On Friday, June 12th, 2009, Dr. Bill Thierfelder, Professor of English at Dowling College, will undertake his fourth Journey for Safe Spaces, a fund-raising event for Long Island Gay Lesbian Youth (LIGALY) and its Safe Schools Initiative. Starting at 10 A.M. he will cycle from Dowling's Brookhaven Campus in Shirley to the LIGALY center in Bay Shore to help raise awareness about the need for emotionally and physically safe environments for all young people on Long Island regardless of their race, color, national origin, religious or political affiliation, mental or physical dexterity or their gender or sexual orientation. No child should be afraid of going to school because of who he or she is; Dr. Bill's 35 mile trek is his commitment to ensuring that LIGALY will continue to provide services that foster awareness and acceptance for all the youth in our region. Now, more than ever, your financial contributions are needed to help make that possible. Please support Dr. Bill's Journey and show all children and teens across Nassau and Suffolk that they matter! Donations may be made on line at www.ligaly.org or you can make a check out to LIGALY-Safe Schools and send it to LIGALY, 35 Park Avenue, Bay Shore, NY 11706