Ruth Ellis

Our Mission

admin — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:00:14 +0000

To provide short-term and long-term residential safe space and support services for runaway, homeless and at-risk gay, lesbian, bi-attractional, transgender and questioning youth in Detroit and Southeastern Michigan.

Offering Hope & Real Help

admin — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:45:13 +0000

Ruth Ellis Center is the only mission specific agency in the entire Midwest dedicated to LGBTQ, (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-atractional, Transgender and Questioning) youth. The Center provides residential and drop-in programs. LGBTQ youth need helpers and advocates who get “it.” We … Continue reading →

Why We Are Needed

admin — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:44:33 +0000

The LGBTQ population is overly represented in the runaway and homeless youth population and severely underserved. The needs of these young people include the physical needs for shelter, food, clothing and healthcare and may also include addressing the problems of addiction, alcohol abuse and sexual exploitation. Street youth may also have educational gaps that require individualized vocational, employment and life skills training. LGBTQ street youth also face the added burden of dealing with internal conflicts and social ostracism.

How Many More Have to Suffer?

admin — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 14:43:59 +0000

Nationally, about 40% of the 1.7 million runaway and homeless youth self-identify as LGBTQ.
In Detroit alone, up to an estimated 800 homeless LGBT youth are on the streets every day.
The National Runaway Switchboard estimates that young people who identify as LGBTQ are seven times more likely to be a victim of crime than their straight peers.
In Michigan, nearly nine out of 10 LGBTQ students experienced verbal harassment in the past year because of their sexual orientation, almost five out of 10 said they had been physically harassed and one in five said they had been physically assaulted.