Supporting LGBTQIA+ Foster Youth During PRIDE & Beyond

Meghan Renken
Jun 2
2 min read

Every young person deserves to feel seen, safe & celebrated. Yet for LGBTQIA+ youth in foster care, that right is often met with rejection, instability & a lack of affirming support.

At Ticket to Dream, we believe that embracing all identities is essential to helping foster youth thrive not just during PRIDE Month, but every day of the year.

The Reality LGBTQIA+ Foster Youth Face

LGBTQIA+ youth are overrepresented in foster care & they face unique challenges that require intentional support.

According to a study by the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, 30.4% of youth in foster care identify as LGBTQIA+, compared to about 11.2% of youth in the general population. These young people are also more likely to experience:

Multiple foster home placement changes
Higher rates of homelessness after aging-out
Discrimination or mistreatment within care
Mental health challenges due to rejection or isolation

These challenges aren’t just statistics, they’re lived experiences.

How We’re Showing Up

Ticket to Dream is committed to creating a network of care that affirms, uplifts & empowers LGBTQIA+ foster youth. Through our Ally Program, we provide targeted support in collaboration with our nonprofit partners who understand the nuanced needs of these youth.

Our impact includes:

Funding safe, affirming housing & placements
Supporting access to gender-affirming clothing & hygiene products
Providing mental health resources tailored to LGBTQIA+ youth
Offering inclusive extracurricular & identity-affirming experiences
Training partners & caregivers in cultural humility & inclusion

What PRIDE Means to Us

For us, PRIDE Month is a time to make sure every LGBTQIA+ foster youth knows they are not alone. Whether it’s helping these youth to purchase affirming clothing, giving them a safe place to express themselves, or funding a Pride event at a group home, our work is rooted in love, dignity & equity.