Ali Forney Center
{{Short description|LGBT community center based in New York City}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Ali Forney Center
| named_after = Ali Forney
| image = Ali Forney Center logo.png
| formation = 2002
| abbreviation = AFC
| founder = Carl Siciliano
| founding_location = New York
| type = Non-governmental organization
| leader_title = Executive Director
| leader_name = Alexander Roque
| website = {{URL|aliforneycenter.org}}
}}
{{Living spaces}}
The Ali Forney Center (AFC), based in New York City, is the largest LGBT community center helping LGBTQ homeless youth in the United States.{{cite news|last1=Rawles|first1=Timothy|title="Golden Girls" actress Bea Arthur funds LGBT homeless shelter in her will.|url=http://www.sdgln.com/news/2015/07/19/golden-girls-actress-bea-arthur-funds-lgbt-homeless-shelter-her-will#sthash.p2H40xX2.dpbs|access-date=July 21, 2015|work=San Diego Gay & Lesbian News|date=July 19, 2015|archive-date=July 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721233550/http://sdgln.com/news/2015/07/19/golden-girls-actress-bea-arthur-funds-lgbt-homeless-shelter-her-will#sthash.p2H40xX2.dpbs|url-status=live}} The AFC both manages and develops transitional housing for its clients.{{Cite news|url = http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20150714/TECHNOLOGY/307129998/this-star-entrepreneur-donates-so-that-others-may-build-homes-schools|title = The Star Entrepreneur Donates So That Others May Build Homes, Schools|last = MacBride|first = Elizabeth|date = July 14, 2015|work = Crain's New York Business|access-date = July 22, 2015|archive-date = April 29, 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170429140915/http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20150714/TECHNOLOGY/307129998/this-star-entrepreneur-donates-so-that-others-may-build-homes-schools|url-status = live}} AFC helps approximately 2,000 youth clients each year, primarily between sixteen and twenty-four years old.{{Cite news|url = http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/08/church-aids-expansion-of-shelter-for-gay-youths/?_r=0|title = Church Aids Expansion of Shelter for Gay Youths|last = Ong|first = Bao|date = December 8, 2009|work = City Room Blog from The New York Times|access-date = July 22, 2015|archive-date = December 11, 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171211053846/https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/08/church-aids-expansion-of-shelter-for-gay-youths/?_r=0|url-status = live}} AFC is named after Ali Forney, a transgender youth who was murdered in New York in 1997.
Description
AFC has 15 residential sites in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan. AFC provideds 162 beds a night for homeless LGBTQ youth.{{Cite news|url = http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/20/homeless-gay-and-transgender-youths-find-a-new-home-in-greenwich-village/|title = Homeless Gay and Transgender Youths Find a New Home in Greenwich Village|last = Dunlap|first = David W.|date = November 20, 2012|work = City Room Blog of The New York Times|access-date = July 22, 2015|archive-date = September 6, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150906020755/http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/20/homeless-gay-and-transgender-youths-find-a-new-home-in-greenwich-village/|url-status = live}} AFC also runs a drop-in center, open 24/7, where clients can apply for housing, receive food and hygiene services and can access free medical and mental health care . AFC Founder Carl Siciliano says that the clients served by the drop-in center are often in the most acute crisis.{{Cite news|url = http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bwh&AN=nyo.09Nov2012132831&site=ehost-live|title = Ali Forney Center Throws Fundraising Bash for Flooded Drop-In Center|last = D'Addario|first = Daniel|date = November 9, 2012|work = New York Observer|access-date = July 22, 2015|via = Regional Business News - EBSCO|archive-date = July 16, 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230716234521/https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bwh&AN=nyo.09Nov2012132831&site=ehost-live|url-status = live}} AFC serves the LGBTQ population because they represent approximately forty percent of New York's young homeless people.{{Cite news|url = http://www.wfuv.org/content/new-report-finds-sex-equals-survival-many-homeless-lgbtq-youth|title = New Report Finds Sex Equals Survival for Many Homeless LGBTQ Youth|last = Lewis|first = Rebecca|date = February 25, 2015|work = WFUV Public Radio|access-date = July 22, 2015|via = National Public Radio|archive-date = March 4, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105353/http://www.wfuv.org/content/new-report-finds-sex-equals-survival-many-homeless-lgbtq-youth|url-status = live}}
History
File:Ali Forney Center marchers.webm
