Through arts events, scientific lectures, children’s activities and community forums, we have raised awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS and how to reduce new infections like never before. We at Samaritan House have been proud to be a part of such a momentous undertaking, which could not have happened without the dedication of hundreds of volunteers and thousands of concerned community members. You have helped make a difference that will resonate for years to come throughout our community.

Author/activist Kay Warren visits Samaritan House
On Tuesday, April 22, Samaritan House was pleased to welcome Kay Warren, Director of the HIV/AIDS Initiative and co-founder (with her husband Rick, author of the best-selling The Purpose-Driven Life) of Saddleback Church, a nationally known mega-church in Southern California. Mrs. Warren’s own book, Dangerous Surrender, chronicles her personal journey from a life bounded by family and church to a world-wide mission to bring care and healing to those infected with, or affected by, the HIV virus.

This journey began when she happened to pick up a magazine article about the more than 12 million children in Africa orphaned by AIDS. “It was as though someone just ripped this huge blindfold off my face, and it haunted me,” she recalled. “I realized that God was calling me to care about people with HIV, and I did, and it began this incredible journey. It changed the whole direction of my life. It changed what I care about and…what I talk about, what I think about, what I read, what I do.”

The compassion and level of commitment shown by Mrs. Warren during her visit were reflective of the profound experiences she has undergone as she has pursued her goal to bring attention, understanding and action to the HIV/AIDS cause. As a result of her battle with breast cancer, and later, skin cancer, she has no trouble understanding the fears and suffering of those diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. She has traveled widely in Africa and Asia, seeking solutions to such problems as the overwhelming number of children orphaned by AIDS in Africa, and the widespread practice of selling young children into slavery in the sex trade in Asia.

Mrs. Warren was in Fort Worth to address the General Conference of the United Methodist Church, a gathering of 922 delegates from all parts of the country. It was a homecoming of sorts, since she and her husband lived in Fort Worth while he studied at Southwestern Theological Seminary. The visit to Samaritan House was the culmination of conversations and correspondence between Mrs. Warren and Samaritan House friends and staff, during which she expressed interest in learning more about the services the agency offers its residents.

Expressing an interest in finding organizations that can serve as models for individuals and groups wanting to find a way to make a difference in the AIDS situation here and abroad, Mrs. Warren listened intently as residents told their stories, and looked carefully at every part of Samaritan House and The Villages. There was a palpable sense of a shared mission, a mutual wish to see programs such as Samaritan House and Mrs. Warren’s HIV/AIDS initiative push forward the effort to end the AIDS crisis.

There’s hardly time to take a breath before moving on to new challenges. After all, until HIV/AIDS is a thing of the past, we still have work to do. Won’t you consider joining us this summer to help improve the lives of the homeless and low-income families we serve who have been affected by HIV? Click here to learn more about the many volunteer opportunities available to you.