Samaritan House News October 2007

Hoops Success a Team Effort
A Life’s Work In Art – Renewed Hope
A Life honored Through Service

Hoops Success a Team Effort
The first annual Samaritan House Hoops ‘n Harmony event brought together dozens of community basketball teams and hundreds of onlookers around the common cause of AIDS awareness in the African-American community. Former Dallas Maverick Derek Harper and other community supporters were on hand to educate and entertain on Saturday, September 8th at the Tarrant County Convention Center.

The combined health fair, basketball tournament and concert was well-received, and plans are already in the works for next year.

“The primary goals were two-fold,” said Aaron Siegel, coordinator of the Hoops ‘n Harmony event. “One was to tell the African-American community about Samaritan House. The other was to educate people about the devastation of HIV/AIDS, particularly within the African-American community.”

Though the evening musical performances were sparsely attended, those who were there, including Fort Worth Star Telegram columnist Bob Ray Sanders, were impressed by the event. The key, Siegel notes, is overcoming challenges of communication about a controversial topic like HIV/AIDS.

“Some folks do not want to hear about the reality of HIV/AIDS,” says Siegel. “They don’t want to talk about how it is transmitted or what to do about it.”

All controversy and communication challenges aside, the event was hailed universally as a success. More than forty teams took part in the basketball tournament, and a good portion of the hundreds in attendance milled about between games in the health fair sections of the event.

Much credit for the positive outcomes is due to the tireless work of a number of volunteers, says Siegel. “I’m incredibly grateful to Dr. Jennifer Brooks, Commissioner Roy Brooks, Coach Robert Hughes, and Derek Harper,” he says. “Everyone said they would like to do it again next year. We worked them like crazy, and yet they all signed up to do it again next year. Talk about great teamwork!”

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A Life’s Work In Art — Renewed Hope

A stunning new sculpture to be displayed on the Samaritan House grounds speaks volumes about the community living there. Though many businesses use dramatic pieces of art to greet visitors, the new bronze piece created by Fort Worth sculptor Michael Pavlovsky tells a more personal story of both tragedy and triumph.

Commissioned by an anonymous donor, the abstract sculpture is in honor of Judith Dillard, a longtime AIDS activist, member of Samaritan House’s Board of Directors and client in our Genesis program. The sculpture will be dedicated at a ceremony in the breezeway between the older Samaritan House building and the upper entrance to the adjacent apartment building where the administrative offices are located.

This event, which will include guest speakers and light hors d´oeuvres, takes place at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 11th. Friends of Samaritan House will join Board members, advisory committee members, residents and staff in celebrating this tribute to Judith´s long and courageous journey from the devastation wrought by her AIDS diagnosis to the vital, independent, productive life of community service she enjoys today.

“We hope to inspire visitors and residents with a contemporary piece of sculpture,” says Samaritan House CEO Steve Dutton, “honoring the success and growth occurring in the lives of our residents.” After speaking with several local artists, Dutton chose Michael Pavlovsky to create the piece. Pavlovsky translated the organization’s vision into the work, called Hope Renewed, to be displayed between the two east buildings.

Asked why Judith was chosen by the donor as the honoree of this permanent installation, Dutton explained, “Judith has had great success in recovering from drug addiction and homelessness, and she has become a national advocate for persons living with AIDS. Her story is what Samaritan House is all about: rebuilding lives and restoring hope.”

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A Life Honored Through Service
After fourteen years as a volunteer with Samaritan House, Charlotte Hogan-Price photographed with former Dallas Maverick, Derek Harper is hard at work as an HIV/AIDS advocate. The third of thirteen children from Macon, Georgia, she has consistently found ways to make life better for herself and her own three children. Working in the Tarrant County Probate Court system for more than twenty-five years has given her first-hand knowledge of the challenges that face the African-American community. Nothing, however, could have prepared her for the loss of her brother to AIDS in 1993.

“I was ignorant about the disease,” says Charlotte, “and wanted to educate myself at a time when it was taboo to even talk about. I feel the purpose of my brother´s life came at the end rather than the beginning, because it involved me in an organization that I am most proud of.”

Charlotte resolved that her brother’s passing would not be in vain, and that she would do whatever she could to prevent others from experiencing the same loss and grief that her family endured.

“When AIDS in Black America flashed across every television screen, I got the message,” she says. “It was time to not only talk about it, but do something about it. HIV/AIDS has affected me in a way that I would never have imagined.”

When the prospect of chairing the musical portion of the recent Hoops ´n Harmony event arose, she knew it was important for her to take on the job. “The black community (can be) stubborn and doesn’t always get the message the first time,” says Charlotte.

She sees this year’s event as only the first of many. “We will do it every year until it is as popular as our other fundraisers,” she says.

With the help of local churches and ministers, Charlotte was able to involve a gospel singer, praise dancers and even a gospel rapper. The event also included other professional singers and musicians. “I was overwhelmed with joy as the Harmony coordinator,” she says. “I couldn’t have asked for a better assignment.”

Charlotte believes that the biggest challenges in reaching the African-American community about HIV/AIDS are eliminating the stigma associated with the disease and overcoming fears of getting tested. “The most dangerous element in society is ignorance,” she says. “Our youth think they are invincible, and that (contracting HIV) will never happen to them. We need to uncover our children’s eyes and ears so that they will be informed and hear the truth about a disease that is the number one killer of black women between the ages of 18 and 35.”

Now a grandmother, Charlotte Hogan-Price hopes that her work and ongoing commitment to HIV-related causes will inspire others to spread the message of hope. “Help me educate others about Samaritan House and HIV/AIDS,” she urges, “because we are not (waiting for our) residents to die. We are helping them live a normal life.”

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