David Rosenstein plans to run the New York City Marathon while juggling three balls for the Ali Forney Center, which serves homeless and at-risk LGBTQ+ youth. He has raised more than $10,000 for the organization, NY1 reports. The center is an official charity partner of this year’s race, according to its marathon page.
The fundraiser connects one runner’s effort to a larger charity program. New York Road Runners says more than 14,000 charity runners raised a record $80 million for more than 600 organizations during the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. Those totals describe the previous year’s race, not Rosenstein’s fundraiser or this year’s results, which are not reported here.
The need behind the fundraiser
The Ali Forney Center says founder Carl Siciliano established it in 2002 in memory of Ali Forney. It began with six beds in a church basement and has since grown into an agency dedicated to serving LGBTQ+ and at-risk homeless youth, according to the center’s history.
A New York City Department of Youth and Community Development report recorded 1,386 residential-access reports from July 1 through December 31, 2024, for youth who could not access a bed on the day they sought placement. The figure counts reports, not necessarily distinct young people, and is not specific to the Ali Forney Center. It offers a limited snapshot of reported difficulty accessing beds, rather than a count of all young people experiencing homelessness.
A first for Rosenstein
Rosenstein has run marathons before, but this will be his first full marathon while juggling, NY1 reports. He told the outlet that, as a high school student, he knew he would have a place to stay after coming out and worries that other young people may not have that security. Whether he completes the full course while juggling—and how much the effort ultimately raises—remains to be seen.
