The Ali Forney Center

The Ali Forney Center's mission is to protect LGBTQ youths from the harms of homelessness and empower them with the tools needed to live independently. 

Our organization's namesake, Ali Forney, was a Black gender-nonconforming teen who fled his home at 13. They entered the unstable foster care system where Ali was placed in several homes and was beaten and abused. Ali ended up living on the streets at the age of 15. Ali was dedicated to helping other young people and publicly advocated for the safety of homeless LGBT youth. Tragically, in December of 1997, Ali was murdered in Harlem—shot in the head and left for dead. 

Watch the incredible story of Ali Forney told by Former Executive Director, Carl Siciliano.

Committed to saving the lives of LGBTQ young people in 2002, Carl Siciliano founded the Ali Forney Center (AFC) in memory of Ali. Since AFC's launch with just six beds in a church basement, the organization has grown to become the largest agency dedicated to LGBTQ homeless youths in the country—assisting more than 2,000 youths per year through a 24-hour Drop-In Center, which provides over 70,000 meals annually, medical and mental health services through an on-site clinic, and a scattered-site housing program. We provide LGBTQ young people with housing and a continuum of supportive services to help them thrive and prepare them for independent living.

AFC has been heralded for our full continuum of care approach to services for LGBTQ homeless youth. AFC's founder, Carl Siciliano, was named a White House Champion of Change by President Obama, citing the wide recognition AFC's programs have received for their quality and innovation.