Not Sorry Blog — detroit philanthropy

Affirmations is a LGBTQ+ community center that was founded in 1989, their mission is to provide a welcoming space for everyone to express themselves as they please. All gender identities, sexual expressions and cultures are welcome and can find support, socialize, will feel safe and have unconditional acceptance. Affirmations is more than just a building, they are authentically bringing love, inclusivity, hope and dreams to their youth and seniors.

We are so excited to be teamed up with them & Gathering Coffee Co to donate profits from our Pride goods! Profits will go towards supporting this amazing community center and the great work they do.

Here's a bit of what they do:

Offer resources for the youth like development and leadership programs- where they help mold the youth into becoming young adults with skills such as resume writing , mental health, racism, and much more.

Affirmations Angels is a senior program that help with the needed care of individuals that were affected by the HIV.AIDS crisis in the late 90's. In partnership with SAGE, Affirmations Angels provides non-medical assistance such as transportation, grocery shopping, light meal prep and other daily needs to the often marginalized members of the community. With COVID taking place they have zoom meetings frequently to check in, stay connected and complete grocery deliveries. 

Affirmations also provides support and discussion groups. These are free and intended for anyone who needs support, connection and community. Some of the different groups they have are coming out discussions, disability, gentle yoga, LGBTQ+ parents, mens discussion, LGBTQ+ people of color, and transgender and nonbinary discussions. These are all held virtually at the moment and can be found on their website. 

Other services they have include inclusion training, advocacy and health & wellness. If you are looking to volunteer, support, give or donate to this amazing center that wants to help individuals thrive in life you can do so right on their website under the get involved and support tabs. 

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Covid-19 has affected all of us in profound, life-changing ways, yet the most vulnerable in our community have had the most difficult hardships through this pandemic. During these unprecedented times, families and youth especially, are facing extraordinary crises. Many of our youth have nowhere else to turn during this time, especially with schools being closed (a fundamental resource for homeless youth).

The statistics on youth homelessness in Detroit are heart-breaking:

• 1 in 5 youth experiencing homelessness in Detroit are victims of human trafficking
• Each year, an estimated 4.2 million youth and young adults experience homelessness
• On any given night, approximately 41,000 unaccompanied youth experience homelessness
• Black and brown youth are 83% more likely to experience homelessness compared to their white peers
• Youth experiencing homelessness are at a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure, mental health challenges, educational disparities, and entering the juvenile justice system

Not Sorry Goods is proud to donate $500 as a youth sponsor to Detroit Phoenix Center, a nonprofit organization that responds to the needs of underserved and street-connected youth in Detroit. They support young people, ages 13-24, through direct services including a daily drop-in center for young adults (showers, washer/dryer, food pantry, computer lab, day beds, hygiene products, life skills classes etc.), after school enrichment programs for teens, a
youth action board, emergency crisis housing and a scholarship fund. They also works diligently for systemic change and contribute to the growing movement to end youth homelessness.

 As the devastating impact of COVID-19 continues to be realized, youth experiencing homelessness are incredibly vulnerable. DPC services are needed now more than ever before. Not Sorry Goods is proud to support Detroit Phoenix Center to ensure that vulnerable and homeless youth have access to critical resources, support, and a safe, nurturing environment.

This organization has made a huge impact this year, including highlights such as:

• Distributed over 5,000 care packages of essential goods and services to youth and families who would have otherwise gone without
• In the past 12 months, they have assisted 20 young adults to maintain permanent supportive housing
• In the past 6 months, they have provided over 50 emergency shelter hotel vouchers to youth who did not have a warm place to sleep at night
• They have provided 350+ hours of virtual programming (cooking classes, mental health support, homework helpline, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and more)to youth in the community

If you believe in this cause and would like to support, you can donate directly to Detroit Phoenix Center here.