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Teresa DeCrescenzo, Founder and Executive Director of Gay and Lesbian Adolescent Social Services, Inc. (GLASS), is being honored for her advocacy on behalf of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) youth, particularly for her fight for civil rights protections in the foster care system. In 1984, Ms. DeCrescenzo a Master’s Level Social Worker, opened one group home and started the first not-for-profit child welfare agency to provide services for LGBT youth. Today GLASS runs six residential facilities and three foster family agencies, provides homeless outreach, teaches independent living skills, and provides vocational training. Ms. DeCrescenzo has led the crusade to educate families, the child welfare community, foster and relative care providers, and governmental agencies on the necessity of helping LGBT youth affirm their sexual orientation, to boost their self-esteem and successfully transition them to adulthood. She has worked to insure safety for LGBT youth in schools and encouraged Gay/Straight Alliance Clubs in schools. She has also fought hard to enable LGBT people to become foster and adoptive parents. Through Ms. DeCrescenzo’s efforts, the Foster Care Non-Discrimination Act was signed in 2004 in California. One aspect of the law requires that adults who work with LGBT youth be trained in LGBT affirming procedures. GLASS is also viewed as a model for agencies mentoring non-LGBT foster youth and probation kids.
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