Housing Works: Housing Prevents AIDS. Housing Improves Health.

Community Story

• Esther Boucicault

  Esther Boucicault founded FEBS in 1996 shortly after she was diagnosed with HIV, having lost her first husband and young son to AIDS. She is credited with being the first person in Haiti to publicly admit to having HIV.

• Dr. Vati Poitevien, Medical Director

• Michael Goins, Medical Director

• Joanne Staats—Associate Medical Director

• Valerie Santangelo, Assistant Medical Director

• Natacha Baron, Associate Medical Director

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  José Ortiz

  We’re thrilled that your support keeps Housing Works businesses thriving—we’ve opened "two new thrift shops this year!":http://www.housingworks.org/news-press/detail/housing-works-strong-sales-necessitate-move-to-larger-tribeca-location/ — not just because the stores raise money for lifesaving HIV/AIDS services, but because our businesses provide life-changing jobs to Housing Works clients who enroll in our "Second Life Job Training Program":http://www.housingworks.org/services/prevention/job-training/ (JTP). When José Ortiz was released from prison in 1996,he was HIV-positive, addicted to drugs and homeless. But Ortiz soon became a Housing Works client, and enrolled in JTP. Since graduating from the program, Ortiz has been a valued sales associate and sorter at Housing Works Thrift Shops for the last 11 years. Ortiz is one of 261 JTP grads who have gone on to jobs at Housing Works with a guaranteed starting salary of $25,000 and full benefits.

• Bali White Inspires

  New York City LGBT Pride is June 28! This year, Housing Works is especially proud of our Coordinator of Transgender Services Bali White. Bali is being honored this week by City Comptroller Bill Thompson for spearheading our pioneering services for HIV-positive and HIV-negative transgender New Yorkers, a population especially hard hit by the AIDS epidemic. Read more about "Bali":http://www.housingworks.org/about/people/community-stories/detail/bali-white-inspires/ and Housing Works’ efforts to push New York State to pass "GENDA":http://www.housingworks.org/activism/new-york-state/gender-expression-non-discrimination-act-genda/ , legislation that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression.