By now, you have heard of the economic crisis in the United States and globally. The implications of the crisis have far reaching effects that have unfortunately and exponentially, impacted small indigenous groups who work tirelessly to improve the lives of our youth, our communities and our nation.

With a record $9 trillion US budget deficit, health, wellness and civic programs for youth as well as critical access to education are in jeopardy. As the US’s fiscal problem heighten, the needs of disenfranchised and impoverished communities continue to grow.  Because people are living in desperate times, are under stress or in pain and lack the money to care for themselves and/or their families; violence and/or violent crimes increase in our homes and community, education is under prioritized and rates of HIV, STDs and other health-related problems implode.

The House of Blahnik (HOB) has, and continues to respond to these issues and many more since its inception in 2000. HOB is a premiere national health and human service provider, specifically addressing education, leadership development, advocacy, HIV/AIDS and provides ongoing mentorship to at-risk lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. The HOB has membership in fourteen states; including: California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and North & South Carolina. The HOB’s mission is, “…to positively affect the overall development, health and wellness of its members, the larger lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities of color and their allies; while providing nurturing safe spaces for self-expression and continued growth.”

The HOB is one of the few places left for LGBT youth who participate in, or are affiliated with, the house/ball community. It is the only indigenous house who works with local not-for-profit organizations (in several states) to conduct research, health education and intervention to its peers. Lastly, the HOB has the unique distinction of providing the only national scholarship opportunity for persons in house/ball community. Last year, its first scholarship recipient graduated from Morehouse, a historically black college in Atlanta, GA; while another scholar is presently attending North Carolina Central University.

We are asking that you consider giving what you can. You contribution, of any size, will make a huge difference in the lives of over 5,000 people who are positively affected directly by our efforts. A $50 donation could provide two hours of intensive sexual health education or counseling to a young person who may be struggling with their sexual orientation that could decrease the likelihood of becoming HIV and/or STD infected. A $200 donation could ensure that one LGBT youth gets to our annual leadership development retreat; while $1,000 could help to ensure access to college; which keeps our youth and young adults off the street- giving them access to a computer lab, counselors, homework assistance and ongoing support.

We do all of this and more because of you. Your support is what allows us to make a difference in the lives of so many youth. Please consider making an end of the year tax deductible contribution. With your help, the HOB can continue to provide access to education, mobilize community, and support health & human services throughout the country during national budgetary cutbacks.

The HOB is under the fiscal management of the Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA) Project, Inc., a New York State non profit organization. Please send your tax deductible contributions to:

MOCHA Project, Inc.
c/o HOB Scholarship Fund
531 Virginia Street
Buffalo, New York 14202

If you would like to learn more about our programs and services, please do not hesitate to contact me at (216) 798-8467 or visit our web site at www.houseofblahnik.org. We thank you in advance for your support.
Again, thank you,

Damon L. Humes, MHS
Founder

The House of Manolo Blahnik, like those featured in Paris is Burning, values all of the social contributions made by this marginalized population; but, The House of Manolo Blahnik is also a real non-profit organization under the fiscal management of the New York State Black Gay Network. The House of Manolo Blahnik established its’ Tony Milan Scholarship Fund in 2006, to support the educational and “ballroom” success of LGBT members of the House/Ball community. The Tony Milan Scholarship Fund encourages LGBT community members to aspire to positions in which they are able to contribute to society, are open about their sexual orientation and act as role models for their peers in the Ballroom scene.

Read more and get information at stephaunelite.blogspot.com.