Divine Light

A Place to Call Home Home for Hope director Deja Alvarez provides refuge to LGBTQ clients

Deja Alvarez grew up surrounded by a supportive family, but she understands the struggle of many LGBTQ kids who aren’t as lucky. “Many of these teens get turned out of their house at a young age because their parents can’t accept them.Then they might be forced to sleep with someone to keep a roof over their head. Drugs might help them cope with all that,” says Alvarez, who serves as director of the LGBTQ Home for Hope. A Chicago native, Deja experienced transgender life in several major cities before settling in Philadelphia in 2011. “Substance abuse in the LGBTQ community is usually less about the drugs themselves.” Alvarez has witnessed many cases where her clients get clean and reach out to family, trying to repair their relationships.They believe that substance abuse created the disconnect with their family, only to find out it isn’t about the drugs at all. “It turns out their family doesn’t approve of who they are as people. Realizing this can send them back to the drugs,” says Alvarez.

“Substance abuse in the LGBTQ community is usually less about the drugs themselves.” - Deja Alvarez Director at Home for Hope

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