Project HOME fundraiser seeks support for LGBT youth residence

Project HOME will host a fundraiser for the last piece of private funding to build the Gloria Casarez Residence, one of the commonwealth’s only low-income, LGBTQ-friendly residences for at-risk young adults.

The nonprofit is looking to raise $100,000 at its “Raise the Roof” fundraiser Nov. 14 at the residence site. Scarlett McCahill, special projects coordinator at Project HOME, said a portion of every residence built by the organization is funded privately.

“We’re nearing the finish line and this event will help galvanize support from the entire community,” she said.

Project HOME has raised more than $10 million from state grants and city funding for this project. The organization is in need of $3.1 million in private funding to complete the residence. So far, $2.5 million in private donations have been raised.

McCahill added that aside from the fundraiser, Project HOME is looking for sponsorships — starting at $500 — from community members and various companies to close the gap.

Project HOME provides housing, employment opportunities, medical care and education to homeless and low-income Philadelphians. The Casarez Residence, named for the local activist and city official who died in 2014, has been under construction for nearly a year and is expected to be completed in January. The four-story, 36,000-square-foot building will include 30 one-bedroom units of affordable housing targeted to young adults (ages 18-23) who are homeless, have experienced homelessness or are at risk of homelessness, including those aging out of foster care.

McCahill said while many organizations “provide services to young adults in crisis and emergency, “none of them are designed with an expressed intent to be inclusive, welcoming and healing for young people who have experienced homelessness or are existing in foster care and identify as LGBTQ.”

McCahill added that the Casarez Residence is the nonprofit’s step towards providing housing for young adults experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia, an estimated 40 percent of whom identify as LGBTQ. Project HOME currently provides housing to more than 50 young adults through the Neubauer Catalyst for Young Adults Program. Other Project HOME permanent-housing residences include the JBJ Soul Homes, the Francis House of Peace and the Ruth Williams House.

The event will feature music, a short ballroom-scene performance and hard-hat tours of the construction site. The fundraiser will recognize John Alchin, former executive vice president and co-chief financial officer of Comcast, and Hal Marryatt. 

Tickets for “Raise the Roof” are $75. Project HOME will raffle off free tickets until Nov. 7. McCahill added that the nonprofit is giving away more than 10 tickets to make the event “inclusive and accessible to all regardless of income.” 

The “Raise the Roof” fundraiser will be 6-9:00 p.m. Nov. 14 at 1315 N. 8th St. To purchase tickets, visit https://projecthome.org/raise-roof. To enter the free-ticket raffle, email [email protected].

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