisting oppression and uplifting the voices of the historically marginalized, through the Christian Base Communities and the legacy of leaders like Saint Oscar Romero . On March 24th, we commemorate the anniversary of his martyrdom.
The Problem
Widespread homophobia in El Salvador and the world leaves many LGBTQ+ young adults in fear of being kicked out of their homes, facing domestic violence, and lacking a home to return to when deported. In El Salvador, many live with their parents through their 20s, and can be kicked out even as adults.
Qualitative studies in El Salvador and quantitative studies elsewhere suggest that LGBTQ+ people face violence and homelessness at higher rates than the general population. On the street, they are at greater risk of trafficking, sexual violence, and hate crimes.
Religion plays a huge role in spreading hate and discrimination because churches are some of the most trusted and influential institutions in El Salvador . Unfortunately, too many churches are not open and affirming, but instead condemn LGBTQ+ people. In light of the Catholic Church's recent affirmations of anti-LGBTQ+ policies , the Anglican Church of El Salvador is in a unique position to promote a counter narrative as one of the few churches in the region that openly affirms LGBTQ+ people.
Our Solution
We will interrupt this cycle, providing emergency shelter to LGBTQ+ adults ages 18-30 years old. We will provide help finding housing, ongoing attention, educational support, and community.
Phase I. Emergency Care: Provide emergency food, shelter, clothing, and psychological support to those who have just fled their homes, been kicked out, or been deported.
Phase II. Intermediate Care: Help clients identify housing options with friends, sympathetic relatives, or other contacts. Clients will learn about their rights and what mechanisms the government has to guarantee these rights and prevent further violations. Clients will also work on developing goals based around their identity and passion, not around cisheteronormativity. This will also include, in cases where appropriate, workshops with family members to better equip them to support their LGBTQ+ siblings, children, and relatives.
Phase III. External Accompaniment: Accompany clients who have found and moved into more stable housing through psychosocial services, educational support, and community events. Through partnerships with other organizations and in-kind donations, we will provide both group events and support as well as personal check-ins to ensure a balance between a sense of community and individualized attention.
Financials
The annual budget for this program is just under $70,000.00 (see below). To launch the program, we are looking for $20,000.00 to cover:
1. Remodeling and utilities for the building to receive clients ($8,300)
2. Food, clothes, and transport for clients for the first 3 months ($4,000)
3. Staff costs for the first two months ($7,700)
If we exceed our fundraising goal, the additional funds will continue to sustain this work for the rest of the year. This money will go to the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, who are supporting this program in partnership with the Anglican Church of El Salvador.
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