[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.93″ inner_width=”auto” inner_max_width=”1080px” next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_fullwidth_image src=”http:\/\/houston2018.nextgenradio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2018\/01\/header_photo2_web.jpg” _builder_version=”3.0.93″]<\/p>\n
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[\/et_pb_fullwidth_image][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ custom_padding=”50px||5px|” inner_width=”auto” inner_max_width=”1080px” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”rgba(226,226,226,0.5)”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.51″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”80%” max_width=”1080px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ custom_padding__hover=”|||” custom_padding=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Headline” _builder_version=”3.0.93″ text_text_color=”#1a1a1a” header_font=”Roboto|||on|||||” header_font_size=”44px” header_line_height=”1.3em” text_orientation=”left”]<\/p>\n
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\nJermaine Harmon works with the Salvation Army to make the lives of Houston\u2019s LGBTQ homeless a little easier, one person at a time. | BY RAFA FARIHAH<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ custom_padding=”26.609375px|0px|10px|0px” width=”80%” max_width=”1080px”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ background_position=”top_left” custom_padding__hover=”|||” custom_padding=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Story Text” disabled_on=”off|off|off%22%22″ _builder_version=”3.0.93″ text_font=”Roboto||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.9em” custom_padding=”30px|||” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left”]<\/p>\n \nIf he can encourage just one homeless kid to stay in school or leave an abusive relationship, Jermaine Harmon believes he has done his job well.<\/span><\/p>\n Harmon, the development specialist at Houston\u2019s <\/span>Salvation Army Young Adult Resource Center<\/span><\/a> (YARC), is committed to increasing access to the resources homeless kids need, including housing and education.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe just permanently housed [someone] at Texas Southern University,\u201c says Harmon. \u201cThis year, he was like \u2018I think I wanna go to college,\u2019 so we started having those preliminary conversations.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n One year later, Harmon\u2019s mentee has completed his first year of school. He still visits YARC for Tuesday meals and checks in with old friends.<\/span><\/p>\n YARC works in collaboration with <\/span>Tony\u2019s Place<\/span><\/a>, an LGBTQ drop-in center that provides a dependable, safe space for young people living on the streets. The center offers free hot meals, hygiene kits, backpacks and shower and laundry facilities, according to its website. <\/span><\/p>\n Harmon, who identifies as a black gay male, says his experiences with the Salvation Army have been positive, despite<\/span> allegations the organization <\/span>discriminates<\/span><\/a> against the LGBTQ community.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c[Our leadership] has done an amazing job at creating an environment and a tone of acceptance,” says Harmon, “and really just living in your own truth and being who you are.”<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Jermaine Harmon” background_layout=”light” _builder_version=”3.0.93″ body_font_size=”30″]<\/p>\n \n\u201cYou\u2019re not intentionally wanting to break the law, but it\u2019s snowing outside…”<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ background_position=”top_left” custom_padding__hover=”|||” custom_padding=”|||”][et_pb_audio title=”Listen to Jermaine’s story” artist_name=”Rafa Farihah” album_name=”Next Generation Radio” image_url=”http:\/\/houston2018.nextgenradio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2018\/01\/3_web.jpg” _builder_version=”3.0.93″ background_color=”#7EBEC5″ audio=”http:\/\/houston2018.nextgenradio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2018\/01\/Rafa_Jermaine.mp3″ background_layout=”dark”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_audio][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”205154,205155,205158,205162,205161,205160,205159,205157″ fullwidth=”on” hover_icon=”%%47%%” _builder_version=”3.0.93″ caption_text_align=”left” pagination_font_size_tablet=”51″ pagination_line_height_tablet=”2″ border_width_all=”1px” text_orientation=”left”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_gallery][et_pb_text admin_label=”Caption Text” disabled_on=”off|off|off%22%22″ _builder_version=”3.0.51″ text_font=”Arial||on||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.9em” custom_padding=”30px|||” border_style=”solid” text_orientation=”left”]<\/p>\n \nThe entrance to the Salvation Army Young Adult Resource Center (YARC) and LGBTQ shelter “Tony\u2019s Place” is the beginning of a new journey for many homeless in Houston after Harvey.\u00a0(Photo: Chantal de la Rionda | Next Generation Radio)<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”10px|0px|11px|0px” width=”80%” max_width=”1080px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ custom_padding__hover=”|||” custom_padding=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Story Text” disabled_on=”off|off|off%22%22″ _builder_version=”3.0.93″ text_font=”Roboto||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.9em” custom_padding=”30px|||” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left”]<\/p>\n According to the\u00a0<\/span>2017 census<\/span><\/a>, 3,412 people in Houston, Harris County and Fort Bend County qualified as homeless, which means they did not have \u201ca fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.\u201d After Hurricane Harvey was <\/span>declared a major disaster<\/span><\/a>, it is likely the number of displaced residents has increased. <\/span><\/p>\n Things have only become worse for those already in difficult living situations. Harmon says many of the members who sleep in abandoned buildings, known as \u2018bandos,\u2019 receive trespassing charges. YARC works with courts to dismiss these charges, with the understanding that after the hurricane, people are trying to find a way to survive on the streets.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not intentionally wanting to break the law, but it\u2019s snowing outside or <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> raining outside and this window is already broken so I\u2019m just gonna climb in and sleep on the floor,” says Harmon about the homeless experience. “I\u2019m not hurting anyone.