Project Fierce Chicago

Today we are joined by Dianne Hartsock, one of the generous authors involved in the Project Fierce Chicago anthology.

Buy your copy now and support a great cause.

About the anthology

Nobody deserves to be without a home. In collaboration with several authors, Less Than Three Press offers up an anthology of stories about young people who find that home and family are not always where you expect to find them.

All proceeds from this charity anthology will be donated to Project Fierce Chicago.

Who are the authors?

LT3′s Project Fierce Chicago charity anthology includes 20 short stories from Aeris, Vicktor Alexander, Talya Andor, C.J. Anthony, Blaine D. Arden, Kayla Bain-Vrba, Sophie Bonaste, Kenzie Cade, Jana Denardo,Alessandra Ebulu, Dianne Hartsock, Leta Hutchins, Caitlin Ricci, Lor Rose, B. Snow, Rin Sparrow, Andrea Speed, Piper Vaughn, Layla M. Wier, and Xara X. Xanakas.

A personal message from Diane Hartsock

Everyone deserves a safe and stable home!

Homelessness has become an epidemic in the LGBT youth community. Family conflicts, abuse and problems at school are all contributing factors. Some find themselves on the street after ‘aging out’ of foster care, but more and more gay and transgender young people, emboldened by increased acceptance in society, are coming out in their teen years, when they are still reliant on their parents. Sometimes faced with hostility or rejection at home, many teens turn instead to the streets.

Portland, Oregon, is considered the second worst city in the United States for juvenile sex trafficking, so when it came time to write my story for the Project Fierce Charity Anthology, I wanted to touch on this almost taboo subject. People would rather close their eyes and pretend it isn’t happening.

Sammy has been surviving for years on the streets of Portland by hooking along the waterfront for the local businessmen. In this story, one young man finds his way to a better future, but unfortunately, in real life, this isn’t always the case. It takes projects like this one to help provide shelter and a safe haven for our suffering children. I want to thank Piper Vaughn for bringing this anthology to my attention and that I am able to contribute to such an important cause.

SAMMY –my story in the Project Fierce Charity Anthology

At fifteen, Sam inadvertently comes out to his parents, but instead of the support he hopes for, they send him to live with his uncle. Unfortunately, the man is even less tolerant of his uniqueness. Rather than change to please his family, feeling unwanted and misunderstood, he runs away to find a better life.

But the crowded city isn’t kind to a young man with no home and no prospects of work. When this story opens, Sam has been on the streets for several years when one of his ‘regulars’ begins to take more than a business interest in him. For the first time Sammy dreams of more than a bleak lonely future, but does he dare hope that someone like him could find their happily ever after?

Dianne Hartsock
blog: http://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/my-blog/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/diannehartsock

About Project Fierce Chicago

Project Fierce Chicago’s mission is to reduce LGBTQ youth homelessness in Chicago by providing affirming, no-cost transitional housing and comprehensive support services to homeless LGBTQ young adults. PFC also aims to encourage community-building and civic engagement through cooperative living and youth leadership development.

To learn more about Project Fierce Chicago or to donate directly, visit their website. Project Fierce Chicago