For Immediate Release: June 15, 2023
Contact: Ciora Thomas, ciora.thomas@sisterspgh.org, 412-297-0548
(PITTSBURGH) – SisTers PGH was founded by Executive Director Ciora Thomas in 2013 because of her own struggles as a teenage homeless sex worker surviving within a cis-tem that feeds off of youth homelessness, drug addiction, and transphobia. The announcement of the June 20 closing of the Smithfield Shelter in downtown Pittsburgh is a stark reminder of this cis-tem, the work we do, and why it is so important for the people to be heard.
The Smithfield Shelter is one of the few saving graces for folks experiencing housing insecurity here in the city. For too many people here, the wages are too low, and the rent is too damn high. For too many people who are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, treatment centers are out of their price range.
We need real solutions. We need more shelters, not less. We need more jobs, and good-paying jobs. We need apprenticeship programs that target those who need these jobs the most. We need compassion and critical thinking from the leaders we elect.
Ciora will be making this known tonight at the public hearing regarding the shelter’s closure, and we invite everyone to join us. The hearing takes place at 6 PM at the Allegheny County Courthouse located at 436 Grant Street. Head to the Gold Room on the 4th Floor.
We all must take accountability in demanding our government do right by its people.
SisTers PGH is a Black- and Trans-led 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that serves Trans, queer and nonbinary BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) within southwestern Pennsylvania. Learn more at www.sisterspgh.org.
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