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How SMYAL is helping LGBTQ youths in D.C.

The local organization is changing lives.
Credit: SMYAL Facebook

WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — According to a 2017 Census, 31% of homeless youths in D.C. identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or queer/questioning. Many LGBTQ teens get kicked out of their homes or run away. It's imperative they have a safe space to seek shelter and express themselves freely.

SMYAL (Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League) was founded in 1984 to meet the needs of LGBTQ youths in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. By creating after-school programs and counseling services, SMYAL has empowered teens to develop their leadership skills and further their education. 

With help from the community, SMYAL offers a scholarship every year to graduating high school students. Easterns Automotive Group recently donated $2500 to the organization. The funds can be used any way the students like; towards tuition, books, or housing. Addison Moore, a member and now Outreach Coordinator for SMYAL, received the scholarship last year.

"I used the scholarship in order to get housing, and that made me feel super confident," said Moore. Moore is an aspiring documentarian who wants to give a voice to other members of the LGBTQ community. "The scholarship made that dream achievable." It's easier to dream when you have a safe place to sleep at night.

This article is sponsored by Easterns Automotive Group, a proud donor to SMYAL. 

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