Victory Youth Inc

OUR MISSION

Victory Youth exists to ensure that LGBTQ+ young people ages 18–24 will have safe, stable, and identity‑affirming housing in Lexington, Kentucky. We will provide the support, skills, and community youth need to build independent, empowered, and fulfilling lives.

LGBTQ+ youth in Lexington, Kentucky deserve more than survival — they deserve a future. Together, we can create a community where all young people have a safe place to land, a voice that is heard, and a path toward independence and wholeness.

THE NEED 

LGBTQ+ youth experience homelessness at dramatically higher rates than their heterosexual peers. Many are thrown out of their homes due to family rejection, religious beliefs, unsafe environments, or discrimination. 

Lexington does not have a LGBTQ+-specific housing program for youth ages 18–24. LGBTQ+ young people often experience mistreatment in traditional shelters and avoid services altogether, leaving them vulnerable to violence, exploitation, abuse, and severe mental health challenges.

Without LGBTQ+-specific trauma‑informed support, and pathways to stability, LGBTQ+ youth face barriers that no young person should have to navigate alone.

Victory Youth exists to offer LGBTQ+-specific services and strategies that strengthen youth trajectories.

In Lexington there is no LGBTQ+ youth specific shelter available

For 18–24-year-old youth there is one shelter available with 11 beds that are allocated by lottery nightly. 

During the last homeless count (2025) there were 877 homeless people that were available for the count. Between 9% and 12% of the homeless population are LGBTQ+ youth 18-24 years old. This indicates that at least 75 LGBTIQ youth are homeless in Lexington as of the 2025 count.

The 2025 Lexington Ed Holmes Consulting Homeless Shelter Study (2025) projected that there will be a need in the next five years for at least 58 more youth beds. 

THE DATA 

• LGBTQ+ youth are at more than double the risk of homelessness compared to non-LGBTQ+ peers
• Among youth experiencing homelessness, LGBTQ+ young people reported higher rates of trauma and adversity, including twice the rate of early death
• Homelessness stems from multiple factors beyond “coming out” among LGBTQ youth
• Youth who identified as both LGBTQ+ and black or multiracial had some of the highest rates of homelessness
• Safe, affirming responses and services are important for engaging LGBTQ+ youth

(Chapin Hall, 2026)

OUR PROGRESS 

Victory Youth was founded by Stan “JR” Zerkowski and Shawn Hunter in response to a critical gap in the housing landscapes of Lexington, Kentucky.

We have

• Hosted a “Hear Me, See Me, Know Me” dinner for LGBTQ+ homeless youth and their peer allies. This will continue monthly. 
• Our founder used a three-month sabbatical during the summer of 2026 to visit and learn from LGBTQ+ youth homeless shelters in locations throughout the US
• Partnered with Serenity Springs Village to operate 12 microunits on their campus to house 24 youth.
• Partnered with The Ali Forney Center in NYC, to achieve best practices and joined their national technical assistance and model replication community.
• Secured membership in our local HUD Continuum of Care 
• Created a Youth Advisory Board (YAB), giving voice to Lexington’s homeless youth 
• Begun assembling a Board of Directors
• Engaged with local leaders who serve the homeless population of Lexington, KY

Your gift will provide -

Your annual gift of $120,000 will provide one year of housing for all 24 of our youth

Your $800 monthly gift will provide one month of housing for a homeless youth

Your annual gift of $6,000 will provide one month of case management 

Your $500 monthly gift will provide a case manager for one month for one youth

Your $300 monthly gift will provide food for the month for a homeless youth

Your $200 monthly gift will provide transportation and toiletries for homeless youth

Your $100 monthly gift will provide for clothing/personal needs 

Your $50 monthly gift will provide a month of hygiene/toiletries for two youth

Your $30 monthly gift will provide a LexTran pass for one youth

Your $25 monthly gift will provide one hour of counseling for one youth

OUR LEADERSHIP

Stan "JR" Zerkowski, Founder and President

Shawn Michael Hunter, Co-founder and Vice President

Marsha Moors-Charles

Dr. Shelita Jackson