Across Wisconsin this Pride Month, colorful flowers are popping up in unexpected places: sidewalk cracks. This is part of a campaign by Courage+, a nonprofit that helps house LGBTQ+ youth.
Seventy-five spots in Appleton, Madison, Milwaukee, and Racine will feature these art installations, called "Courage to Grow." They range from single daisies in cracks to full flower gardens outside businesses.
Highlighting Youth Homelessness
The flowers draw attention to LGBTQ+ youth homelessness. About 1.7 million young people across the country experience this issue. LGBTQ+ youth are 120% more likely to be homeless than their non-LGBTQ+ peers. This often happens because of family rejection, coming out, or abuse at home.
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Start Your News DetoxCourage+ explained that these kids "slip through the cracks of a stressed system." The "Courage to Grow" campaign aims to make this unseen issue visible. It focuses on the human side, reminding everyone that all kids deserve a safe place to grow.
Each flower display has a QR code. People can scan it to learn more, find other flower locations, get directions to PrideFest, and discover ways to help.
Informational stickers accompany each installation. Photo courtesy of Courage+
Brad Schlaikowski, co-founder of Courage+, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the flowers symbolize resilience. He said they represent the bravery of queer youth who keep going despite challenges. They are "defying the odds by coming out of the cement."
Community Support and Safe Homes
Local businesses involved in the campaign are called Bravemakers. They host flower installations on their sidewalks or patios. To become a Bravemaker, businesses, organizations, and individuals must apply. They also need to show active support for the LGBTQ+ youth community.
A volunteer helps plant an installation for the campaign. Photo courtesy of Courage+
Courage+ noted that Bravemakers commit to ongoing education and advocacy. This helps empower young people to be their true selves.
Beyond the campaign, Courage+ runs Wisconsin's first licensed group homes for displaced LGBTQ+ youth. These are Courage House and C2. C2 is for young adults aged 18-24. It combines safe living with support to help them become independent.
Both homes offer case management and services to young LGBTQ+ people. These are for those who don't have another safe place to live.
Supporters can learn more and support Courage+ through the campaign. Photo courtesy of Courage+
Schlaikowski said the "plus" in their name means they go beyond housing. They support the daily lives of LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. He added that the Courage to Grow installations acknowledge their strength. They also remind every young person that they are not alone and that their community cares.
The campaign aims to bring attention to youth homelessness in a striking way. It shows young people that courage and resilience are beautiful and worth celebrating. A campaign video explains that each LGBTQ+ young person living on the streets is "a small miracle." It notes that their existence is an act of courage.
When people support these kids and provide safe spaces, they can do more than just exist. They can "bloom and thrive."
