Mission
The mission of Fraternity House, Inc. is to provide warm and caring homes where vulnerable persons disabled by HIV/AIDS can receive comprehensive care and services in order to rebuild their health and return to independent living, or where they can spend their last days in comfort and dignity.
A Message From Our Board President
May 30, 2024
Dear Fraternity House Family,
Can you picture the big living room at Fraternity House? So many life events have taken place in that room. Over the years, many resident Celebration of Life services have been held there. Other days, it’s a place for quiet conversation, or a break from the bustle of the house. It is a room full of song during the holidays. There is always laughter, and delicious aromas coming from the kitchen… all of those little things that make a house a home.
In the story of Fraternity House, Inc. (FHI), there have been many houses. Some we were kicked out of, and told to go away, in the early dark days. Some we never opened due to “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY) push-back. Yet, each house that truly became a place to call home, is a testament to our community of friends, donors, board, staff and volunteers. Your dedication, donations, and fierce advocacy is why we are still in operation today.
The most enduring of our house stories is that of our Elfin Forest home. First championed by Pam Slater-Price, past member of the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors, we have been leasing our home in Elfin Forest for $1 per year, for 31 years now. Wow! What a legacy.
In early 2025, FHI will reach the end of our current lease with the County of San Diego. This milestone gave us pause. The staff and board evaluated programs, and we considered a lease renewal for our Elfin Forest Home. After many internal and external discussions, we have made the strategic decision to retire our Elfin Forest home.
But this is FHI after all, and as the sign over our door says, we continue to “expect a miracle.”
As one door closes, we have made sure that seven more will open. With this pivot, FHI will be able to open seven more two-bedroom apartments near our Vista home, Michaelle House. Overall, the closure of one house, coupled with the opening of seven apartment units, means our housing capacity will increase from 34 beds up to 42 beds.
In the last 10 years, Residents moved into our houses because they lacked access to consistent healthcare, medication, shelter and food. Due to scientific advances in medication, once these basic needs were met, the majority of our Residents can get their viral load to zero, rebuild their physical health, and get the tools they need to address mental health and sobriety. Residents then begin to set goals for their future – something we could not truly fathom, but often hoped for, in our early years. Today, only approximately 30% of our Residents need our long-term, 24-hour and end-of-life care. We rejoice in this decreasing statistic!
While the need for end-of-life care for individuals living with HIV has greatly lessened, 24-hour care is still an important part of the San Diego County’s continuum of HIV care. We will continue to meet that need at Michaelle House. FHI remains grateful to the County of San Diego and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Program for working closely with us as we came to this decision. Rest assured, all current Residents will remain in our care during this transition. They will be moving to Michaelle House, or over to the Semi-Independent Living (SIL) apartment program. Likewise, we are retaining and adjusting staff roles and responsibilities. Our administrative offices will move to Michaelle House.
Further, with the support of our local Lowe’s Home Store, events like North Coast Church’s Day of Service, and donations from people like you, we will give Michaelle House a significant remodel this coming fiscal year. This way we can ensure that Michaelle House will be ready to endure the long haul, and continue to serve those who need safe, stigma-free 24-hour care, and dignified end-of-life care.
And so our mission remains steadfast: To provide warm and caring homes for vulnerable individuals living with HIV/AIDS so that they may rebuild their health and return to independent living; or where they can spend their last days in comfort and dignity.
We remain optimistic for a future where more people living with HIV have added housing security. We are proud to grow as providers of stable, affordable housing and care. Moreover, in reflecting on the needs of those we serve, we have identified a new program area: Alumni Services. This program will help those transitioning from our SIL apartments to their own independent housing.
Over the past six years we have been graduating Residents to our Semi-Independent Living apartments to pursue higher education or job readiness training, and to live more independently. SIL Residents cook for themselves, manage their own medications, continue their sobriety, and build their own community connections.
The SIL Apartment program design includes weekly check-ins, weekly grocery store transport, wrap-around case management, and a monthly safety, medication, and cleanliness inspection. We have worked hard to prevent isolation and foster a community of care and support. This program has demonstrated a high rate of success, but we can’t do our great work without you!
Join with us in this time of transition. Change is never easy and we need your encouragement. We want to hear from you. Send your questions, concerns, and messages of hope to Board President Scott Guiltner at scott@fraternityhouse-inc.org.
A donation in any amount is always appreciated! We work hard to be good stewards of your contributions and we believe in this climate of high homelessness, and a serious lack of affordable housing, the best thing we can do is increase our bed capacity.
In a show of support for the growth of Fraternity House Inc.’s programs, the Board of Director’s past President, Patrick Anderson, has provided a gift of $100,000 to support the agency’s programs and foster opportunities to plan for Fraternity House, Inc.’s future. The gift was made in memory of Patrick’s late husband Lester Olson, who was a tireless supporter and friend to the agency. We hope you will help us to raise an equal amount in matching funds.
Visit us online at www.fraternityhouse-inc.org/support to make a donation today.
For many of us, retiring our Elfin Forest Home comes with a few tears, especially for those of us who have been around since the early days. We are working to ensure that meaningful things like the Tree of Life and Memorial Bricks move with us. If you would like to join this preservation committee, contact Board Treasurer Lisa Lipsey at info@fraternityhouse-inc.org.
