Thank you for being a friend, again

Bea Arthur is my hero - the gays loved her, still love her, and as long as The Golden Girls, Maude and All in the Family are on DVD, will always love her.

Bea loved the gays back - she generously left homeless gay teenagers $300,000!



From The Ali Forney Center web site:

The Ali Forney Center (AFC) is planning to name one of it's transitional residences in honor of Bea Arthur, as an expression of gratitude for Bea's extraordinary kindness and generosity to the homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth served by AFC.

The Ali Forney Center currently operates both emergency and transitional housing programs. The emergency housing program provides short-term shelter aimed at providing stability and guidance to youth suffering homelessness. The transitional housing program is aimed at providing longer-term housing for up to two years while residents pursue the educational and vocational goals that will allow them to live independent lives and overcome homelessness.

The Bea Arthur Residence will house 12 youths. $430K per year has been obtained from the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to support it's operational funding. AFC is currently working with the Hudson Planning Group to secure government and private funds to support the acquisition of a building to provide this home. AFC is currently renting all of its transitional housing sites, and has secured a generous three year grant from the Oak Foundation to support its work with the Hudson Planning Group to purchase housing sites. AFC is currently working with Rapid Realty to identify sites in Brooklyn to purchase.

The Ali Forney Center aims to provide LGBT youth with the support and guidance that they should receive from their families. All youth residing in AFC's transitional housing program are required to find employment and finish high school. Youth are supported in pursuing higher education, and are required to save a portion of their incomes. Mental health counseling is offered to our residents to help them overcome the pain and confusion of having been rejected by their families because of their LGBT identities. An intensive Life Coaching program has been developed with dedicated volunteers who help mentor our youth in pursuing their career goals and aid them in developing the skills they need to live independently.

If you would like to support the Bea Arthur Residence CLICK HERE

From The Daily News:

'Golden Girls' star Bea Arthur leaves $300,000 in will to NY group that helps gay homeless youths

Bea Arthur left $300,000 in her will to a New York organization that aids homeless gay youth.
The Ali Fornay Center provides services to more than 1,000 each year, and is planning to buy a building to house 12 young people - and name it in honor of the "Golden Girls" actress.

The head of the center said he is thrilled with the stage and television legend's generosity.
"We work with hundreds of young people who are rejected by their families because of who they are," said Executive Director Carl Siciliano.

"We are overwhelmed with gratitude that Bea saw that LGBT youth deserve as much love and support as any other young person, and that she placed so much value in the work we do to protect them, and to help them rebuild their lives," he said.

The Ali Forney Center offers emergency shelter and transitional housing in seven residential sites in New York. It also operates two drop-in centers offering food, clothing, medical and mental health treatment, HIV testing, treatment and prevention services, and vocational and educational assistance.