AFC has served homeless LGBTQ youth in New York since 2002.{{Cite news|url = http://www.passportmagazine.com/blog/archives/42820-celebrate-summer-with-the-ali-forney-center-in-new-york-city/|title = Celebrate Summer with the Ali Forney Center in New York City|last = Pedro|first = Joseph|date = July 9, 2015|work = Passport Magazine|access-date = July 22, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150723001639/http://www.passportmagazine.com/blog/archives/42820-celebrate-summer-with-the-ali-forney-center-in-new-york-city/|archive-date = July 23, 2015|url-status = dead}} The organization was founded by Carl Siciliano. When AFC first opened, it had only six beds.{{Cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/06/nyregion/sylvias-place-faces-licensing-problems.html|title = A Church. A Shelter. Is It Safe?|last = Thrasher|first = Steven W.|date = November 4, 2011|work = The New York Times|access-date = July 22, 2015|archive-date = February 1, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140201144749/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/06/nyregion/sylvias-place-faces-licensing-problems.html|url-status = live}} Siciliano, who knew and respected Forney, recalls that it was a challenge to secure funding for the first two years of the organization's operation.{{Cite journal|url = http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=25306789&site=ehost-live|title = Homeless Man Inspires Shelter From the Storm|last = Beale|first = Lewis|date = May 31, 2007|journal = Back Stage East|access-date = July 22, 2015|volume = 48|issue = 22|page = 9|archive-date = July 16, 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230716234518/https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=25306789&site=ehost-live|url-status = live}}{{subscription required|via=EBSCO}} By 2007, AFC had 32 beds, 50 staff and offered wraparound services including free medical care, HIV testing, hygiene services, job training and job placement through the drop-in center.{{Cite journal|url = http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=26854835&site=ehost-live|title = The New Order|last = Henderson|first = William|date = September 25, 2007|journal = Advocate|access-date = July 22, 2015|issue = 993|page = 111|archive-date = July 16, 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230716234518/https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=26854835&site=ehost-live|url-status = live}}{{subscription required|via=EBSCO}}
During the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the drop-in center was flooded. A fundraiser hosted by Ally Sheedy helped raise money for the organization to relocate and reopen the drop-in center. An additional $100,000 was raised in one day to help the organization through word of mouth and social media.
In July 2015, AFC broke ground on its new Bea Arthur Residence.{{Cite news|url = https://www.washingtonblade.com/2015/07/15/bea-arthur-homeless-shelter-breaks-ground/|title = Bea Arthur Homeless Shelter Breaks Ground|date = July 15, 2015|work = Washington Blade|access-date = July 22, 2015|archive-date = July 22, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150722145451/http://www.washingtonblade.com/2015/07/15/bea-arthur-homeless-shelter-breaks-ground/|url-status = live}} The housing site is named after the actress, Bea Arthur, who left $300,000 in her will to AFC.{{Cite news|url = http://www.out.com/popnography/2015/7/16/bea-arthur-lgbt-shelter-break-ground|title = Bea Arthur LGBT Shelter to Break Ground|last = Garner|first = Glenn|date = July 16, 2015|work = Out|access-date = July 22, 2015|archive-date = July 23, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150723020204/http://www.out.com/popnography/2015/7/16/bea-arthur-lgbt-shelter-break-ground|url-status = live}} Arthur's endowment to the shelter enabled it stay open during the recession in 2009.{{Cite news|url = http://www.metro.us/new-york/work-begins-in-village-on-bea-arthur-residence-for-lgbt-homeless-youth/zsJogs---ozmTzFItP7neM/|title = Work Begins in Village on Bea Arthur Residence for LGBT Homeless Youth|date = July 19, 2015|work = Metro|access-date = July 22, 2015|archive-date = July 22, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150722171254/http://www.metro.us/new-york/work-begins-in-village-on-bea-arthur-residence-for-lgbt-homeless-youth/zsJogs---ozmTzFItP7neM/|url-status = live}} In 2012, the New York City Council and the Manhattan borough president provided $3.3 million to renovate the building that will house the Bea Arthur Residence. In addition to the money that she left in her will, Arthur also helped raise $40,000 for AFC in 2005 with her one-woman show, "Bea Arthur on Broadway: Just Between Friends."{{Cite news|last=Shapiro|first=Lila|date=July 21, 2015|title=A Golden Girl's Legacy Brings Hope to LGBT Youth|work=Huffington Post|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/a-golden-girls-legacy-brings-hope-to-lgbt-youth_55aeab79e4b07af29d56a484|access-date=July 22, 2015|archive-date=July 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723014635/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/a-golden-girls-legacy-brings-hope-to-lgbt-youth_55aeab79e4b07af29d56a484|url-status=live}}
The organization has received donations from other sources as well in order to expand and help maintain operating costs. In 2009, the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island donated $200,000 to help the organization stay open after losing nearly $450,000 in funding due to the economic downturn.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Housing rights in New York}}
{{LGBT in New York}}
{{US housing by state}}
Category:2002 establishments in New York City
Category:Homeless shelters in New York City
Category:Homelessness organizations in the United States
Category:Housing organizations in the United States
Category:LGBTQ community centers in the United States
Category:LGBTQ in New York (state)
Category:Organizations established in 2002
Category:LGBTQ and homelessness
Category:LGBTQ organizations based in New York City
Category:LGBTQ youth organizations based in the United States