If you would like to volunteer your time and talents, please contact Executive Director Danni Hickey at executivedirector@fraternityhouse-inc.org. We could use support with Resident events and activities, helping remodel Michaelle House, yardwork, inventorying and moving, or you can help out at a special fundraising event.
Lastly, we are planning a retirement party for our Elfin Forest home on Saturday, September 7 at 2:00 p.m. We would love to see you there! Kindly RSVP to Danni Hickey at executivedirector@fraternityhouse-inc.org.
Keeping Love Alive,
Scott Guiltner
Board President
and
Lisa Lipsey
Board Treasurer & Strategic Planning Chair
Please make a note of our new mailing address starting July 1, 2024:
Fraternity House, Inc.
Admin Office/Michaelle House
687 Riviera Court
Vista, CA 92084
Tony’s Story
We took a recent Dignity Project outing to Mission Bay for a picnic and a beach walk. Tony, who moved from Michaelle House to the SIL Apartments this past July, shared that this was the area where he slept during his eight years of homelessness. A gentle spirit, Tony came to us barely saying two words. He was recovering from a serious bout of illness and a hospital stay. After rebuilding his health, the biggest barrier to moving him forward from our 24-hour care homes was appropriate access to mental health care. With encouragement from staff, he found the right balance of medication and meditation. As Tony came out of his shell more, he inspired us to give back by suggesting that Michaelle House make and deliver bagged lunches to the homeless. It has become a monthly Dignity Project outing.
In preparation for his move forward to SIL, Tony set up services with minimal assistance. Then he helped at the apartment, from lining the shelves to assembling furniture. At the SIL monthly meeting, he came up with the name for our “Taste of Kindness” Baking Club. Twice a month the apartment residents gather with our lovely volunteer Marilynn, to bake and donate goodies to a local soup kitchen/homeless program. In Tony’s own words, “I never imagined having my own place. It’s the first time I’ve ever even had my own bedroom.” How do we help the homeless? Day by day, steadfast and true, we go back to our mission and “Keeping Love Alive”.
Housing is Healthcare
Across our 32 years on the frontline of HIV/AIDS housing and care, FHI has witnessed miracles, both big and small; the kind of transformations that can only come out of great love. Residents join the Fraternity House family at a time when they need a safe place to land and an extra helping hand. Rent is charged on a sliding scale, and no one is turned away due to lack of income.
Our two residential homes provide 24-hour care, access to medical care, medications and treatment, case management, goal setting, life skills instruction, recreational outings, wellness activities, and connection to community support programs (e.g. support groups, sobriety programs, and mental health services). Within our family environment, Residents are afforded the personal dignity and support to reach their highest level of independence. For those who can transition from 24-hour care, we provide a path to greater independence through our furnished Semi-Independent Living apartments. Learn more about our levels of care here
Rebuilding Health, Rebuilding Lives
The Semi-Independent Living Apartments (SIL) Program was founded in January 2019. For Residents who are able to rebuild their health, it can be daunting to take the next step to independence: finding affordable, furnished housing here in San Diego County. Our SIL program now offers five two-bedroom apartments. Making the move to an apartment means a Resident has regained their health, does not require assistance with daily living, and has demonstrated the ability to manage their own health and welfare. Residents who graduate to the apartments receive ongoing case management, transportation and goal-setting support, and a weekly check-in. This awesome personal and FHI programmatic leap would not be possible without generous grants from the Nordson Corporation, San Diego HIV Funding Collaborative, and the Bronner Family Foundation/Dr. Bronner’s, as well as the ongoing support of the County of San Diego HUD/HOPWA Program and donors like you.
KPBS’ “Expect a Miracle”
Shares the FHI Story
Fraternity House is proud to be featured in a special KPBS documentary airing on World AIDS Day, Tuesday, December 1 at 8:00 PM. Tune in or set your DVR to record “Expect A Miracle: Finding Light in the Darkness of a Pandemic” …The Story of Fraternity House and The AIDS Crisis in San Diego.
The film weaves our organization’s history into the wider unfolding of the AIDS epidemic as it was experienced locally, sharing the personal story of FHI Board Member Lisa Lipsey, who was in 8th grade when her Uncle Char stayed and passed away at Fraternity House. We are very proud to partner in sharing the story of the early days of the AIDS crisis and how compassionate people stood up in powerful ways. We hope it serves to inspire our community
at this relevant moment in time.
“Expect a Miracle” is directed by Emmy® nominated Independent Filmmaker Jonathon Hammond and is part of KPBS Explore, a local programming initiative to grow the quality and quantity of unique local content.
COVID-19: Protecting Our Residents
Fraternity House, Inc. is deeply committed to protecting the well-being of our Residents, Staff, and the greater Fraternity House Family. In light of COVID-19, we have implemented a variety of measures to keep everyone healthy and safe. Despite some unwelcome adjustments, our Residents are adapting and doing well. Visitors to our care homes remain restricted and Residents only leave for medical appointments and select approved outings. Our essential Staff remains masked and we are taking extra precautions, including taking temperatures at shift changes. We have temporarily canceled our Fraternity Feast events, volunteer visits, and church dinners. While we truly miss our greater FHI family, we are meeting our mission, business as usual, with greater infection control, expanded indoor life skills activities, telehealth technology, and ongoing access to counseling services. FHI plans to rise up from this challenging time stronger!
With Gratitude
To all our foundation funders, corporate donors, churches, families, and individual donors who have pledged support through this critical time, we are beyond grateful!
