Our Story

Trinity Place Shelter is a non-sectarian, 10-bed shelter that provides LGBTQ youth and young adults with a safe place to sleep, shower, eat and store belongings. We provide individual and group counseling, independent living supportive services, and access to transportation.

We provide case management, education, career counseling, access to comprehensive health services, art classes and mental health services utilizing community partnerships. All youth referred to Trinity Place are interested in and assisted with actively seeking employment or schooling.

We provide a unique home and family-like environment where youth receive individualized care, respect, and the basic services so often denied them.

New York City has the second highest number of homeless youth of any major city in the country.1 It’s estimated that about 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ, with a high proportion identifying as transgender.2 There are as many as 8,000 LGBTQ youth/young adults currently living homeless in NYC3 and only 250-350 beds are specifically available for LGBTQ youth.4 These youth often experience abuse and trauma in other shelters and on the streets, and have often been the victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse at home.

Our goal is to provide homeless LGBTQ youth with the basic support, shelter and skills necessary to make the transition to independent living, and to make a positive difference for as many as possible in the midst of this crisis.

1. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “The 2014 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress.”
2. Durso, L.E., & Gates, G.J. (2012). Serving Our Youth: Findings from a National Survey of Service Providers Working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth who are Homeless or At Risk of Becoming Homeless. Los Angeles: The Williams Institute with True Colors Fund and The Palette Fund.
3. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. “Fact sheet: Homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth in New York.”. January 30, 2007.
4. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/left-behind-lgbt-homeless-youth-struggle-survive-streets-n157506