Kiehl's Honors NYC Pride with 3 LGBT Youth Organization Alliances

Maintaining its long-standing tradition of supporting the LGBTQ community, Kiehl's Since 1851, the New York-based purveyor of fine quality skin and hair care, is celebrating its 15th year of participation in NYC's Pride activities with a community project intended to raise more than $30,000 for LGBTQ youth in New York.

Creating a first-time alliance between The Ali Forney Center, Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI), and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, Kiehl's will donate $15,000 to be divided among the three organizations, to support housing, healthcare, and education services for New York's LGBTQ young people.

Each organization has also been challenged to find a match to their donation, to double the total amount to $30,000. Chris Salgardo, President of Kiehl's USA will present this donation at the official NYC Pride kick-off at the Kiehl's Flagship on Thursday, June 22.

In addition, from Sunday, June 18 to Friday, June 30, Kiehl's is encouraging its community to contribute to this project by accepting donations at each of its eight stores in Manhattan and Brooklyn, no purchase necessary. The three organizations will split this additional donation, using it to provide everything from substance abuse counseling, career preparation, HIV/AIDS prevention, education and resources, and housing to all LGBTQ youth needing help and support.

"This is Kiehl's 15th year celebrating Pride with the city of New York, and I wanted to mark the occasion by supporting the youth of our community," Salgardo said. "LGBTQ youth are the present and future of the Gay Rights movement, and as we celebrate the 48th anniversary of The Stonewall Riots with this year's celebration, I want to do what we can to support that community, particularly those that might not have advocates elsewhere in their lives."

"The Center is thrilled to be a co-beneficiary of Kiehl's Pride campaign this year, and to partner with a company that has remained steadfast in its support of the LGBT community by dedicating crucial resources to help our young people live happy, healthy lives," said Glennda Testone, Executive Director of The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center. "In celebration of Pride, The Center is honored and grateful that Kiehl's has chosen to support the work of three organizations who serve LGBT youth in NYC in demonstration of its long-standing commitment to lifting up and celebrating LGBT young people."

"The Ali Forney Center is honored and most grateful to partner with Kiehl's-a company that has continuously supported our mission to protect LGBTQ youths from the harms of homelessness," said Carl Siciliano, founder and Executive Director of the Ali Forney Center. "This year marks AFC's 15th anniversary, and now more than ever it is vital that community partners advocate for youths who are marginalized simply because they are LGBTQ."

"HMI is incredibly grateful to Kiehl's and the leadership of Chris Salgardo for their ongoing dedication to LGBTQ youth. For young people who lack support and the most basic needs that all young people should have - love, a sense of belonging and community, knowing they have the consistent support of a prestigious brand like Kiehl's is not only reassuring, but also a powerful message that they matter. Indeed, it is life-affirming," said Thomas Krever, CEO of HMI.

2017 marks the seventh year that Kiehl's Since 1851 is an official sponsor of NYC Pride, and the company's 15th year proudly walking in The March.