Ali Forney Center's Oasis Raises $40K for LGBT Youth

Last night's Oasis, the inaugural summer benefit for the Ali Forney Center, was a huge success! With over 400 attendees at the beautiful Hudson Terrace, the event was completely sold out. Guests enjoyed cocktails by 42 Below, and beer by Blue Point brewing Company, as they perused the silent auction and took pictures at the event photo booth. Gorgeous men from Major Model Management filtered through the crowd selling raffle tickets for a trip to Aruba. Money raised from ticket sales, the silent auction and the raffle totaled a whopping $40,000- a remarkable amount for a first year event!

Robert Verdi and Linda Simpson were a hilarious duo serving as the event's emcee's for the night that included a fabulous performance by RuPaul's Drag Race's fan favorite, Jujubee. DJ/Producer Corey Craig kept the crowd energized with a hot summer play list. Celebrity guests included Eduardo Xol, Heather Matarazzo and Caroline Murphy, Yetta Kurland and Marti Gold Cummings.

The Ali Forney Center (AFC) was started in June 2002 in response to the lack of safe shelter for LGBT youth in New York City. They have grown quickly to become the nation's largest and most comprehensive organization dedicated to homeless LGBT youth. They are committed to providing LGBT youth with safe, dignified, nurturing environments where their needs can be met and where they can begin to put their lives back together. The center provides short and long term housing in Manhattan and Brooklyn, plus free medical care, HIV testing, mental health services, showers, food, computer access and job training and placement at its drop-in centers in Chelsea and Brooklyn. AFC hosts other benefits throughout the year such as the fall fundraiser, A Place at the Table, and the spring benefit, Broadway Beauty Pageant.

Photo Credit: Beatrice Neumann