Mental Health
Core Operating Support Helps Organization Overcome Lost Federal Funds
 or many social service agencies that provide mental health services for underserved communities, federal government grants and contracts form a significant part of the budget for direct services. At the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center (the Center), federal funds covered much of the cost of providing mental health and transitional housing programs for gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (GLBT) homeless youth.
 When the federal government unexpectedly cut the Center’s funding, its programs faced a large budget shortfall. The organization’s leaders mobilized to fill the gap, including submitting an application for core operating support funds from TCWF.
In September 2005, the Center received a three-year core support grant of $300,000 from TCWF to continue to provide case management, psychological counseling and transitional living services, and to sustain efforts of its government relations department to restore federal funds for its youth services.
“For GLBT homeless and runaway youth – many of whom have been forced to leave home – the Center’s spectrum of youth programs are a lifeline,” said TCWF Program Director Jeffrey Seungkyu Kim. “Emergency drop-in services act as an entry point to build trust and ultimately lead to the opportunity of transitional housing and a plan for long-term self-sufficiency.”
More than 300 young people visit the Jeff Griffith Youth Center each year. Many learn about its services from street outreach workers. Word-of-mouth among the population of homeless youth in Hollywood brings in youth as well. They can get a hot shower, a change of clothes or a meal, or if needed, a referral to the Center’s medical clinic.
Case managers are also on-site to help access a variety of mental health services at other youth-serving agencies in the Hollywood area. Recreational activities, cultural events and holiday parties throughout the year help build a sense of community among the youth.
For those who decide they are ready and interested in leaving their lives on the streets, the Center has a 24-bed, 18-month transitional living program that serves youth ages 18 to 24.
“Many young people come into the program feeling traumatized,” said Dylan Gailey, the Center’s director of youth services. “But in the residential setting, they develop a sense of camaraderie and begin to see their own potential for the future.”
Staff members strive to make it a comfortable and supportive environment where youth receive ongoing case management and mental health services while building independent living skills such as GED preparation, employment assistance and money management. They also learn about nutrition and preparing healthy meals.
“The idea is to have them leave the program for some type of independent living situation,” Gailey said.
The Center also recognizes that this isn’t an easy process for young people who have no other support system beyond the program and their peers.
“They all get a re-entry plan when they leave,” Gailey added. “It can take more than once to make it.”
The Center’s leadership is committed to maintaining its services for youth despite the challenging funding climate, and they are hopeful that the federal funds will be restored when the organization reapplies to the program next year.
For more information, please visit www.laglc.org
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