2020_06_Blues_Final_Reduced

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giving backSPOTLIGHT ON » THE RAIN FOUNDATIONVITALSMISSION:To address housinginsecurity inLGBTQ+ youngadults aged 18-26 inEssex County.SERVICES:RAIN offers emergency,transitionaland permanenthousing, alongwith individualizedcase-managementservices, as well assubstance-abuseand mental-healthscreening.FOUNDED:2013HOW TO HELP:Become a RAINvolunteer, or donateto the foundation atessexlgbthousing.org/get-involvedCONTACT:Visit essexlgbthousing.orgor call 973-675-6780Better Weather AheadYoung adults find a supportive environment ata unique LGBTQ shelter in East Orange.when claire wright was kicked out of herresidence last fall, she had nowhere to go. Thenshe learned about RAIN. “It ended up being theperfect fit,” says the 24-year-old.The typical homeless shelter provides forbasic needs. The Essex County RAIN Foundationoffers that and more to LGBTQ-identifyingyoung adults agesd18-26.RAIN founder and executive director ElaineHelms worked in the World Trade Center’s LifeSafety Department and was on site when it wasattacked on 9/11. The chest, back and neck injuriesshe sustained that day continue to plague her, andshe has PTSD-related episodes. The trauma sether on a path of helping others as a nurse. Duringher time as an intern, she witnessed several transgenderwomen offering sexual favors outside heroffice just to earn a place to sleep. “They explainedthey didn’t feel safe in normal shelters,” she says.“My heart told me I needed to do something.”Today, RAIN—which stands for Reaching Adolescentsin Need—provides emergency shelter for upto 12 LGBTQ young adults at itsEast Orange facility. Residents getcase managers who connect themto the services they need. RAINoffers weekly support groups andmental-health counseling, as wellas financial-management seminarsand career training throughits partner agencies. “They haveresources for everything anybodycould need,” says Wright.RAIN is unique in its focuson the LGBTQ community. Of the estimated 4.2million youth who experience homelessnesseach year, up to 40 percent identify as LGBTQ,according to the organization True Colors United.A University of Chicago study found 62 percentof homeless LGBTQ youths had been physicallyabused. RAIN provides services under the federalVictims of Crime Act (VOCA), which helps victimsof sexual crimes. The foundation is supported“There’s no lackof spirit andartistic visionin the RAINhouse.”—Volunteer Rebecca Kingby grants and individual donations.The supportive atmosphere at RAIN helps residentsovercome their challenges and achieve success.The RAIN staff—mostly volunteers—operates24 hours a day. The volunteers, like Rebecca King,engage with residents, oftendiscovering their true talents.“I noticed just how artisticand creative nearly everyresident was,” says King. “Theytold me about the music theywere working on, sang songsthey wrote, performed dances,talked about starting up fashionstudios and art spaces. There’sno lack of spirit and artistic visionin the RAIN house.”While sheltering in place during the Covid-19emergency, residents had time to bond and sharemovie and game nights. Wright, who is still a RAINresident, helped make masks for housemates.To Helms, that was proof of RAIN’s success. “Imeasure it by the kids and their actions and whatthey get out of it,” says Helms. “When they gainsustainability...that shows me the success of RAIN.”—Royal Thomas IIFOR UPCOMING BENEFITS, GO TO NJMONTHLY.COMSEND PICTURES OF YOUR RECENT FUND-RAISER TO GIVINGBACK@NJMONTHLY.COMhome baseClaire Wright,a resident atthe LGBTQfocusedhomelessshelter RAINin East Orange,sews masks forher housematesamidthe Covid-19pandemic.PHOTOGRAPH: COURTESY OF THE RAIN FOUNDATION26 JUNE 2020 NJMONTHLY.COM
stylephileEDITED BY DEBORAH CARTER AND SUSAN BRIERLY BUSH1.2.3.HauteHomebodiesIsolating at home? That doesn’t meanyou can’t kick back in style. — Susan Brierly Bush4.5.PHOTOGRAPHS: COURTESY OF THE MANUFACTURERS1. About FaceCan’t get to the spa?Rejuvenate your skinwith all-natural lotions,serums and scrubs; $18-$150 at nylskincare.com.2. Get CraftyChannel your creativespirit by painting awatercolor masterpiece.Handmade box set;$29.50 at indigo.com.3. Pajama PartyAll pima cotton LongWeekend loungewearset is comfy day or night.Assorted styles; $98from jijamas.com.4. Hands DownWhen frequent sanitizingmakes hands dry,moisturize with naturalshea-butter soap; $6 abar at Wegman’s stores.5. Après WorkHave a happier happyhour with delivery of afavorite wine. Prices varyat Amanti Vino in Montclairand Morristown.JUNE 2020 NEW JERSEY MONTHLY 27
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