FY27 DHS Budget Cuts
The Foundation’s Executive Director urges DC Council to restore the youth homeless services budget to at least $24 million in recurring funding, including restoring $1.53 million for permanent supportive (extended transitional) housing and $755,000 for transitional housing.
Executive Director Appointed to DC Commission on Poverty
Executive Director Cesar Toledo has been appointed to serve on the DC Commission on Poverty. Mr. Toledo joins the Commission at a critical juncture as the city grapples with rising inequities and a surge in LGBTQ+ youth homelessness.
TOA Waters Commits to Combating LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness in DC
The Foundation was named by TOA Waters as its 2026 nonprofit recipient through the company’s 1% for Equality initiative.
Sold-out crowd turns out for 10th annual Caps Pride night
The Wanda Alston Foundation joined the Washington Capitals, Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation, and Giant for the 10th Consecutive Pride Night.
LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative Host Fundraiser
The Wanda Alston Foundation joined the LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative & Her Diner on DC News Now to highlight the LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative’s Two-Year Anniversary fundraiser.
The Rise of Unhoused LGBTQ+ Youth
With youth LGBTQ+ homelessness rising, the Wanda Alston Foundation prepares to meet the demand.
The Good Provider Feature
Metro Weekly profiled Cesar Toledo, the 33-year-old executive director bringing new energy and focus to the Wanda Alston Foundation, D.C.’s housing program for LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness.
Wanda Alston Foundation Receives Nest DC’s hatch! microgrant
The Wanda Alston Foundation is honored to be selected as the recipient of the 2025 hatch! microgrant, powered by Nest DC. The award will fund the Safe Nest Project, an initiative to furnish safe, affirming homes for 20 young, Black and Latino LGBTQ+ residents.
Strong turnout for D.C. LGBTQ Town Hall
Representatives of more than a dozen local and national LGBTQ advocacy organizations were among the 83 people who turned out for an Oct. 21 Town Hall Discussion for D.C.’s LGBTQ Community.
Executive Director Named to Out100 List
The Wanda Alston Foundation is proud to announce that its Executive Director, Cesar Toledo, has been named to Out Magazine’s prestigious Out100 list, an annual celebration of the nation’s most influential and pioneering LGBTQ+ leaders across entertainment, politics, activism, sports, and beyond.
Cesar Toledo Named to Out Magazine’s Out100 List
The Wanda Alston Foundation is proud to announce that its Executive Director, Cesar Toledo, has been named to Out Magazine’s prestigious Out100 list, an annual celebration of the nation’s most influential and pioneering LGBTQ+ leaders across entertainment, politics, activism, sports, and beyond.
Testimony In Support of Ms. Rachel Pierre
Cesar Toledo, Executive Director, testified before the DC Council in support of the confirmation of Ms. Rachel Pierre as the Director of the Department of Human Services (DHS).
LGBTQ homelessness on the rise
Based on the Point-In-Time data, year after year, LGBTQ+ youth are devastatingly overrepresented among all youth experiencing homelessness. While the overall decrease in the number of homeless people in D.C. is promising, there has been about a five-point increase among our homeless LGBTQ+ young people – meaning more than one in three homeless youth today identify as LGBTQ+.
Meet the job training groups fighting for better economic mobility in D.C.
Employment is getting harder to come by in D.C.
In fact, as of August, D.C.’s unemployment rate is at 6.0% –– the highest in the country. Its unemployment rate increased by 0.7% from August 2024.
Wanda Alston Foundation begins culinary program
D.C.’s Wanda Alston Foundation, which provides housing and support services for homeless LGBTQ youth, on Aug. 11 officially launched a culinary program aimed at training LGBTQ youth with cooking skills for future employment.
Trump to take control of MPD, deploy National Guard
Cesar Toledo reacts to the unprecedented move to wrest control of DC's Metropolitan Police Department and the dispatching of 800 National Guard troops.
Preps under way for WorldPride
The foundation, which provides housing to homeless LGBTQ+ youth, has launched a campaign called Slay and Sauté in an effort to raise $15,000 to replace funds from a federal grant that was frozen earlier this year.
The money will be used to buy healthy cooking appliances and provide cooking lessons for the young people they house.
Cesar Toledo Testifies for LGBTQ+ Youth
Cesar Toledo, the Executive Director for the Wanda Alston Foundation, testified before the Committee on Human Services in support of transitional housing for homeless LGBTQ+ youth.
Wanda Alston Foundation launches culinary program for LGBTQ youth
The Wanda Alston Foundation announced it has launched a campaign to raise $15,000 for a new culinary program to equip our LGBTQ+ youth with cooking skills and kitchen gadgets.