COVID-19 Response
Our Commitment
With the spread of COVID-19, many service organizations are understandably making the difficult decision to temporarily suspend their onsite services. This is not possible for the Ali Forney Center. We cannot close and ask our clients to call from home. We are their home. For LGBTQ+ youth experiencing the terrors of homelessness, we are their first responders. And now they need us more than ever.
COVID-19 Resources
Since March 2020, over 90% of our household clients have lost their jobs due to layoffs related to COVID-19, which means we've had to increase expenses to support their individual needs. Our grocery expenses at our housing sites have increased by $100K and in order to keep our housing and program fully staffed, AFC has offered frontline employees increased pay and funds for work-related travel.
COVID-19 Resources
AFC is here for you during this uncertain time, and you can connect to us through phone or email. You can email your care team directly or call 212-206-0574, and staff will connect you to whomever you need.
It makes sense to feel anxious and overwhelmed right now. Make sure that every day you talk to people that you care about, you keep in touch with people who support you, an you do at least one thing each day that makes you happy.
If, at any point, you feel scared or worried about keeping yourself or someone else safe, please know that there are resources, including AFC, that you may contact for more support. Below is a list of services you can call:
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Trevor Hotline: 1-866-488-7386 (1-866-4-U-TREVOR) - A 24-hour hotline for crisis & suicide prevention for LGBTQ Youth. www.thetreborproject.org.
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Anti-Violence Project (AVP): (212-714-1141) a 24-hour bilingual hotline offering support for LGBTQ people in crisis regarding intimate partner violence, sexual assault, bias, and HIV-related violence.
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800-273-8255; suicidepreventionlifeline.org)
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1-800-NYC-WELL: (1-888-692-9355) this is a free, confidential 24/7 helpline available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, and access to 200 additional translation services.
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Crisis & Suicide Hotline: (515-679-1111), 24/7 hotline.
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Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860.
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SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357), 24/7 365, Spanish and English
Needs by Housing Site
Now more than ever our youth are in need. You can help by purchasing items from our Amazon Wish List.