About Us
Our mission…
To ensure that all LGBTQ youth in Philadelphia feel safe, supported and empowered to pursue their dreams.
We dream of…
A world in which all youth, regardless of their identity, have a place to call ‘home.’
What we do…
The Homeward Initiative was founded to address the dire lack of LGBTQ-affirming housing in Philadelphia. Using a $150,000 grant distributed by the University of Pennsylvania, the Homeward Initiative is developing a community-based solution to this housing shortage. Our host homes program will connect youth experiencing homelessness with vetted and caring adult volunteers, who will host the youth in their homes while they stabilize and move towards independence. By utilizing existing community resources, the Homeward Initiative will be able to provide holistic, cost-effective care tailored to the unique needs of each youth.
Homeward enjoys several partnerships that are key to the operation of the host homes pilot. Valley Youth House, an LGBTQ-youth serving community center, will serve as the central hub of the program, offering office space for program staff and a variety of supportive services for youth. Turning Points for Children, a children and family services non-profit, will oversee host recruitment, screening, and training. The Attic, a community center for LGBTQ youth, contributes invaluable LGBTQ youth-focused expertise and services. Point Source Youth, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness, will provide invaluable technical assistance on program design and implementation.
Who we are
Brendan Taliaferro, Founder/Executive Director
A 2019 graduate from the University of Pennsylvania with highest honors, Brendan founded The Homeward Initiative in April 2019 after being awarded the President's Engagement Prize and a $150,000 grant to establish Philadelphia's first LGBTQ Host Homes Program for youth. He was also a Benjamin Franklin Scholar, a Robert Fox Leadership Fellow, and a Civic Scholar.
Debra Isaacs Schafer
Consultant
Debra Isaacs Schafer will be spearheading strategy, communications, and operations, bringing years of business, consulting, and advocacy experience to our Host Homes Program. With a background in marketing, human resources, and education, she is actively involved in initiatives focusing on youth and college student homelessness and food insecurity.
Sharon Griffiths
Consultant
Sharon Griffiths will be overseeing our web design, development and the creation of marketing and outreach materials. Her background includes online content development, graphic design, and SEO and has experience working with nonprofit organizations and clients in the areas of education, consumer services, health & wellness and information technology.
Who we work with
Valley Youth House provides a home for vulnerable, abused and homeless youth; we partner with thousands of individuals to build a solid foundation for young people and their families.
Turning Points for Children has been providing social services and health services for children and families for 175 years. They currently serve over 9,000 individuals in Philadelphia
Point Source Youth is a nationwide non-profit working to scale-up effective solutions to end the crisis of youth homelessness.