Oak Grove Sanctuary Palm Springs Helps Emancipating LGBTQ+ Foster Youth Rebuild Trust, Identity, and Hope
At Oak Grove Center, our mission is to rebuild the lives of at-risk youth—including young people who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. During Pride Month, we are proud to spotlight Oak Grove Sanctuary Palm Springs, our supportive housing program for LGBTQ+ youth ages 18 – 21 who are transitioning out of the foster care system.
The Issue: LGBTQ+ Youth, Housing Instability, and Foster Care
LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to experience homelessness or housing instability than their straight peers: nearly one third of LGBTQ+ youth have reported experiencing homelessness or an unstable living situation at some point in their lives. Many are rejected at home, or are kicked out of their home, because of their sexual identity.
Similarly, LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately represented in foster care, making up one third of the population of youth in foster care nationally. While they may enter the foster care system for the same reasons as other youth, many of them enter with the added experience of having been mistreated or abused because of their sexuality or gender identity. What’s more, LGBTQ+ youth in foster care may be treated differently when they are in the system, or as they transition to living independently.
For these young people, housing is much more than a strictly practical concern. Without a safe, supportive home environment, they are at much greater risk for mental health challenges such as depression, self-harm, and substance use. They are also at a much higher risk for suicide: LGBTQ+ youth are already five times as likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers — and that number increases for youth in foster care.
However, having just one accepting adult in their lives can dramatically decrease the risk of suicide. This is just one example of how loving relationships and a stable environment can positively impact their mental health and their outlook on the future. This is what we focus on providing at Sanctuary.
Our Approach: A Stable, Supportive Sanctuary for LGBTQ+ Youth
Oak Grove Sanctuary offers a family-style home environment. Each young person has their own bedroom for privacy, and common areas are shared to help build trust and community. In addition to housing, residents receive support for vocational training, college, or technical education; coaching in life skills and conflict resolution; therapy sessions, and more specialized services designed to help them break unhealthy cycles and successfully transition to independent living.
“Working with these young adults is more than therapy—it’s about rebuilding trust, identity, and hope,” says Misty Kerrigan, Oak Grove Center’s Director of Community Based Programs. “Every session is a chance to help them recognize their own strength and begin shaping a future they once thought was out of reach.”
In addition to helping vulnerable youth meet their basic needs and become self-sufficient adults, the team works to surround them with positivity and support to help them heal, grow, and move into the next chapter of their lives. This approach works. One former resident described their experience with Sanctuary as, “the first placement that I have stayed at the longest, because it feels like home.”
Help LGBTQ+ Youth Build a Better Future
During Pride Month and every month, we are committed to supporting at-risk LGBTQ+ youth and empowering them to build healthier futures for themselves. If you know a foster youth who meets the criteria for residence and could benefit from joining us at Oak Grove Sanctuary Palm Springs, please encourage them to apply. You may also contact Misty Kerrigan at MistyK@oakgrovecenter.org or info@oakgrovecenter.org with any questions about Oak Grove Sanctuary’s programs and services.
If you would like more information about how to support the mission of Oak Grove Sanctuary Palm Springs, please contact Romy Fazeli, Oak Grove Center’s Events & Fund Development Coordinator, at RomyF@oakgrovecenter.org.