Episode 77: DHC – Be a Hope Dealer w/ Roscoe Compton-Kelly & Sidney Yerger

Welcome, everyone, to the Beyond the Shadow of Doubt podcast.
Today, I’m thrilled to have two guests with me to share their stories — Sydney and Roscoe from Dallas Hope Charities.

I volunteer with Dallas Hope Charities, and if you’ve ever heard me mention Hopeful Spaces on this podcast or my Instagram, that’s what I’m referring to — the group I facilitate for parents and allies. I wanted to give the organization a chance to share why it exists, what it’s all about, and why this work matters so deeply to them.

If this is your first time listening or your tenth, here’s a little context. I started this podcast to normalize faith journeys — to normalize asking questions and allowing doubts. For those of us raised in conservative faith traditions, those topics can be taboo. This space is for exploring the uncomfortable things and challenging long-held beliefs that may be hurting us, our families, or our communities.

Sydney shared that she’s the Outreach and Education Engagement Manager for Dallas Hope Charities. She’s been with the organization for about two and a half years, running programs outside of the housing initiative and doing community engagement. She identifies as an ally of the LGBTQ+ community and grew up in a religious family that was somewhat open but didn’t dive deeply into advocacy or identity work until college. That’s where she began learning, unlearning, and deconstructing her beliefs around gender and sexuality — and now, she’s made that her life’s work.

Roscoe serves on the Board of Directors for Dallas Hope Charities and has been involved since 2019, including a term as Board Chair. He grew up in Beaumont, Texas, in a devout Catholic and Methodist household — what he calls “deep Catholic.” He was an altar boy, sang in the church choir, and was heavily involved in parish youth leadership.

His connection to Dallas Hope Charities began through meal programs run in conjunction with Cathedral of Hope, a Dallas church that birthed the organization. Having navigated his own faith and coming-out journey, Roscoe felt called to be part of this mission to support LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness.

Roscoe shared that he came out at seventeen, while still in high school. Being raised Catholic made it a complex emotional journey. He vividly remembers a moment when a new priest declared from the pulpit that gay people should not be allowed to take communion. Sitting beside his mother, he decided then and there that he wouldn’t take communion anymore. It was painful, but it was his way of owning his truth.

That moment, though difficult, became a turning point. It led him to explore other faith traditions, question what he’d been taught, and ultimately rebuild his spiritual life on his own terms. Through that exploration, he discovered freedom, community, and the importance of authenticity.

He later found his spiritual home at Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, where he could bring his whole self — including his love for music — to worship. Out of that environment, Dallas Hope Charities was born, initially through small meal programs that evolved into housing and outreach initiatives for LGBTQ+ youth.

The first housing project started small — a single one-bedroom apartment that could shelter just a couple of youth at a time. That grew to a two-bedroom space housing four, and over time, the organization expanded both its vision and partnerships to serve more.

Roscoe reflected that what motivated him most were the youth he met — many kicked out by their families simply for being who they are. Having never experienced that kind of rejection himself, it was heartbreaking to witness. “God’s greatest commandment is love,” he said, “and to see parents turn their backs on their children in the name of faith — it just broke me.”

Sydney explained that Dallas Hope Charities now primarily serves LGBTQ+ youth between ages 18 and 24, though 17-year-olds can join the waiting list. The heartbreaking reality is that some teens choose homelessness over staying in unsafe or violent homes.

She mentioned the waiting list currently has around 400 youth — and with only eight beds available, capacity is painfully limited. While the team works to connect applicants to other organizations in North Texas, those resources are also strained. “It’s hard enough for us as providers,” she said, “so imagine what it’s like for the youth trying to navigate that system alone.”

Both emphasized that the best way to help is to support organizations already doing the work — through volunteering, donations, or even spreading awareness. Roscoe added that something as simple as donating essentials like clothing, bedding, or hygiene products can make a difference.

They also encouraged parents to have early, honest conversations about what unconditional love really means. “You can’t say you love your child if that love has conditions,” Sydney said. “It’s about preparing yourself to support your kid no matter what.”

