In New York City, the Ali Forney Center (AFC) is a lifeline for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness. The need continues to grow: In 2011, the nonprofit’s wait list for temporary housing was 100 young people. Today, it exceeds 450.
Partnering with McKinsey, AFC developed a five-year strategy to strengthen the organization through a greater focus on its most impactful services, stronger partnerships with other service organizations, and a more resilient funding model.
AFC’s youth advisers, all former clients, played a critical role in shaping the strategy. Their experiences reinforced a key finding: Case management is a major driver of long-term independence, helping young people navigate services. Strengthening this could help clients secure stable housing faster, allowing AFC to serve more young people with its existing housing resources.
For AFC President and Executive Director Alexander “Alex” Roque, that insight changed how the organization thinks about growth. “The breakthrough was realizing that we didn’t have to wait a decade to make a difference,” Roque said.
The story of AFC’s transformation highlights a broader theme this Pride Month: creating environments where LGBTQ+ people can thrive. Explore McKinsey research on LGBTQ+ experiences in the workplace and the importance of allyship, and meet Kirk Rieckhoff, the new global leader of Equal at McKinsey, the firm’s LGBTQ+ affinity group.
The Ali Forney Center: A new strategy to meet the rising needs of unhoused LGBTQ+ youth
Kirk Rieckhoff on service, belonging, and leading through change
Equal at 30: Stories of LGBTQ+ leadership, partnership, and progress
Diverse gathering of LGBTQ+ senior leaders tackles the community’s global challenges
Active allyship: Do your LGBTQ+ employees feel supported and included?