The Ali Forney Center Celebrates Success Stories with Pride Campaign Photographed by Mike Ruiz

Photographer Mike Ruiz reached out to AFC asking how he could support our efforts and we collectively came up with the idea to celebrate some of AFC's success stories through a series of stylized portraits which Mike photographed. We'd like to thank Mike for being a long time supporter of AFC and for doing this campaign which kicks off Pride Month. We'd also like to thank the amazing crew who generously donated their time and effort to make this campaign a reality - Wardrobe Stylist:  Alison Hernon, Make-up Artist: Frankie Byrd, Hair Stylist: Corey Tuttle 

The Ali Forney Center is the largest provider protecting LGBTQ+ homeless youth from the harms of homelessness due to family rejection because of homophobia and transphobia. Through its 24/7 Drop-In Center, “Ali’s Place,” and a network of 13 emergency and transitional housing sites, the Ali Forney Center serves over 2,200 LGBTQ+ young people annually. As a leader in this space, the Ali Forney Center supports organizations to utilize its expertise to replicate its successful model across the U.S. and around the world. (aliforneycenter.org  / Instagram: @aliforneycenter)

Program List:

  • Ali’s Place: a 24/7 Drop-In Center

  • Outreach Services

  • Meals and Nutrition

  • Emergency Services such as showers, restrooms, and laundry

  • Medical Care

  • HIV counseling, testing, and care

  • Substance abuse prevention and treatment

  • Mental Health Care including evaluations, support groups, creative arts therapy, and counseling

  • Community Programs and Activities

  • Emergency Housing Sites

  • Vocational and Educational Placement Assistance including: High School Equivalency classes, work readiness programming, life skills training, and internship programs

  • Transitional Housing Sites

  • Model Replication

Key Statistics:

The Ali Forney Center serves over 2,200 youth annually. 50% of these youth are from New York state, 40% are from around the country, and 10% are international – highlighting the pervasive issue of LGBTQ+ youth homelessness.

The Ali Forney Center believes in serving healthy and nutritious meals to our youth. Due to their given circumstances more than 70% of youth arriving at our doors have experienced some form of food insecurity or lack of access to nourishing meals. AFC serves an estimated 385,000 meals a year across our drop-in center and 13 housing sites.

AFC’s housing program consists of  5 Emergency Housing Sites, 5 Transitional Housing Sites, and 3  Transgender Housing Sites. Our Emergency Housing Sites are 3-6 month long programs for our youth to catch their breath and focus on stabilization. Our Transitional Housing  Sites are two-year long programs in which our youth build steps towards self-sufficiency, including finding employment and internships, or completing school. Our Transgender Housing is a specialized form of Transitional Housing with an additional year of support and an entirely non-binary and transgender environment that focuses on gender affirming care and community. 33% of youth who arrive at the Ali Forney Center identify as transgender.

SAM

“AFC became my parents during a time where I had to learn I couldn’t count on my own family. I was taken care of, despite having parents who didn’t want me as a human because of what I represent to them”  - Sam

Met Sam.

Sam (he/him) was kicked out of his home in his late teens and found himself in NYC without support or a community. Sam arrived at AFC at 19, and discovered a foundation to get back on his feet to go back out into the world with a stronger sense of opportunity.

At AFC, Sam found guidance on his young adult journey of learning about the importance of having a roof over one’s head, how to pay bills, establish career goals, and how to take care of his physical and mental health. For Sam, AFC made this an easy process.

After finding his footing at AFC, Sam set off with a goal to make his name in the world. Today, Sam is an internationally recognized director, writer, costume designer and artist showcasing his artistic visions and stunts at major profile events such as The Met Gala, The Grammy‘s, The Academy Awards, The Tony Awards, The Golden Globes, NYC World Pride and countless others. His works have been shown at the Victoria & Albert Museum, ACMI - The Australian Centre for the Moving Image and he is a curator at the Museum of Broadway in Times Square and most recently a guest curator at Kensington Palace for the institution’s largest exhibition in the history of the palace, which opened to critical acclaim entitled, ‘Crown to Couture’. Sam and his work have been covered in outlets such as The New York Times, Forbes, Vogue, The Hollywood Reporter, Vanity Fair, GQ, Time and many others.

When LGBTQ+ youth have a place to go, when their identities do not inhibit their futures, magnificent things occur. This Pride, we call on you to help us continue fighting for the futures of youth like Sam. Today, we can secure the future of Pride.

KIM

Blouse by Stylist Own
Gloves by Haleia at The Confessional Showroom
Necklace + Ring by Pianegonda

Meet Kim.

At the age of 16, Kimberly left home of her own volition in search of an affirming environment where she could embrace her identity and live authentically as a trans woman. She wandered the streets of NYC until years later, a friend brought her to the Ali Forney Center.

At AFC, Kimberly found a safe place to lay her head down. She found acceptance with folks who looked like her, who understood her story and wanted to help her succeed – and succeed she did.

After finding success through AFC’s internship program and getting back on her feet, she developed a career in social services and public health, playing a vital role in the COVID-19 Pandemic Emergency Response and committing to giving back to the communities around her.

Today, Kimberly proudly serves on the Board of the Ali Forney Center, the Board of FIERCE,  and the Board of the Michelle Obama Community Democratic Club. She recently earned her Certificate in Cannabis Law and Business from Rutgers University and has goals of becoming a Cannabis Business Lawyer.

