Greenwald & Lampitt Partner with Nonprofits to Host Clothing Drive for Homeless LGBTQ Youth

(TRENTON) – Taking initiative to help LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness, Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald and Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt, together with the nonprofits Garden State Equality and RAIN Foundation, will host a winter clothing drive to support homeless residents in the LGBTQ community.

Over 40 percent of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Many became homeless because they were rejected by their families due to their sexual orientation or their gender identity.

“LGBTQ youth are nearly twice as likely as their peers to experience homelessness, leaving them vulnerable not only to dangerous weather conditions but to abuse and exploitation,” said Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D-Camden, Burlington). “We are so grateful to be collaborating with Garden State Equality to help these young people overcome homelessness and deliver much needed winter clothes to these kids. Our office will be a drop off site for essential items like winter coats, bedding, and pillows and we encourage everyone to stop by and donate.”

“LGBTQ youth face adversity in many ways because of their sexuality or gender identity, and sadly too many of these young people are forced into homelessness just for being their true selves,” said Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt (D-Camden, Burlington). “We are happy to partner with Garden State Equality to collect supplies that will ensure these young people have what they need to make it through the winter. We invite every resident in our district to visit our office and donate in support of this cause.”

“It’s a tragedy that the LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness in New Jersey are so deeply underserved,” said Christian Fuscarino, executive director of Garden State Equality. “We’re working on several legislative solutions to support these kids, but the most important and immediate thing each of us can do is support the RAIN Foundation and the youth it serves with clothing and supplies to improve their lives.”

Requested items include:

• Winter Coats (Sizes: M, L, XL, 2XL)
• Winter Boots (Sizes: 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5)
• Umbrellas
• Bedding Comforters, Deep Twin Sheet Sets
• Pillows
• Deep Twin Bed Bug Mattress Covers
• Towels & Wash Cloths
• Water Purifier
• Laundry Detergent
• Household Cleaners
• Tool Set

Donations will be accepted through January 31, 2020, at the following drop-off locations:

1) Legislative Office of Majority Leader Greenwald & Assemblywoman Lampitt

1101 Laurel Oak Road, Suite 150

Voorhees, NJ 08043

(856) 435-1247

Monday to Friday

9am – 5pm

2) Garden State Equality

1408 Main Street

Asbury Park, NJ 07102

(973) 509-5428

Monday to Friday

9am – 5pm

Please call in advance

3) The RAIN Foundation

168 N Park Street

East Orange, NJ 07017

(973) 675-6780

Monday to Friday

9am – 5pm

Please call in advance and ask for Asha Shepard or Naykhea Watkins