Miss Universe Visits One.N.Ten Participants Following Devastating Fire

Miss Universe, Iris Mittenaere, met with One.N.Ten participants today at the Parsons Center for Health and Wellness.
Earlier this month, One.N.Ten, an organization that provides LGBTQ youth with support services, was left without a facility when its building was set on fire. Now, the organization will re-open inside the Parsons Center for Health and Wellness.
“I’m here because I learned that the center just burned, so I’m here to understand, learn what they need, about the new center and all of this stuff,” Mittenaere said. “I’m here to bring awareness.”
Mittenaere spoke with four young men about their experiences with homelessness, lack of support from their families, HIV and One.N.Ten, including the loss of their facility. They shared stories about their positive experiences at One.N.Ten, such as the support groups, counseling, educational programming and housing.
“They’re a family, a real family,” Mittenaere said of the One.N.Ten youth. “They’re my age but they know so many things about life and that’s amazing because they’ve faced so many issues but they are so strong and they love each other.”
She then toured the new facility, which will be housed inside the Parsons Center for Health and Wellness, and is expected to open next month.