Parker Posey to Host Third Annual Oasis Benefit for Ali Forney Center

NEW YORK, NY - The Ali Forney Center (AFC) will play host to its popular third annual summer benefit, Oasis, from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., Thursday, July 19, 2012 at The Bowery Hotel's Terrace Room.

This year, actress Parker Posey will act as host with a special performance from RuPaul's Drag Race runner-up Chad Michaels. For the second year, Barclays will be the presenting sponsor for the summer benefit.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, The Ali Forney Center is a homeless shelter and advocacy organization for LGBT teens and young adults with a shelter in Brooklyn and a drop-in center in Manhattan. The center provides short- and long-term housing as well as drop-in services through 10 sites throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.

The Ali Forney Center works to help young people reclaim their pasts and overcome the rejection and abuse they have faced for being who they are. Clients are offered an array of holistic services (including medical and mental health services, as well as vocational and educational programing) to help them begin to live independent lives.

Throughout 2012, all new and increased donations the organization receives will be matched dollar for dollar to open the nation's first 24-hour drop-in center for homeless LGBT youth. Learn more about the drop-in center and AFC's services at www.aliforneycenter.org

Said AFC Executive Director Carl Siciliano, "The Ali Forney Center could not be more pleased that Parker Posey is our host at this great event. Oasis is one of our biggest fundraising events which brings together some of the most dynamic and well-connected people in New York City in support of our work."

Continued Sicilano, "As a longtime supporter of the LGBT community, we are especially grateful that Parker is lending her celebrity to support the most vulnerable members of the LGBT community - our youth."

Thanks to the generous support of Barclays, one hundred percent of the funds raised at the event will support the work of The Ali Forney Center. The company is supporting the event through its LGBT employee network, Spectrum, with both financial support and employee volunteers.

The Ali Forney Center (AFC) was started in June of 2002 in response to the lack of safe shelter for LGBT youth in New York City. The Center is committed to providing these young people with safe, dignified, nurturing environments where their needs can be met, and where they can begin to put their lives back together.

AFC is dedicated to promoting awareness of the plight of homeless LGBT youth in the United States with the goal of generating responses on local and national levels from government funders, foundations, and the LGBT community.

Tickets to the event begin at $75 and continue up to $1000, and may be purchased at www.aliforneycenter.org by clicking on the "events" tab.

For tickets and more information, please visit www.aliforneycenter.org/event/barclaysoasis

For more information, go to: www.aliforneycenter.org