Project Transitions us into the New Year! + Update

Project Transitions (7101 Woodrow Avenue, Austin, TX) has an apartment community that is graciously hosting our final performance of ‘09, TUESDAY, Dec. 21st. For more details on this wonderful non-profit organization, scroll down to, “A Brief History“.

These folks are having a holiday party Tues. night and thought that the music of Illuminate would add the finishing touch. I’m so glad we could be available; we are honored to be able to bring some live, soulful music & hope-filled lyrics to those in attendance at Project Transitions’ celebration. Thanks, Beth Thomas & Kim Hernandez…I Can’t Wait!!

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* UPDATE! (as of: 1/2/2010) Just wanted to note, that this last show of the year went great, even though it was just three of us – Rene, Lee & myself. Roosevelt Gardens, created in 1995 as a supportive housing program for individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. The cost of this program was largely supported by the proceeds from the thrift store, Top Drawer which was opened in 1993 and remains fully operational to this day.

The gracious Kim Hernandez welcomed us, and most of the residents were probably with family, as it was just a few days before Christmas. But there were several little ones listening as they decorated cookies, and 3 or 4 “kids at heart”, in attendance – one of which was John.

John is a middle-aged man, a Believer who was diagnosed with Cancer in 2001. He was sweet to volunteer to be our camera-man, as we were attempting to get this last performance on home video. His smiles and comments, cheers and claps, along with the amazing testimony he shared with me afterward, made this show more than worth it.  He was originally given a grim diagnosis back in ‘01, but told me that God gave him the courage to fight for a second opinion and provided a new aggressive & caring Dr. that treated him a different way & gave him hope again.

Now he walks with the help of a cane, & otherwise seems as healthy & upbeat as a college boy! John told me that our song about modern-day miracles spoke to his heart & gave him a reminder of hope…to keep believing that God can do miracles in your life…keep looking & praying for them to happen.

Sometimes you intend on doing some “great deed” for many people, but in the end, discover your purpose in doing what you were called to do, for just one. It was humbling and special to be able to share Christmas through song, with these courageous, friendly people.

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A Brief History…about Project Transition

Our agency was conceived in 1986 by Barbara Davis because of her work with the issues of death and dying in persons with AIDS. She established one of the first support groups for people living with AIDS in the city. She saw the need for a residential hospice facility where such people could die with dignity and spend their final weeks in a compassionate and caring environment. She brought together a group of interested people, incorporated in 1988 and opened Doug’s House in July of 1989. The hospice was named for Doug Key who was one of the early organizers. Doug died in 1991. By that time, we were experiencing long waiting lists for the services at Doug’s house, and even today nearly twenty years later, the occupancy rate continues to run over 90%.

It also became evident that there were other unmet needs within the community…primarily housing! There were many individuals in need of affordable housing in a safe and secure environment. As a result of this need, we began Roosevelt Gardens in 1995, which is a supportive housing program for individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. The cost of this program was largely supported by the proceeds from our thrift store, Top Drawer which was opened in 1993 and remains fully operational to this day. Roosevelt Gardens has evolved into a transitional housing program offering a path to independent living for its residents.

In 1998 we opened our independent living facility called Highland Terrace which offers affordable housing to residents living with HIV/AIDS, and in 2002 we started our Community Housing program offering scattered site housing around the city.

No one is denied participation in ANY of our programs because of inability to pay. We are very, very proud of what we have been able to accomplish with the full support of a caring community.

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