Newark Building Will Be A Safe Space For Homeless LGBTQ Youth

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — For years, the LGBT Reaching Adolescents in Need (RAIN) Foundation has offered a warm, supportive shelter for teens and young adults in Essex County. And recently, the East-Orange based nonprofit got a big boost in its ongoing battle – a new affordable housing building in Newark.

Last week, the community gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony at 25-27 Roseville Avenue, where a new residential building will soon stand. The 11-unit building will give a safe space to youth experiencing homelessness who identify as LGBTQ and may have a disability – a pressing need in the region.

• See related article: Remember Essex County's Homeless LGBTQ Youth For Pride Month

The project is a watershed moment for the nonprofit, which has been providing emergency shelter, transitional housing and permanent supporting housing services in the Greater Newark area since 2013. It is “the first of its kind in the New Jersey area,” the foundation said.

According to the nonprofit, the building will provide “safe, affordable and supportive housing,” helping residents to become independent and self-sufficient.

Each resident will also receive supportive services to address their health, financial and psychosocial needs. Services will include case management, and social programs designed to “best support sustainable and healthy futures for LGBTQ young adults.”

“This much needed supportive housing project has been a personal vision of mine for a long time, and it’s incredible to see how it has become a community mission,” Executive Director Elaine Helms said.

“The leaders and warriors of our communities have come together to help make [the RAIN Foundation] what it is today,” Helms said, adding that the new building is a huge step towards the nonprofit’s goal of “making sure chronically homeless LGBTQ young adults know and feel that they belong.”

• See related article: Replica 'Main Street' In Essex County Empowers Special Needs Youth

Gov. Phil Murphy was among those who offered resounding support for the upcoming facility in Newark.

“For years, the RAIN Foundation has been committed to strengthening our community by providing support and shelter to adolescents who identify as LGBTQIA+,” Murphy said. “This new building on the corner of Roseville Avenue and Sussex Avenue will positively impact the lives of several currently homeless individuals by providing them with a safe, decent, affordable, and supportive home.”

The effort got a thumbs-up from U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, who wrote:

“Homelessness in the LGBTQ community is often too prevalent but everyone in our society, regardless of sexual orientation, deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. I applaud the LGBT RAIN Foundation for building a safe place for LGBTQ individuals to live and receive quality health and financial services.”

Newark city officials, including Mayor Ras Baraka, also praised the new facility. Officials said:

“As the project is the first of its kind in the New Jersey area, it is a necessary effort to show LGBTQ individuals that their lives are valued and celebrated. It is a space for people to live without the fear of discrimination that too frequently occurs in housing.”

Staff at the foundation gave a message of thanks – and hope for the future – on social media. They wrote:

“Today, history was made with the groundbreaking of NJ’s first permanent supportive housing project for LGBT young adults. We are thrilled that the many years of hard work and community support has paid off and in 2022, RAIN will have ribbon cutting to open the doors for 11 people to live in a place they can truly call home. These one bedroom units will be in Newark, approved and supported by many partners including the one and only Mayor Ras Baraka who allowed this vision of our executive director to come to light. With the help of local community partners, we will host a relevant, much needed collection of social service options to get and keep our young LGBT community on track and thriving. Please accept this announcement as proof that what is supposed to be will be and NO does not mean never!”

The foundation continued:

“To all and anyone experiencing homelessness in a dark moment, know that your voice and situation matters. Your life matters and you should seek with urgency and consistency the support you need. Your right now is not your forever. There are literally hundreds of Greater Newark organizations that work tirelessly for YOU! Not because we know you personally but because you are important and you matter. It may look and feel different, there may be rules that you have to abide by but trust and believe, it will all work out for the greater good. Since 2013, we’ve helped hundreds of homeless individuals access better, safer options for sustainable living. Our late nights, early mornings are to help the underserved, marginalized communities and we’re committed to get back up each time we fall or a door is closed. Our goal is to help open doors that you can access with confidence and safety. We simply can’t and won’t stop until more LGBT lives are changed and impacted for the better.”

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