Cyndi Lauper Puts A Roof Over LGBT Youths’ Heads

*If Cyndi Lauper had just provided us with an amazing back catalog of pop hits, it would’ve been enough for us.

If Cyndi Lauper had only given the world her unique fashion sense and hairstyles, it would’ve been enough for us.

If Cyndi Lauper simply recorded new music and toured internationally, it would’ve been enough for us..

If she just just continued to speak out on behalf of the LGBT community and donate her time, money and resources to the True Colors campaign, it would have been enough for us.

But it’s never enough for ultimate ally Lauper, who is cutting the ribbon on a new shelter for  homeless LGBTs ages 18-24 at West 154th Street in Harlem.  The True Colors Residence, a collaboration between West End Intergenerational Residence,  Lauper and her manager Lisa Barbaris,—and reportedly the first permanent housing facility of its kind in New York State—opens its doors on September 1.

New York City is home to thousands of homeless queer youths, many of whom have been kicked out of their homes or who are fleeing abuse. But the financial crisis has seen funding for LGBT youth services and housing at places like the Ali Forney Center drastically slashed.

Lauper’s always been a hard worker and she expects residents at the True Colors Residence to pull their share as well, as she explains on the website:

We’ll be building from the ground up so our residents will have a brand new, modern building with studio apartments for each resident and both indoor and outdoor community space to socialize or attend education and recreation programs.

Each resident will be responsible for paying affordable rent based on their income and will receive ongoing assistance in obtaining employment best suited to their individual interests and skills. Although TCR will not require participation in its programs, a variety of social and educational support services will be available to all who request them.

Our primary goal is to provide a physically and emotionally safe and supportive environment that will empower our young residents to be the self-loving, happy, and successful individuals they were meant to be.

OMG, can you imagine Cyndi frickin’ Lauper stopping by your apartment for movie night? We would just die.

*With apologies to the Hebrew song, “Dayenu”