Cyndi Lauper opens youth homeless shelter. Pop star Cyndi Lauper is lending her name, or rather her hit song's, to help open a residence for homeless gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth in New York City's Harlem neighborhood.The building is called "True Colors Residence" and is named after the 58-year-old singer's 1986 single. It will provide 30 studio apartments and indoor and outdoor community space.

Construction began in February 2010 and the building is set to open on September 9, organizers told OnTheRedCarpet.com on Thursday.

Lauper, who is popular among the LGBT community and has donated to pro-equality causes in the past, says she decided to partner with the group to create the project because of the city's large number of LGBT homeless youth and following reports of verbal and physical abuse against them.

Residents will be responsible for paying "affordable rent base on their income" and will also receive help finding a job as well as social and educational support services, the singer said in a statement obtained by OnTheRedCarpet.com.

"Our primary goal is to provide a physically and emotionally safe and supportive environment that will empower our young residents to be the self-loving, happy and successful individuals they were meant to be," she said.

Funds for the project were provided by several banks, the city, loans and grants, private donations and the Federal Tax Credit Assistance Program. Lauper serves as the honorary chair of the True Colors Residence's board of directors.

Lauper is also known for the 1983 single "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." In October, she plans to tour the United States and release her new concert DVD "To Memphis With Love."

Source: ontheredcarpet