OUTLOUD: Raising Voices, a three-day music festival at WEHO Pride, June 3 - 5, has announced a partnership in support of Covenant House California (CHC), a non-profit homeless shelter that provides sanctuary and support services for youth ages 18-24 overcoming homelessness. This partnership will help to raise funds and awareness for CHC’s LGBTQ+ programs through the increased visibility during West Hollywood Pride.
As part of the sponsorship, OUTLOUD will highlight Covenant House California’s mission to support LGBTQ+ youth during WEHO Pride Parade and the OUTLOUD: Raising Voices music festival. Starting with festival tickets, consumers have the option to round up the dollar amount when buying a weekend or single day festival pass online with the additional funds being donated to CHC. OUTLOUD’s festival will also create moments to highlight CHC throughout the WEHO Pride weekend from ‘calls to donate’ on the stage to signage throughout the space featuring QR codes where attendees can donate directly to the non-profit. OUTLOUD will also sponsor free festival tickets for Covenant House California youth as well as host the organization in the iconic Pride Parade on June 5.
“While OUTLOUD: Raising Voices was started as a personal mission to increase the visibility of LGBTQ+ musicians, I believe it is our responsibility to also increase the visibility around those in our community who need it most, ” said JJLA Founder & CEO Jeff Consoletti. “I’m excited to be able to shine our OUTLOUD spotlight on Covenant House California and it’s instrumental programs that support LGBTQ+ youth overcoming homelessness.”
Roughly 40% of the young people overcoming homelessness at Covenant House California identify as LGBTQ+. Some of the trauma-informed programs CHC provides to their LGBTQ+ young people include housing, physical & mental health care, case management, support groups, and life skills. According to Voice of Youth Court, LGBTQ+ youth are more than twice as likely to experience homelessness as their non-LGBTQ+ peers. While LGBTQ+ youth make up only 7% of the total U.S. youth population, they comprise an astounding 40% of all young people experiencing homelessness in the country, according to one estimate from True Colors United.
“It is so important for our LGBTQ+ youth to see members from their own community supporting them in impactful ways,” said Covenant House California CEO, Bill Bedrossian. “Covenant House California is dedicated to addressing the inequalities our LGBTQ+ youth face, and with partners like OUTLOUD’s support, we can continue to provide our youth with skills and programs to give them the best path for a bright and successful future.”
For additional information on OUTLOUD: Raising Voices Music Festival at WEHO Pride, please stay tuned and follow along at http://weareoutloud.com, and on social at @OfficiallyOUTLOUD.
To donate to Covenant House of California programs or to learn more, visit: www.covenanthousecalifornia.org