Sanctuary Palm Springs to house LGBT foster teens

Sanctuary Palm Springs is where different is normal. The family home will soon house six LGBT people between the ages 18 and 21, as they transition out of foster care into the real world. It’ll be the first group home of its kind for LGBT foster youth in Southern California

“The importance of this program is to keep kids that are LGBT off the streets,” said founder David Rothmiller.

Of more than 4,000 kids in foster care in Riverside County, the founders said about 700 of them say they are lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender or questioning. The focus at the sanctuary is education, arts and mentorship.

“Get their feet underneath them and really feel like they have a supportive environment in which to grow and get the skills they need to actually be on their own,” said founder LD Thompson.

Thompson and Rothmiller said they’re happy to have a home to offer.

“This house and the neighborhood it’s in, was originally built for the veterans, to come here to recuperate. So it’s kind of ironic how it can come full circle to help more Americans in need,” said homeowner Alex Roldan.

The founders said the need for the sanctuary is obvious and the goal is to open more like it.

“We’re getting calls from across the state and across the country,” said Rothmiller.

After some delays with Riverside County, the sanctuary will get funding from San Bernardino County per child.

The sanctuary needs your help. It needs donations of everything from furniture to computers, and it needs volunteers and mentors.

“We are very excited about this because we know we can help,” said actor and sanctuary supporter John Barrowman.

Once it gets certification from the state, the plan is to open Sanctuary Palm Springs in January.

For more information about Sanctuary Palm Springs, how you can donate and volunteer, go to www.sanctuarypalmsprings.org