My Pride and Joy

All young people need the love and unconditional acceptance offered by family, and for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth this need continues to grow.

To find out more about becoming a foster parent to LGBTQ  youth,  call 1-510-272- 0204 or visit us at www.familiybuilders.org

The Facts about LGBTQ Youth in Foster Care

There are thousands of children and youth in the nine Bay Area Counties who are in foster care. Nearly half are in Alameda and San Francisco Counties. Until recently, LGBTQ youth have been invisible to the public. Below you will find some of the facts about these youth in the system and what they  go through.

• LGBTQ youth are overrepresented in the foster care system, and are more likely than other foster youth to be placed in group homes and other congregate care facilities.
• An overwhelming majority of LGBTQ youth report they were victims of violence, and all have been victims of verbal abuse, based on their sexual orientation or gender identity while in  care.
• LGBTQ youth may be more likely to experience suicidal thoughts, and are at a higher risk for substance abuse.
• Between 25% and 40% of homeless and runaway youth identify as LGBTQ.

We need everybody—gay or straight—to step up to provide safe and stable care in an accepting and welcoming family environment for our LGBTQ youth.

How You Can Help

You can help LGBTQ youth by opening your heart and home to become a foster or adoptive parent. Family Builders will prepare you to provide LGBTQ youth with safety and stability. Your family will receive a stipend to help defray the costs of fostering a youth in your care, and you will be a welcomed member of our community of families, who all receive ongoing support from each other and from our highly experienced clinical staff. To find out more call 1-510-272-0204.