community
A LEGACY OF LOVE FRATERNITY HOUSE, INC. TURNS THIRTY
‘Keeping Love Alive Since 1988’ is the tagline for Fraternity House,
Inc., the now thirty-year-old HIV/AIDS housing and care service provider. The agency, with one home in Vista and one in Escondido, manages San Diego County’s only licensed Residential Care Facility for the Chronically-Ill (RCF-CI) dedicated to serving people with HIV/AIDS. The homes operate on a sliding-scale basis, accepting residents regardless of ability to pay.
by lisa lipsey The agency started during the height of the AIDS epidemic, providing hospice care inside
the home of a caring citizen, Founder Ray Bierle. He was one of very few people who opened his heart and home to the legions of dying young men. When neighbors asked why so many men stayed at the house, his stock answer was to say it is a Fraternity House. On May 18, 1988, the home was officially incorporated as a non-profit. For better or for worse, the agency’s housing and care journey continues. Looking ahead, Fraternity House, Inc. Executive Director Matt Harding commented on the evolving needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, “Now that most of our residents not only survive, but thrive, our mission has pivoted to one of giving them agency and empowering them to fulfill their potential, by pursuing their highest possible level of independence. That includes a return to independent living for some and permanently moving out of homelessness. Fraternity House, Inc. has a history as an innovator, and we will build on that to become a leader in providing rehabilitative services to the most vulnerable populations.” “We focus on people living with HIV/AIDS who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness.
Our homeless community faces an infection rate nine times that of the general population. This is further complicated by the fact that a lack of care means many do not receive testing and an HIV diagnosis may come only after becoming very sick. Many of our residents come to us straight from an intensive care unit,” said Harding. “For those homeless individuals who can access medical care, the lack of stable housing and regular meals severely limits the positive effects of an antiretroviral medication regimen. Providing stable housing, nutrition, access to care, and assistance with complicated medicine regimens, we can help them obtain viral suppression, give them a chance to rebuild their health, and eliminate the risk of passing the infection along to someone else.” Board President Patrick Anderson reflected on the history of the agency, “I’m so proud that
our scrappy little organization has made it to such an important milestone. There were a few times over the years when we weren’t sure we’d be able to keep our doors open, but here we are, and at the risk of jinxing something, I’ll say we’re as strong as ever. That is due in large extent to the incredible dedication of so many wonderful supporters—the finest group of people I’ve ever known. It’s strange to realize that Fraternity House and Michaelle House have been important to me for almost a third of my life; and all those amazing people, and the men and women we serve, are the reason why.”
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RAGE monthly | APRIL 2018
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