I grew up in the era when AIDS was the most frightening thing we heard about at school. When I hit college, I remember how frightening the specter of AIDS was to my friends in the gay community, and the immediacy of knowing people who died of the disease became overwhelmingly real. Sean Humphrey’s mother, Karen, became a friend and mentor to me after her son had passed away and she had founded the house according to his wishes. Karen’s commitment as a mother who lost her child, and who worked the rest of her life to honor his memory and his wish to look after those without the family and support he had, touches my heart.
Safe housing continues to be an issue that impacts people with HIV/AIDS who have nowhere else to go. Our founding mission continues to guide our work today, and that is to do what we can to help low-income individuals with HIV/AIDS be safe in a home environment, with the care and assistance they need to live happy and comfortable lives.
Over the years, and in spite of legislative and funding challenges, staffing changes, and the changing face of HIV/AIDS, we have survived and honed our housing model to be better every year. It would be amazing if Sean Humphrey House could keep growing that vision to help even more of the people in our community (who we know are out there) to find a safe home. It’s such a basic need, a home and a sense of being a part of a community that cares about you. I’m thankful every day for our amazing staff and volunteers, and the vision which drives our commitment to provide that for our residents.