Samaritan House News October 2007

Frogs Get Crafty For “Out Of The Box”
Artistic Vision Helps Support Agency Mission
More Life To Entertain, Educate, Engage Public

Frogs Get Crafty For “Out Of The Box”

An "out there" centerpiece

Samaritan House and Texas Christian University have partnered on projects before, but not on the scale of the preparations made for the upcoming Out of the Box luncheon, taking place on November 14th at the Round-Up Inn.

Approximately 350 entering TCU freshman who took part in this summer’s “Frog Camp” orientation helped design unique table decorations for the annual fundraising event. Marcy Paul, Samaritan House’s Director of Development, and George Miller, a Samaritan House resident and volunteer, worked with the students to bring out their inner creativity. Their efforts resulted in a charming collection of quirky and stylish “box” centerpieces. Frog Camp Co-Directors Lauren Lieb and David Spencer organized the community service project.

Brittany Thomas, a TCU Political Science and Communication Intern, is also working closely with Paul and Administrative Associate Wes Hurford on overall coordination of the event; TCU Advertising and Public Relations student Lauren Dipprey, in partnership with Jan Simus of Jan Simus Events, will assist with event planning.

Organizers expect upwards of 400 guests to attend this year’s Out of the Box luncheon, which will focus on Samaritan House’s role in helping residents climb out of the “box” they find themselves in after being diagnosed with HIV. The program will feature remarks by CEO Steve Dutton and testimonials by Misti Waller and Thomas Hanney.

A highlight of this year’s program will be a small children’s choir, composed of children who live at The Villages at Samaritan House or whose parents are Genesis program clients. Melinda Allen of Unity Church will provide accompaniment and direction for the group. “Melinda is equally talented as a musician and as a children’s choir director,” says Sarah Deats, Director of Communication. “It’s amazing to watch her bring out the best in these young children.”

Valet Parking will be available and lunch is provided as part of the program. For more information, or if you would like to attend the event, please call 817-332-6410 x195.

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Artistic Vision Helps Support Agency Mission

George

George was fortunate to combine a passion for art and theater to make a way of life for himself. As the founder of Too Blue Scenic, a set design company, he found a perfect match for his talents and interests. At the time he didn’t recognize that this opportunity might lead him to make life-threatening choices.

Too Blue Scenic was so successful in designing and installing theatrical scenery for special events that George had a hard time keeping up with demand. As his company expanded and a new facility opened, he worked longer and longer hours, using drugs to mask his exhaustion. Two years of addiction ended when friends and colleagues intervened, convincing him to go to rehab.

George's décor at 2006 Out of the Box luncheon

George came to Samaritan House in May of 2006 and has become a valued member of the Samaritan House family. His décor has given tremendous style and flair to special events such as the Supper Club Appreciation Dinner and the annual Out of the Box luncheon.

“George’s gifts and vision are a real asset to Samaritan House,” said Marcy Paul, Director of Development. “Not only is he professional and energetic in his approach to these events, but he also brings an insider’s perspective to his work as a resident of Samaritan House.”

Arts Goggle visitor view's George's work

George’s artistic involvement reaches beyond the Samaritan House community these days. At the recent Arts Goggle event, one of George’s paintings was displayed. Marcy Paul recognizes this as beneficial both for George and the greater Samaritan House community. “This kind of participation in a larger community event helps encourage individual expression from talented folks like George,” she says, “while also revealing a deeper, more personal side of the lives within the Samaritan House walls that many may not ever see. It helps make what’s going on much more real for everyone.”

We can look forward to George’s latest creations at this year’s Out of the Box luncheon on November 14.

For more information about Too Blue Scenic and George’s artwork, please email us at info@samaritanhouse.org.

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More Life To Entertain, Educate, Engage Public

Nearly two dozen community arts, education and nonprofit service groups are teaming up with area AIDS Service Organizations to offer More Life: The Art and Science of AIDS, a community-wide series of events that will take place throughout the month of May 2008. Centerpiece for the festival is the Fort Worth Opera’s production of the opera version of Angels in America, the Pulitzer Prize-winning play about the early days of the AIDS epidemic. The opera will be produced at Scott Theater, located at the Community Arts Center. CAC’s galleries will host additional More Life exhibitions and events.

The Fort Worth Opera and Samaritan House are joined by AIDS Outreach Center, AIDS Resources of Rural Texas and Tarrant County AIDS Interfaith Network in presenting an array of educational events that will reach every segment of our area’s population. Plays, films panel discussions and other events will appeal to the general public, with a focus on three groups of people most dramatically affected by HIV today: young people, women and people of color.

Angels in America

Previously considered to be a disease specific to white gay males, HIV has spread its reach far and wide. Today, nearly half of new HIV infections are among those between the ages of 15 and 24. Many of these young people were not even alive during the initial AIDS epidemic scare of the 1980’s. Nearly two-thirds of new HIV cases are among African-Americans; three-quarters of new infections among women are transmitted through heterosexual contact.

“The variety of programming for the More Life festival has been strategically planned to create a ‘comfortable curiosity.’” says Jan Titsworth, event coordinator. “By partnering with arts organizations, faith-based communities and public entities like libraries, we can engage people in a setting where they are open to receiving new ideas and information.”

Exciting original projects are underway, crossing an array of media. Jubilee Theater and Tarrant County College humanities students have been interviewing Samaritan House residents and clients of our AIDS Service Organization partners about living with HIV. Jubilee will produce several stories through dramatic interpretation and dance at its downtown theater. TCC students are shooting a documentary that will run at CAC during the Festival as well, and several Samaritan House residents and their art will be showcased in an exhibit in one of the CAC galleries.

The Fort Worth Public Library Foundation will underwrite the production of a children’s book that features the stories of children and youth touched by HIV/AIDS.  Stories will be interspersed with “angel art” created by Fort Worth ISD students.  TCU’s Center for Civic Literacy will produce a series of Town Hall meetings, designed to create more open dialogue in the community about HIV/AIDS.

Leadership Fort Worth, a training program for those wishing to learn the skills involved in civic leadership, will participate in the project by spreading word of the festival among community leaders, generating community “buzz.”

“The best way to curtail the AIDS epidemic is through education and awareness,” says Titsworth. “That is the primary mission of More Life.” As for response from the community so far, she says it has been “tremendous,” particularly within the arts community.

For more information about the More Life festival, please email info@morelifetexas.com, or click here for a list of partner organizations involved to date.

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