Roscoe shared statistics from the Williams Institute (2020):

• About 22% of homeless youth nationwide identify as LGBTQ+.

• 71% experience homelessness after turning 18.

• 1 in 5 experience it before turning 18.

In Dallas ISD alone, there are nearly 4,000 identified homeless students, many of whom likely identify as LGBTQ+ — though tracking exact numbers is difficult because of the transient nature of homelessness.

He explained that even shelters that serve LGBTQ+ youth often have only one or two designated beds for them, and those fill quickly. “We can open homes all day long,” he said, “but without funding, staff, and basic supplies, we can’t serve them effectively.”

Roscoe also reflected on what helped him remain at home after coming out. His parents sought counseling — first for him, then for themselves. His mother, he later learned, was also processing her brother’s HIV diagnosis and feared what might happen to her son. But she and his father made an effort to understand. They went to an LGBTQ+ bookstore in Houston, brought home armfuls of books, and started reading and learning together.

“It wasn’t overnight,” Roscoe said. “It took months, even years. But they kept trying.”

When he got engaged years later, his father opened up about struggling with the idea that his “firstborn son” wouldn’t carry on the family name. That conversation led to healing, deeper understanding, and ultimately, love. Today, Roscoe and his husband have a close, supportive relationship with both his parents. “They both walked me down the aisle,” he said. “It was beautiful — and it took work from both sides.”

Sydney talked about the Hopeful Spaces program, launched in March, which provides a safe environment for parents, caregivers, and allies to ask questions, learn terminology, and discuss how to support their LGBTQ+ children.

The program meets twice a month — one evening session and one daytime — to make it accessible for different schedules. It complements another program, Hopeful Discussions, which dives deeper into education about gender identity, sexuality, allyship, and communication.

“We want to give parents a judgment-free space to ask questions,” Sydney said. “If your child says they’re pansexual or nonbinary, you’ll know what that means and how to respond with understanding.”

The ultimate goal: to prevent more LGBTQ+ youth from becoming homeless by strengthening family communication and acceptance.

Roscoe added that safe spaces like these are critical — not just for youth, but for parents, too. “Not every family has someone they can talk to,” he said. “This work gives them that place, that network, that hope.”

He acknowledged that reconciliation and healing take time. “It wasn’t by chance that my parents and I ended up where we are,” he said. “It took years of conversation, emotion, and grace. And that’s what I want for these kids — some semblance of that beauty.”

Faith, doubt, and love were recurring themes throughout the conversation. The phrase “Beyond the Shadow of Doubt” came up again — a phrase the host redefined as embracing doubt rather than fearing it. “Leaning into our doubts and peeling back the shame,” she said, “is one of the first steps toward connection — with ourselves, our faith, and each other.”

When asked what it means to live beyond the shadow of doubt, Roscoe reflected:

“There’s an old hymn that says, We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord.
What got us through that doubt and fear was faith — in ourselves, in God, and in the belief that we’d make it through together.”

Sydney added:

“For me, it’s about centering love — loving your neighbor and loving yourself.
If you truly love one another, you don’t let people go hungry or homeless, especially not your own child. Love should always outweigh fear.”

To wrap up, the guests shared a few lighthearted facts:

• Sydney’s favorite book is The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.

• Roscoe’s is King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender.

• Sydney is an introvert; Roscoe is an extrovert.

• Favorite artists? Mariah Carey and Paddington Bear (yes, really!).

• Both are night owls.

• Sydney’s celebrity crush is Chiron from Moonlight; Roscoe’s is Pitbull.

• Both prefer still water — or a Topo Chico if available.

• Sydney has traveled as far as Sydney, Australia; Roscoe’s farthest trip was to the Dominican Republic.

For those who want to connect or support Dallas Hope Charities:

• You can reach Sydney at syerger@dallashopecharities.org.

• You can reach Roscoe on Instagram at @roscoecraigco.

It was an inspiring and heartfelt conversation about faith, love, and creating belonging for LGBTQ+ youth.
Thank you, Sydney and Roscoe, for the incredible work you do through Dallas Hope Charities — and for sharing your stories with such honesty and compassion.