FIERCE

A FIERCE Fight in the West Village

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

It’s cold on the Christopher St. Pier in the winter time—not the kind of place you want to stand still after the sun sets and the wind whips off the Hudson. For a lot of New York City teenagers, however, the Greenwich Village waterfront is the best place to be in any weather.

Very Hard Times for At-Risk Youth

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Services targeting LGBT youth are among the casualties of the current economic crisis, which is cutting into state and private funding for non-profits. If more dollars and programs are lost, the at-risk population could be put further at risk.

Getting FIERCE on Pier 40

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:00:00 GMT

FIERCE, an advocacy group representing gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth, voiced their concern over the latest Pier 40 development during the last Community Board 2 meeting. The organization wants to build a round-the-clock youth center for the L.G.B.T. community currently frequenting nearby Pier 45.

Gay, gray, and green color hearing on plan for Pier 40

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 04:00:00 GMT

A round-the-clock drop-in center for LGBT youth, wind turbines and solar panels, a middle school, "a new Caffe Cino," a spot for community-based boating, more services for seniors, and assurance that vintage cars won't be dinged by parking lifts were among the many requests - in some cases, more like demands - by community members at the first full public hearing on the new Pier 40 redevelopment proposal on Monday evening.

Pier 40 Plan Taking Shape

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Wind turbines and solar panels, a round-the-clock, drop-in center for gay and lesbian youth, a middle school, a “new Caffe Cino,” a spot for community-based boating, more stuff for seniors and assurance that vintage cars won’t be dinged by parking lifts were among the many requests — in some cases, more like demands — by community members at the first full public hearing on the new Pier 40 redevelopment proposal on Monday evening.

FIERCE Schools the Community

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:00:00 GMT

We learned our lesson with the Christopher Street Pier. We learned that development decisions get made without the input of the most disenfranchised communities that the development would impact, especially the ones with the least access to voice, money and power. So now we had a great opportunity to say not only what we dn't want in this development but to say what we do want, to be proactive.

Re: Pier 40 plan sails smoothly for most part at committee

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Finally, we would like to pledge the Friends of Leroy Dog Run’s support to the L.G.B.T. youth of the community. They are in dire need of a space in the neighborhood to service the untold numbers of young people that historically gather in the Far West Village.

L.G.B.T. youth group fights fiercely for a S.P.O.T. to drop in at Pier 40 in the Hudson River Park

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

By the evening’s end, the FIERCE members were overjoyed with how the campaign launch went. Not only did they get a better turnout than expected from their constituency, there was also a showing by other neighborhood organizations, including Jill Hanekamp, a representative of the Pier 40 Partnership.

Standing up for gay youth and combating prejudice

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

John Blasco, 19, is a gay youth living in the East Village. Through his work as a volunteer, and through a kind, humble approach, he has built relationships in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community that span the Downtown community and the city. During his senior year, he was president of the Gay-Straight Alliance at Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn. Since graduation, he has become vocal about issues affecting his community.

In Feting FIERCE, Astraea Bolsters a New Generation

Thu, 22 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

FIERCE's responsiveness to its community is seen nowhere more than in its commitment to leadership development. The group runs an internship program that provides five-week trainings to youths interested in learning the ropes of community organizing. With a stipend for the interns, in-house meals while they're in the office, and subway fare, the group commits $30,000 annually to the effort, which currently boasts its largest class - 16 young people.