FUNDING FOR HOMELESS GAY YOUTH PROGRAMS IN NYC

ALI FORNEY CENTER

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO CARL SICILIANO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER OF THE ALI FORNEY CENTER.


The Ali Forney Center (AFC) is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive organization dedicated to homeless LGBT youth. AFC is continuing to grow in its capacity to provide housing and supportive services despite the current economic and other challenges facing us. In 2008 AFC added 18 beds to it's housing portfolio, and doubled the scope of it's drop-in services, enhanced its scope of medical care, HIV testing and treatment, and began a GED program. In 2009, AFC is continuing to grow and will add an additional 18 beds before the end of the year, bringing the total number of beds offered to 66. In 2009, AFC has received over $400K in new funding from the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, and the New York State Department of Health, bringing it's total budget to $4.3 Million. Through it's street outreach, drop-in, and emergency and transitional housing services, AFC provides services to over 300 homeless LGBT youth per day.

We are very grateful to receive so much government support for the work we do with LGBT youth. But with a population of over 1,000 homeless LGBT youth on the streets of NYC, no one agency can provide all the services needed. We are very troubled by recent decisions by DYCD to cease funding the Bronx Community Pride Center's youth drop-in services, and to remove more than half of the funding for Green Chimney's transitional living program. Homeless LGBT youth continue to be underserved in our City, and continue to face greatly disproportionate violence and harassment. The decisions to remove funding from Bronx Community Pride and Green Chimneys endanger the welfare of these underserved and very vulnerable youth. AFC calls on DYCD and the City of New York to restore their funding.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT CATHY@RENNACOMMUNICATIONS.COM OR CALL 917-757-6123