Mission
THE MISSION OF THE WANDA ALSTON FOUNDATION (WAF) IS TO ERADICATE HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY FOR LGBTQIA2S+ YOUTH AGES 18-24 AND TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO SERVICES THAT IMPROVE THEIR OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH ADVOCACY AND PROGRAMMING. THE WAF OPENED ITS DOORS IN 2008 AS THE ONLY HOUSING PROGRAM IN WASHINGTON, DC, SOLELY DEDICATED TO OFFERING PRE-INDEPENDENT TRANSITIONAL LIVING AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO LGBTQIA2S+ YOUTH WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR WHO ARE AT RISK IN ALL EIGHT WARDS. COMPLEMENTING THIS, THE WANDA ALSTON COUNSELING CENTER (WACC) PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF TRAUMA-INFORMED AND CULTURALLY COMPETENT SERVICES, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, EMERGENCY HOUSING, AND GENERAL SUPPORT, TO LGBTQIA2S+ INDIVIDUALS IN THE D.C. AREA WHO ARE SURVIVORS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT. THIS COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH ENSURES THAT ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR WELL-BEING ARE ADDRESSED, MAKING THE AUDIENCE FEEL REASSURED AND SUPPORTED.