The Ali Forney Center

The Ali Forney Center
Name	Ali Forney Center
Formation	2002
Type	Nonprofit organization
Headquarters	New York City
Services	Housing, support services, advocacy
Leader title	Executive Director

The Ali Forney Center is a nonprofit organization based in New York City focused on supporting homeless LGBTQ+ youth. Founded in 2002, the center provides transitional housing, drop-in services, and advocacy while collaborating with municipal agencies and community organizations across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. The organization operates within a network of service providers and civil rights groups engaged in issues affecting LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness.

History

The center was established in 2002 following the murder of Ali Forney, a transgender youth, amid a broader landscape shaped by events and institutions such as the Stonewall riots, the work of GLAAD, the activism of Sylvia Rivera, and policy trends influenced by agencies like the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the New York City Department of Homeless Services. Early organizational development intersected with advocacy by groups including Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, National LGBTQ Task Force, and local coalitions involving Urban Justice Center and Gay Men's Health Crisis. Funding and program models were influenced by precedents from organizations such as Covenant House, The Doe Fund, The Salvation Army, and by research from institutions like Columbia University and New York University. Over time the center expanded operations amid public debates involving the New York City Council, initiatives supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and partnerships with foundations like the Arcus Foundation and Ford Foundation.

Mission and Programs

The center's mission centers on providing safe housing and supportive services to LGBTQ+ youth, aligning with sector practices demonstrated by SAGE USA, The Trevor Project, PFLAG, and Advocates for Youth. Programs include drop-in centers modeled on services used by The Ali Forney Center's peers such as Bowery Mission, Covenant House, and Housing Works, as well as counseling influenced by clinical guidelines from American Psychiatric Association and American Psychological Association. Education and employment services draw on partnerships and referral networks including New York Public Library, NYC Department of Education, Brooklyn Public Library, and workforce programs like those run by Department of Labor and City University of New York. Health services coordination has involved providers such as Mount Sinai Health System, NYC Health + Hospitals, Planned Parenthood, and collaborations with research entities like Johns Hopkins University.

Facilities and Housing Services

The center operates transitional living sites and scattered-site apartments across New York City boroughs, employing models used by Habitat for Humanity, Enterprise Community Partners, Mercy Housing, and developers engaged with New York State Homes and Community Renewal. Residential programs include street outreach and emergency shelter services similar to programs run by Coalition for the Homeless, Project Renewal, Common Ground, and Breaking Ground. Facility management intersects with building standards referenced by New York City Department of Buildings and support services coordinated with legal aid organizations such as Legal Aid Society and The Bronx Defenders. The center's site selection and renovation efforts have at times involved municipal approvals, community boards, and partnerships with entities like Housing Works and Gotham Organization.

Advocacy and Policy Work

Advocacy efforts have engaged local and national policy debates involving the New York City Council, State Legislature of New York, U.S. Congress, and federal agencies including Department of Health and Human Services. The center has collaborated with coalitions such as National Network for Youth and Coalition for the Homeless to influence legislation and funding streams alongside civil rights organizations like ACLU, Lambda Legal, Human Rights Campaign, and National Center for Transgender Equality. Public campaigns have referenced media coverage from outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and broadcast partners such as PBS and NPR. Policy priorities include access to shelter programs, non-discrimination enforcement tied to statutes like the New York City Human Rights Law, and federal housing provisions under acts like the McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

Funding and Partnerships

The center's funding portfolio has combined private philanthropy, foundation grants, and government contracts, drawing support from donors and funders including Ford Foundation, Arcus Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Open Society Foundations, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and municipal grants from NYC Department of Youth and Community Development. Corporate and community partnerships have included collaborations with entities such as Aetna, CVS Health, Google, Starbucks, and local institutions such as Barnard College, Hunter College, and New York University. Fundraising events have involved cultural partners, artists, and media organizations including GQ, Vogue, Broadway Cares, and philanthropic campaigns modeled on efforts by Wear It Purple and similar initiatives.

Impact and Recognition

The center has been recognized by local and national media and advocacy groups for its role in reducing homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth, receiving attention alongside peer organizations like The Trevor Project and SAGE USA. Awards and acknowledgments have intersected with civic recognition from the New York City Council, endorsements from health institutions such as Mount Sinai Health System, and coverage in publications including The New Yorker, Time (magazine), and New York Magazine. The center's program models have been cited in academic and policy literature from Columbia University, Hunter College, and policy think tanks like the Urban Institute and Brookings Institution for contributions to youth homelessness interventions.

Category:LGBT organizations in the United States Category:Non-profit organizations based in New York City