Kicked Out Fund

Ozone House provides shelter and support to hundreds of young people in our community each year. Roughly 1 in 4 of these young people seek help because their sexual orientation has led to unsafe situations at home, at school or in the community.

A contribution to the Kicked Out Fund supports Ozone House’s work on behalf of local LBGTQ youth. The fund supports our 24/7 Crisis Line - an essential lifeline to young people and their families and friends. The Crisis Line is one of the first places young people in crisis turn to find support and safety. LGBTQ youth come to Ozone House to find temporary shelter if they are under 18 or more permanent housing if they are over 17. These young people receive ongoing support from professional therapists, case managers, and youth specialists who work to make sure they are safe and have the resources to avoid homelessness and secure a better future.

The fund will also support QueerZone – a weekly support group for LGBTQ youth that meets at the Ozone Drop-In in Ypsilanti. Ozone House has supported a group for LBGTQ youth since the 1970s as the organization recognized the need for young people to have a safe place to socialize and support each other.

The Kicked Out Fund was established with the support of Homofactus Press, a local publisher. Homofactus Press published “Kicked Out,” which is an anthology edited by Sassafras Lowrey. “Kicked Out” compiles stories of young people who were kicked out of their homes due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Recent research estimates that 40% of all homeless youth in the United States identify as LGBTQ.

Lowrey notes, “It happens in every community. Queer teen homelessness occurs across lines of race, class, religion, ability, ethnicity, nationality and geographical region. Kicked Out’s contributors represent the diversity of this epidemic.”

This was also true in the 1970s when Ozone House established one of the nation’s first support groups for LGBTQ youth. “We have met so many young people who have been thrown away from their homes by the very adults charged with taking care of them. While these stories of talented youth who braved the streets and other predators still shock us, they also reinforce our commitment to providing safety and support to youth as they transition to productive adulthood,” says Katie Doyle, Executive Director of Ozone House.

All contributions to the Kicked Out Fund are tax deductible. Michigan residents who donate to the fund will also qualify for an additional tax credit through the Michigan Homeless Tax Credit Program.

Click here to DONATE NOW. . . and please note “Kicked Out” in the Dedication field on Network for Good.

$ 675 - Underwriter
• List your name on Ozone House website, Facebook page and e-Newsletter, “In the Zone”
• Hotlinks from all of the above for businesses
• A “Kicked Out” anthology book signed by local publishers and special Ozone House recognition gifts
• Feature your name on recognition signage
• Feature your sponsorship on all “Kicked Out” publicity
• Recognition in the 2010 Annual Report

$375 – Sponsor
• List your name on Ozone House website Facebook page and e-Newsletter, “In the Zone”
• Hotlinks from all of the above for businesses
• A “Kicked Out” anthology books signed by local publishers and special Ozone House recognition gift
• Feature your name on recognition signage
• Feature your sponsorship on all “Kicked Out” publicity
• Recognition in the 2010 Annual Report

$200 – Supporter
• List your name with hot link on Ozone House website, Facebook page and e-Newsletter, “In the Zone”
• Feature your name on recognition signage
• A “Kicked Out” anthology books signed by local publishers
• Feature your support on all “Kicked Out” publicity
• Recognition in the 2010 Annual Report

$100 - Friend
• List your name with hot link on Ozone House website, Facebook page and e-Newsletter, “In the Zone”
• Feature your name on recognition signage
• Feature your support on all “Kicked Out” publicity
• Recognition in the 2010 Annual Report

Click here to DONATE NOW. . . and please note “Kicked Out” in the Dedication field on Network for Good.

Jerel
Crisis Line Volunteer