When Markese Williams turned 18, he left his home in search of a place more accepting of his sexuality. After dropping out of college after freshman year, he began years of living a precarious life — couch-surfing, working odd jobs, until five years later, at 23, he decided to seek help and enrolled in a housing assistance program.
At the housing program, he received training for various certificates, from truck driving to CPR. He also explored his artistic interests, delving into painting and music production, which he had previously thought of as luxuries. There, he also learned the skills to navigate his adult life, from budgeting his finances to cooking. He now works as a residential assistant at Gloria Casarez Residence, Phildelphia’s first and only permanent supportive housing for LGBTQ+ young adults.
Gloria Casarez Residence, named after Philadelphia’s trailblazing LGBTQ+ activist, offers 30 residential units for homeless youth aged from 18-23, providing them with training, mentorship, and a sense of community. Established in 2019, it currently accommodates about 50 residents, with programs designed to empower these young adults to pursue their dreams.
The program regularly provides job training, hosts LinkedIn and resume workshops, and offers referrals to various educational programs and trade schools. These initiatives are aimed at creating pathways to career exploration and sustainable employment.
While residents have access to housing as long as they need it, Shaniece Goodwain, 37, the program manager, said that because many of them are so young, she hopes they can eventually move out and unlock their full potential.
“We want you to grow and want more for yourself,” Goodwain said. “When you come in at 18, 19, 20, by the time you turn 25, you should pretty much, with our assistance, have narrowed down how you want to do things. We teach all the life skills so that they can be successful if they choose to leave.”
Williams, now 31 and has worked at Gloria Casarez Residence for over a year, said his job gives his life a sense of purpose. He mentors other young adults and occasionally leads art sessions. He hopes to use his personal journey to inspire others, helping them to recognize their self-worth and pursue their dreams.
“I’ve been blessed and been given so much support,” William said. “I want to be able to do that for people that are going through some of the similar things through some of the same stuff I went through.”
The program accepts applications from youths aged 18 to 23 who have experienced homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. To be eligible, applicants must have a minimum monthly income of $400, which can come from employment or social benefits programs. Rent , which varies from $0 to $9, is determined by each resident’s individual income.
While the program does not require applicants to identify as LGBTQ+ under the Fair Housing Act, it explicitly communicates its status as an LGBTQ-oriented residential community. According to Goodwain, about 90% of the residents are from the LGBTQ+ community.
Nationwide, young adult homelessness is on the rise, with a troubling 40 percent identifying as LGBTQ+. According to Goodwain, residents’ experiences of homelessness are often directly related to their sexuality.
While Philadelphia has several organizations catering to LGBTQ+ homeless youth, including Way Home and Morris Home, Gloria Casarez Residence remains the only permanent supportive housing in the city.
Only 9% of the existing homeless intervention programs are intended to lead to independent living, according to data from City of Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services. In the majority of long-term housing programs, residents are obliged to cover their rent after the residential assistance ends, usually lasting for up to one year.
But many LGBTQ+ youth, who have grappled with trauma and isolation from their peers, often do not have the necessary skills or mental capacity to sustain themselves once the rental assistance ends, Champan Butler, 27, a residential assistant, said. Unable to pay for the rent on their own, they become at risk of becoming homeless again.
“The permanent housing gives you security,” Butler said. “It gives you the realization that I don’t have to hurry up to get everything done. It gives you the time to go to school, and get a job. You don’t need to rush to do everything.”
Goodwain said many residents initially arrived with experiences of violence within their relationships, but many have since thrived. One resident recently got their driver’s license and bought their first car. Another resident, who has both mental and physical disability and struggles to find acceptance, recently got married. It was a relationship they never thought would be possible to them.
“I watch people coming in with a defeated attitude grow to view themselves in a different perspective,” Goodwain said. “Whatever your goal is, let’s work toward it. Whatever is in our way, we get through it together.”
While Gloria Casarez Residence continues to make strides, the demand for accommodations is significantly higher than its capacity. According to Goodwain, over 100 applicants currently await just two available spots. Goodwain said the turnover rate for the residents is low, with people typically staying for at least a year before they move out.
Goodwain said she hopes there can be more investment to expand the homeless intervention projects like Gloria Casarez Residence.
“The simple truth is, there are more homeless than the permits we have in the housing,” Goodwain said. “There is not enough funding to make sure everyone is housed.”
Goodwain said she also hopes to raise the age limit in various vocational training programs. Currently, many services restrict assistance to those under 24. Beyond this age threshold, individuals face restricted access to vital training programs and support.
“After you turn 24, there is pretty much no help other than the regular shelter system,” Goodwain said. “They have to work a regular job, pay full tuition to go to school… sometimes they feel defeated before they even start, because money is the issue.”
Despite these challenges, the dedicated staff at Gloria Casarez Residence remains committed to providing unparalleled support for its residents. They are currently organizing a prom set for October, to be held at a downtown hotel. The event will feature services from hairdressers and makeup artists, fostering an inclusive and liberating experience for LGBTQ+ youth who may have never before had the opportunity to attend or freely express themselves.
Butler said a resident told her they had to take a girl to their prom and wasn’t able to wear the dress as they wanted.
But this prom will be different, Butler said. No one is going to stop them for being who they are, what they identify as, and everyone gets to bring a date.
“Prom is classic, and a lot of LGBTQ+ young adults weren’t able to experience prom as they wanted to.” Butler said. “Just like a lot of other services here, we hope it is an opportunity for people to start over again, and reclaim what they once have given up on or have taken from them.”