By Shelby Clark
Looking for a specifically LGBT Valentine's Day event, with the added benefit of helping a good cause?
The Ozone House works to benefit their "Kicked Out Fund" with "Home Sweet Home: A Night of Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate to End LGBT Youth Homelessness." The Home Sweet Home Event is an LGBT-themed event for Valentine's Day which will include a wine, cheese and chocolate tasting at Vellum in Ann Arbor.
Vellum Restaurant, a partner in hosting the event, is known for its craftsmanship when it comes to architecture, furnishing and, of course, food and beverage. More information on the restaurant, bar and lounge can be found at http://www.vellumrestaraurant.com.
The event will feature top quality "romantic" foods, as well as a brief program at 7:30 p.m. on the state of LGBT youth. All net proceeds from the evening will go to Ozone House's services, specifically the Kicked Out Fund.
Current programs at Ozone House's drop-in center include career services, life skills groups, peer outreach, recreational games and even pizza parties. A popular service includes "Youth Making an Impact"; this youth volunteer groups works to positively affect the community with activism and service projects.
The Kicked Out Fund helps to provide support and shelter to hundreds of young people who have left home because their sexual orientation has lead to unsafe situations. The fund also helps fund the 24/7 Crisis Line at Ozone House, which often serves as the first connection between LGBTQ youth in need of help at the nonprofit. The Crisis Line can be reached at 734-662-2222.
In addition to services of shelter and support, the fund helps sustain PrideZone, the weekly support group for LGBTQ youth at Ozone House. Queer youth ages 13-20 are able to socialize and build a safe community at PrideZone, as well as access other services every Wednesday at 6 p.m.
The Home Sweet Home event will be from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12 in the Upstairs Lounge at Vellum. Tickets are $75. Vellum is located at 209 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. Reservations are required.
Ozone House is at 102 N. Hamilton, Ypsilanti. For more information on Ozone House or this event, call Development Director Heather Steenrod at 734-662-2265, ext. 25 or visit www.ozonehouse.org.
