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.

AIDS Walk & Run San Diego 2023

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For decades, Fraternity House Inc’s staff and residents have proudly walked along side our community at the annual San Diego AIDS Walk and Run raising money and awareness for the community living with HIV and AIDS that continues to grow. Our support and our mission are unwavering to serve and enrich the lives of those living with HIV/AIDS with nurturing homes, nutritious meals, and friendly faces.

In 2023, we ranked as the 7th highest fundraising team of all participants. This is a milestone we wear with immense pride, and wouldn’t have been attainable without the support of each individual who contributed to our team’s page. Each dollar we raised comes back to us, to support the work we have been doing since our inception in 1988. Every dollar given to us is used it to ensure we Keep Love Alive for the most people in the most applicable way. Sometimes that is in the form of a birthday present on a resident’s birthday, rent for one of the residential apartments we house folks in, or other times it is bus passes to give residents the autonomy to attend their doctors’ appointments with independence. Our needs are dynamic and we constantly adapt to the needs of our residents with no plan on stopping. Housing remains our top priority and the most crucial component of our service to the community. In a growing national housing crisis, or program has withheld time and barriers and advanced numerous people to the next step of their journey with love and respect.This year at AIDS Walk San Diego, they announced the end of the established walk-based event. We are deeply saddened to see the end of this honored tradition but we know as the world continues to change, so too must events like this. We are excited to see what the San Diego LGBT Center has in store for next year and should the opportunity for us to become involved again arise, we look forward to the opportunity. In the meantime, we encourage anyone looking to support us in our mission to provide safe and quality housing to folks in our community living with HIV/AIDS, to considering establishing a reoccurring monthly donation, a one-time donation, or volunteering your time with us. As the world changes around us, so too do the needs of our residents. We stay true to our mission of providing dignified homes for people to see out their final days with care, but we also recognize that with medical advances, many of our residents need our support to access difficult systems to navigate, or a helping hand to move to complete independence. Join us in this work, and welcome home. Danni Hickey Executive Director

A message from our Board President

Who do we serve? The most vulnerable. 100% HIV/AIDS diagnosis, 100% very low-income, 70% over age 50 (youngest 29, oldest 72). 54% people of color. 83% history of homelessness. 37% chronic homelessness (more than two years). 90% history of mental health concerns. 80% history of substance use disorder. 30% former foster youth, 33% history of incarceration, 63% additional underlying health issues, 33% physical disability, 41% neurological/developmental concerns.

Trending: Approximately 30% of those we serve are in need of long term and end-of-life care, while 70% have the goal, or are currently living, in our Semi-Independent Living (SIL) apartments. SIL offers a weekly check-in, ongoing case management, a monthly apartment inspection, grocery shopping, access to NA/AA meetings, and opportunities to join the houses for holidays and outings. We anticipate 25% of our SIL residents will graduate to greater independence. For others, SIL is the perfect balance of support and autonomy/self-determination. We meet people wherever they are on their journey and provide the personalized care they need.

In the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I invite you to pause and let one resident’s story, Tony’s story, warm your heart, and refuel your pilot light too. On behalf of the residents, staff, and board, I wish you a joyful and healthy holiday season. Thank you for your generosity and caring.

Keeping Love Alive,

Patrick Anderson
Board President

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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

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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.

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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!

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(760) 736-0292
20702 Elfin Forest Road  |  Escondido, CA 92029