Today we celebrate Kimberly’s success. We celebrate her resilience, perseverance, and commitment to living her best life authentically. The Ali Forney Center fights to ensure the safe and successful futures of all LGBTQ+ youth who arrive at our doors. Youth are Pride's future, and supporting them is investing in a brighter, more colorful, more inclusive future. Join us. Link in bio to support the good fight.

MADDOX

Meet Maddox.

Maddox (he/him/they/them) arrived at the Ali Forney Center’s doors at the age of 20. After leaving home and school to couchsurf with friends in the hopes of building an authentic life, Maddox heard about AFC during an internship at MoMA.

Upon arriving at AFC Maddox had a clear goal – employment. In addition to gaining housing and respite, Maddox knew that to have a chance at a stable future, he needed money to stand on his own and a job that would fulfill him. Having previously faced discrimination in the job market for being trans, Maddox was comforted by the nurturing and supportive environment at the Ali Forney Center that would enable him to kickstart his career in advocacy.

Today, Maddox is a self-proclaimed Social Impact Visionary. He has spent his years after graduating AFC working alongside the organization, joining the advocacy department. He brought forth an idea for a direct-cash transfer program that is now being piloted beyond AFC and throughout the country, in states such as Maryland, Oregon, Vermont, and California. As a part of AFC’s Technical Assistance team, Maddox relishes the opportunity to work with communities to advise and mentor similar national and international organizations on the successful model of the Ali Forney Center’s Programs.

A rather large recent accomplishment of Maddox’s is the creation of the Hidden Healer’s Campaign – an initiative towards building more culturally ground mental health programs. Pinterest, in collaboration with MTV, recently sponsored the Hidden Healer’s Fund, a million dollar fund to give towards groups represented by the Hidden Healer’s Campaign.

With the support system he found at AFC, Maddox was able to pursue his passions of giving back to those around him. He lives his life using the philosophy of Protopia, a belief that we as people have the power to work towards the world we want to see.

Investing in youth like Maddox is important because investing in LGBTQ+ futures means investing in the creation of a brighter tomorrow. To support the work of the Ali Forney Center, donate today.

TERENCE

“A lot of people think New York can be cutthroat, but it’s where I found myself. I found my community on the dance floor. I was able to discover myself. I could feel comfortable wearing a dress and wearing heels. Having this community of dance has been really rewarding and I wouldn’t have gotten to it without the Ali Forney Center.” - Terence

Meet Terence.

Terence (he/him) arrived at the Ali Forney Center at the age of 18, having come to New York City from Michigan in search of a career in fashion and an LGBTQ+ affirming environment.

According to Terence, his time at AFC shaped him. It was the landscape behind his early years in NYC and defined the opportunities that were available to him. The internship program at AFC placed Terence roles with OUT Magazine and DNA Models, where he was able to cultivate his love for crafting experiences within NYC nightlife.

After his tenure with the Ali Forney Center, Terence dove headfirst into the world of nightlife, working with various venues and DJs. His events include cultivating the List is Closed party at Le Bain, a residency at the Standard Hotel, organizing the Stuntsz queer party, curating a Pride month interview campaign for fotografiska, and facilitating a partnership with 818 Tequila.

Terence’s incredible talent for creating a welcoming and beautifully engaging scene within nightlife has landed him features in Forbes and OUT Magazine.

Terence also serves on the Board of the Ali Forney Center, to give back to the organization that helped him establish roots in New York City and gave him the confidence he needed to be uniquely himself.

This Pride, the Ali Forney Center is celebrating the success of our program graduates. We believe in the magic that can be created when we invest in LGBTQ+ youth and fight for their futures. We ask you to join us in fighting this good fight.

SAMIRAH

Red top by Stylist Own
Necklace by Nicole Amato

“AFC is in me. It impacted me and I returned the impact” - Sami

Meet Samirah.

Samirah (she/her) arrived at the Ali Forney Center on a rainy, Wednesday morning in 2013. She was 20 years old, having just been kicked out of her home by her mother.

Samie recalls her time at AFC as liberating and challenging. It was full of love and new experiences. During her tenure, she experienced a lot of firsts – learning how to navigate a whole new world and the systems within it.

After AFC, Samie’s struggle with homelessness was not over. She faltered a bit, but eventually landed on her two feet, finding employment back with AFC. She started on AFC’s Outreach team for 6 months – finding at-risk youth and guiding them to the Ali Forney Center. She then spent 2.5 years working in support services, doing everything from being a friendly face at our welcome desk to de-escalating situations at the Drop-In Center.

Samie believes in advocacy and in never giving up. She believes living authentically and showing up to spaces being unapologetically yourself. She believes in love, community, music, and Beyonce.

Sami wants to thank Ali Forney for the support over the last 11 years. It will always hold a special place in her heart and she is excited for the future.

The Ali Forney Center believes in fighting for the futures of homeless LGBTQ+ youth. No individual should be denied access to a bright future simply because of their identity and we are proud to stand as a place of respite, success, and hope for those whose families deny them.

Join us, in fighting the good fight.

CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Ali Forney Center
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director + Photographer + Producer: Mike Ruiz
Fashion Stylist: Alison Hernon at Exclusive Artists
Hair: Corey Tuttle at Exclusive Artists
Makeup: Frankie Byrd
Fashion Stylist Interns: Aauyush Aggarwal, Hanna Flores
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine

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