Empowering Multi-Faith Communities to Address
LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness
Online workshop (recorded)
Highlighting:
Interfaith partnerships
Gender diverse and transgender youth
Meet our presenters:
Francis Pfister, John Sheehan, Seamus Campbell, Sontaia Briggs, Pelayo Alvarez and Rev. Marian Edmonds-Allen
Francis Pfister
Frankie Pfister, MSW
Frankie is a social scientist passionate about collecting and reporting data to advocate for youth experiencing homelessness.
Frankie has been advocating for and working with youth experiencing homelessness for over a decade. During her graduate studies, she created and evaluated a college-access intervention for homeless youth, and she currently provides training for colleges on bridging street culture and academic culture to create space for students who have experienced homelessness. Frankie is passionate about building inclusive community framed by cultural humility and authentic youth engagement to prevent and address youth homelessness.
John Sheehan
John Sheehan, LMSW is the Director of Outreach Ecumenical Services at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church and the Director of Social Work Services for Monday Night Hospitality
John Sheehan, LMSW has over 35 years’ experience in numerous settings including homeless agencies, mental health programs, HIV/AIDS services and drug treatment programs. John held the position of Vice President of the Phoenix House Foundation and has also performed extensive volunteer work with the MS Society and has been inducted into their Volunteer Hall of Fame. He is graduate of Adelphi University and a resident of Hell’s Kitchen in New York City.
Rev. Seamus Campbell
Director of Outreach Ministries, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church and Pastor at Madison Square Park Congregation of EcclesiaMinistries of New York
Sontaia Briggs
Youth advocate and President of the board, Parity
Sontaia P. Briggs is the founder of YouUniversity, an online ministry uplifting and affirming the gifts of youth and young adults, as well as providing in-person college access/success coaching and counseling. A consultant working with nonprofits and churches, Sontaia authors youth and young adult programs and workshops. She is a sought after LGBTQIA inclusion trainer and motivational speaker who has worked with PARITY NYC, Blanton-Peale Institute and Counseling Center, Park United Methodist Church and NMAC Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Sontaia holds a Master of Public Administration from Rutgers University and a Master of Arts in Youth Ministry from New York Theological Seminary.
Pelayo Alvarez
Pelayo Alvarez is originally from Spain and raised Catholic. During these past 4 years Pelayo has been working at training developing countries in the field of international relations and global affairs.
Pelayo is also a co-host of The Forbidden Apple Podcast.
Rev. Marian Edmonds-Allen
Executive Director, Parity and director of Blessed by Difference
Parity helps congregations, faith organizations, clergy, seminarians, denominations and seminaries become more LGBTQ+ sensitive and celebratory.
Parity also helps families, parents, youth, adults and elders to navigate what it means to be
(or love) an LGBTQ+ person - and to have faith and flourish, too!
Rev. Marian Edmonds-Allen is the director of Blessed by Difference and the executive director of Parity, a NYC-based national nonprofit that works at the intersection of faith and LGBTQ+ concerns.
Marian has worked with youth and families in various denominations and settings throughout the country for more than 20 years, focusing on strengths-based interventions and supports to affirm beliefs and faith practices for LGBTQ+ persons.
In 2013, Marian was named Person of the Year by Q Salt Lake for her visionary leadership, and in 2015 was named a Petra Fellow for her work with LGBTQ homeless youth. She is formerly Executive Director of OUTreach Resource Centers, the National Program Director of the Family Acceptance Project and Executive Director of the Utah Pride Center.
Marian attended Western Theological Seminary and Eden Theological Seminary, and has served in many pastoral capacities, including church planting, parish ministry and chaplaincy. She is married, has four children, and is a passionate skier and outdoor enthusiast. Email Marian: marian@parity.nyc
An An NGO CSW 2020 Workshop
Originally scheduled for March 19, 6:15 pm
Church Center for the United Nations, 10th Floor
777 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017
and then moved to virtual at the request of the UN Secretary General