"No Housing! No Future!"

YOUNG ACTIVISTS RALLY TO DEMAND SOLUTION TO YOUTH HOMELESSNESS

Detroit, MI -- July, 15, 2011. A group of Detroit activists and others from around the country protested today, demanding an end to a growing youth homelessness problem in this city. The demonstration occurred outside City Hall in front of the Spirit of Detroit statue at 12:30 p.m.

See pictures: http://larrybryant.smugmug.com/Activism/2011-C2EA-Youth-Action/18065123_h23jBW/
See video: http://www.vimeo.com/c2eayouth

?We demand that lawmakers increase funding focused on programs that address homelessness,? said Autumn Mays, a 22-year-old who first became homeless at 17. Since, she?s been in and out of stable housing. ?It?s tiring, it?s stressful, I go through depressing moments. It?s stopped me from being able to get employment, or to continue with school because I?m always worried: ?Am I going to be put out today, am I going to be homeless???

On any given night in Detroit, 18,000 people are in need of shelter. Twenty-five percent of them are children. This represents an enormous increase over years past.*

?There?s no way we can go back to Detroit?s glory days without housing opportunities for our youth,? said Carrie Rheingans, a Michigan native and activist with the Campaign to End AIDS.

At the rally, protesters chanted ?No home! No Care! Help the homeless get their share!? Car honks filled the downtown area as activists waved signs reading ?Honk 4 Detroit! Honk 4 Housing!? City employees, families, policeman and truck drivers stopped and expressed their support.

Activists are calling on federal, state, and local lawmakers to increase funding that keeps youth in their homes. As young people living in Michigan, we are aware that budgets are tight. But programs that keep youth off the streets is an investment in Michigan?s economy. Years down the road, homeless youth have a significantly higher chance of being incarcerated, unemployed, or needing expensive emergency health services. Not only is youth homelessness an alarming problem that ignores the human rights of thousands of Michigan citizens, but it will cause an economic strain in the future.

Programs that keep youth in their homes are ones we can?t afford to lose--not now, and not in the future.

The activists are members of the Campaign to End AIDS, a coalition of young people from across the country who are fighting to end AIDS and homelessness. C2EA members are in Detroit this week for the Youth Action Institute, where they are learning critical advocacy skills.