Bea Arthur’s shelter for homeless queer youth will open in 2017

Yes, the woman who stole our hearts in the cult classic Golden Girls is advocating for queer, homeless youth from the grave.

Back in 2009, when Bea died she bequeathed $300,000 to New York City‘s Ali Forney Center for homeless LGBT youth. This chunk of money would go to restoring an old, dilapidated home in NYC’s East Village and transform it into the Bea Arthur Residence — which houses 18 beds as well as counseling and case management services for queer youth.

“These kids at the Ali Forney Center are literally dumped by their families because of the fact that they are lesbian, gay or transgender — this organization really is saving lives,” the actress told New York Magazine in 2005.

The Bea Arthur Residence was formed by Cooper Square Committee and the Ali Forney Center as a solution to the number of homeless queer youth in NYC.

There are an estimated 4,000 homeless teenagers in NYC, according to a 2008 Census survey. Up to 40 percent — 1,600 homeless teenagers — are LGBTQ. This is a continuing problem in the queer community as young people come out younger and younger to an overall accepting public, but still face rejection by their families. This new housing unit will provide those young queers a safe haven and a warm bed.

Architectural firm, Magnusson Architecture and Planning designed 222 East 13th Street as a 3 unit building with 3 bedroom apartments to house 18 homeless LGBT youth. The 4 story building is also getting an addition in the rear, enlarging it from 4,900 sq. ft. to over 6,000 sq. ft.

“Now between our 12 housing sites and 24/7 drop-in center we are able to provide for over 1,000 youths per year,” Carl Siciliano, the Executive Director of the Ali Forney Center, wrote about Arthur’s legacy in the Huffington Post.

“I honestly don’t know how we would have made it through the recession without that extraordinary gift. Bea Arthur truly meant it when she said she would do anything to help our kids.”