Lauper Brings True Colors To NYC Homeless Youth

The True Colors Residence, which takes its name from Lauper’s 1986 hit song and the title of her second album, will open in Central Harlem Sept. 1, according to the website for New York City AM and FM public radio stations WYNC. The residence is geared toward youth 18-24 years old.

The singer/songwriter/actress and LGBT rights activist collaborated on bringing the 30-bed housing facility to fruition with her manager Lisa Barbaris and the West End Intergenerational Residence and its executive director Colleen Jackson. The West End residence in NYC’s Upper West Side provides temporary housing and services to homeless young mothers and their children and permanent supportive housing to formerly homeless and low-income older adults.

“Without [Lauper], the residence definitely would not be built,” Jackson told People magazine, which reported in December 2010 that the singer’s non-profit True Colors Fund would help provide financial support for the residence.

The West End Intergenerational Residence website describes the True Colors Residence as the first permanent, supportive housing facility for LGBT youth in New York state.

A message from Lauper posted on the True Color Residence’s website says that she was inspired to help create the residence because of the high percentage (up to 40 percent) of homeless youth that identify as LGBT. 

“Even more disturbing are reports that these young people often face discrimination and at times physical assault in some of the very places they have [gone] to for help,” Lauper said. “This is shocking and inexcusable!”

The True Colors Residence is a new, modern building featuring a studio apartment for each resident in addition to indoor and outdoor community space. Lauper’s message explains that the 30 residents will pay rent based on their income. Ongoing assistance in obtaining employment based on the residents’ individual interests and skills will be available along with other social and education support services.

“Our primary goal is to provide a physically and emotionally safe and supportive environment that will empower our young residents to be the self-loving, happy, and successful individuals they were meant to be,” she said.

For more information, click here for the West End Intergenerational Residence’s website

Click here for the story from WNYC.

Click here for the People magazine story.