March 7, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(WASHINGTON, DC) In a world of increasing chaos and uncertainty, Sasha Bruce Youthwork chooses stability. We choose hope. And as always, we choose to stand together for the most vulnerable among us.
Recent federal budget freezes and a series of concerning executive actions threaten the very fabric of support systems designed to protect and empower homeless youth, particularly those who are disproportionally affected like LGBTQ+, Latino, and African American youth.
These actions create a climate of fear and instability, exacerbating the challenges already faced by young people on the margins. These aren’t just abstract budget freezes; they freeze the lifelines of young people struggling to survive. They introduce uncertainty into the dreams of youth striving for a better future.
These are uncertainties that deepen the chasms of inequality and injustice.
For youth experiencing homelessness or at risk for the same, stability is not a luxury; it’s vital. It’s the foundational bedrock upon which they can begin to rebuild their lives, heal from trauma, and envision a future beyond survival. It’s presence allows them to focus on education, job training, and personal growth and grow the resilient flame that exists in them all.
Hostility and unpredictability are far too familiar to young people, but in this moment rife with chaos and uncertainty, we choose to be the unwavering anchor, the safe harbor, the trusted presence that some of our region’s most vulnerable youth have relied on for 50 years.
There is a resilient flame in Maria, a bright Latina teen who, after fleeing violence at home, found a home and a future at Sasha Bruce. There is a resilient flame in David, a young Black man who, after aging out of the foster care system, found the support he needed to secure a job and build a path to independence. There is a resilient flame in Jackie, a transgender youth who, after facing bullying and discrimination, found a sanctuary at our Prince George’s County drop-in center, a place where they could finally be their authentic self. We feel it and see the promise, determination and courage that it reflects in them all.
These are not just stories; they are the faces of the youth we serve. And they are at risk.
These budget freezes and policy changes directly jeopardize them and the vital programs that have been sources of stability and hope – programs that offer not just shelter, but also counseling, educational support, job training, legal assistance, and, most importantly, a sense of belonging.
They threaten our ability to provide free transitional housing, a crucial stepping stone towards self-sufficiency. They threaten our signature AFFIRM program, which offers free counseling to LGBTQ+ youth and their families, fostering understanding and preventing homelessness before it begins. They threaten our ability to be there for the young people who need us most.
We refuse to let uncertainty dictate the fate of our youth. We refuse to stand by while their futures are jeopardized. We refuse to allow these policies to silence their voices and extinguish their dreams. We choose to be the constant in their lives, the beacon of hope in a turbulent world. We choose to empower them to move from simply surviving to truly thriving.
We, of course, have witnessed the transformative power of our work firsthand. You likely have as well. But in this critical moment, our unwavering and dedicated staff cannot support our youth alone. We need you to stand with us.
Our goal is to raise $1 million by June 30th. This critical funding will bridge the projected budget shortfall, create a strategic reserve to weather future uncertainties, and ensure we can continue to provide these crucial services in the face of escalating threats. It will allow us to continue to be a source of stability in a world that is increasingly chaotic.
To show their commitment to this effort, our Board of Directors has offered to match every donation received through June 30 up to $250,000.
Your donation is more than just a contribution; it’s an investment in the future of our community. It’s a powerful statement that you, too, choose stability over chaos. You, too, choose hope over despair. You, too, choose to stand with us in defense of our most vulnerable youth.
Join us. Be the bedrock. Be the hope. Be the change. Be the reason a young person has a chance to reach their full potential.
Donate today at give.sashabruce.org/
#ChooseStability #InvestInYouth #MoreThanShelter #SashaBruceYouthwork