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Members receive the hot meals, clothing and care they need at the drop-in center. However, Harmon mentions that some homeless youths exchange sex for a place to stay at night, also known as \u201c<\/span>survival sex<\/span><\/a>.\u201d Whatever money is earned often goes toward supporting a drug and alcohol dependency, rather than rent, says Harmon.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite the numerous cases of drug dealing and sex trade, Harmon counts the little successes in his day, whether it’s handing out bus tickets to those who need to get to job interviews, securing housing for members, or even meeting with former members.<\/span><\/p>\n Harmon says he\u2019s motivated to come into work each morning by helping the homeless youths achieve their goals. \u201cThey\u2019ll say \u2018Oh, I don\u2019t have my GED today but I\u2019m going to work with Mr. Jermaine and the Houston Community College (HCC).\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Harvey has forced thousands of Houston residents out of their homes, but as Harmon walks through the Salvation Army halls plastered with posters of resources for the youth, <\/span>he thinks back on the day after the hurricane first hit and <\/span>reassures himself that it\u2019s going to be <\/span>alright.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI noticed our common area in the YARC space had been filled with random donations and it\u2019s like \u2018Oh, where did all of this stuff come from?\u2019\u201d says Harmon, \u201cThe reception hall was full of people..My thought was…\u2018I made it. We made it.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ background_color=”rgba(226,226,226,0.5)” _builder_version=”3.0.93″ custom_padding=”3px|0px|10px|0px” inner_width=”auto” inner_max_width=”1080px” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#233b4e”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”26.609375px|0px|2px|0px” width=”80%” max_width=”1080px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ custom_padding__hover=”|||” custom_padding=”|||”][et_pb_divider color=”#ed4441″ show_divider=”on” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”3px” height=”false” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ hide_on_mobile=”off”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”80%” max_width=”1080px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ custom_padding__hover=”|||” custom_padding=”|||”][et_pb_number_counter admin_label=”Number Counter: 1.6M” title=”Young people experience homelessness in the US every year.” number=”1,600,000″ percent_sign=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.93″ title_text_color=”#000000″ number_text_color=”#e02b20″ background_layout=”light”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_number_counter][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.93″ width=”80%” max_width=”1080px”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ custom_padding__hover=”|||” custom_padding=”|||”][et_pb_circle_counter admin_label=”Circle Counter: 30″ title=”Homeless clients utilize housing programs” number=”30″ background_layout=”dark” bar_bg_color=”#e02b20″ circle_color=”#ffffff” circle_color_alpha=”0.7″ _builder_version=”3.0.93″ title_text_color=”#e02b20″ number_font=”|500|||||||” number_text_color=”#e02b20″ percent_sign=”on”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_circle_counter][et_pb_circle_counter admin_label=”Circle Counter: 40″ title=”Homeless youth identify as LGBT” number=”40″ background_layout=”dark” bar_bg_color=”#e02b20″ circle_color=”#ffffff” circle_color_alpha=”0.7″ _builder_version=”3.0.93″ title_text_color=”#e02b20″ number_font=”|500|||||||” number_text_color=”#e02b20″ percent_sign=”on”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_circle_counter][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ custom_padding__hover=”|||” custom_padding=”|||”][et_pb_circle_counter admin_label=”Circle Counter: 43″ title=”Clients served identify as LGBT” number=”43″ background_layout=”dark” bar_bg_color=”#e02b20″ circle_color=”#ffffff” circle_color_alpha=”0.7″ _builder_version=”3.0.93″ title_text_color=”#e02b20″ number_font=”|500|||||||” number_text_color=”#e02b20″ percent_sign=”on”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_circle_counter][et_pb_circle_counter admin_label=”Circle Counter: 7″ title=”Estimated population is LGBT youth” number=”7″ background_layout=”dark” bar_bg_color=”#e02b20″ circle_color=”#ffffff” circle_color_alpha=”0.7″ _builder_version=”3.0.93″ title_text_color=”#e02b20″ number_font=”|500|||||||” number_text_color=”#e02b20″ percent_sign=”on”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_circle_counter][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ custom_padding__hover=”|||” custom_padding=”|||”][et_pb_circle_counter admin_label=”Circle Counter: 33″ title=”Street outreach clients identify as LGBT” number=”33″ background_layout=”dark” bar_bg_color=”#e02b20″ circle_color=”#ffffff” circle_color_alpha=”0.7″ _builder_version=”3.0.93″ title_text_color=”#e02b20″ number_font=”|500|||||||” number_text_color=”#e02b20″ percent_sign=”on”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_circle_counter][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text: Sources” _builder_version=”3.0.93″ text_orientation=”left”]<\/p>\n \nSource: USHUD Dec 2017 and Williams Institute, 2012<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”10px|0px|9px|0px” width=”80%” 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custom_padding__hover=”|||” custom_padding=”|||” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text global_parent=”204703″ _builder_version=”3.0.93″ text_font=”Source Sans Pro|on|||” text_font_size=”18″ text_text_color=”#666666″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”||8px|” text_orientation=”left”]<\/p>\n ABOUT NEXTGEN RADIO<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text global_parent=”204703″ _builder_version=”3.0.93″ text_font=”Source Sans Pro||||” text_font_size=”18″ text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_line_height=”2.2em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px|||” border_style=”solid” text_orientation=”left”]<\/p>\n About the program<\/a> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ global_parent=”204703″ custom_padding__hover=”|||” custom_padding=”|||” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text: TALK” global_parent=”204703″ _builder_version=”3.0.51″ 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text_font=”Source Sans Pro||||” text_font_size=”18″ text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_line_height=”2.2em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px|||” text_orientation=”left”]<\/p>\nA way to survive<\/h2>\n
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