According to Legacy Cares Director of Development Jennifer Firmin,
“Imagine you are sitting in a doctor’s office, and you just received a diagnosis that will change your life forever. A diagnosis that is so stigmatized by society that you would regret it if other people found out. And then you begin to spiral, thinking about what treatment is going to cost and who will be in your corner to help you through. This is one of the stories we have heard again and again at Legacy Cares over the last 35 years.
“Legacy Cares’ mission, to put it simply, has been to provide life-saving services and vital support to individuals living with HIV/AIDS. The organization was originally founded in 1989 as Legacy Counseling Center by a group of therapists who were passionate about improving life for people living and suffering from HIV/AIDS. The organization has consistently supported thousands of North Texans annually for 35 consecutive years. Legacy Cares has grown since its inception and now includes not only mental health services to those with HIV but also a year-round women-specific program producing the largest conference for women with HIV, a special-care housing facility providing respite and end-of-life care for the critically ill, a housing referral service (www.homebaseforhousing.org), and a supportive housing homeless transition program. Legacy is the primary provider of HIV-informed care in North Texas and offers a comprehensive treatment approach by providing counseling, education, and support to this vulnerable and high-need population.
“You may ask: ‘Aren’t there treatment options for HIV now that prevent transmission?’ Or ‘Isn’t HIV no longer a death sentence?’ Medical innovation has come a long way since the start of the AIDS epidemic, but it also still affects people who have barriers to testing/treatment. Also, medication only works if people have access to it and are motivated to take it. Housing is also a key component of HIV healthcare because if someone doesn’t have housing, they can’t adhere to treatment. In response to the barriers that remain in HIV treatment to this day, Legacy aims to decrease the community impact through the following goals:
- “Providing access to expert-level, affordable care to those in need.
- “Fostering hope by promoting healthy, life-affirming behavioral choices.
- “Empowering people living with HIV/AIDS by providing support, housing stability and resources and education.
- “Reducing the cost of HIV/AIDS to society through effective and efficient services that reduce hospitalizations and increase individual adherence to medication and medical care.
- “Decreasing the spread of HIV/AIDS by teaching clients how they can obtain undetectable viral loads and/or how to disclose their status.
“North Texas Giving Day donations have helped Legacy over the years to continue to protect, promote, and preserve the health of our diverse populations of HIV-positive clients, regardless of who they are or where they live, and improve the lives of those adversely affected by HIV from the moment of their diagnosis to their final breath. We hope that this North Texas Giving Day, new people will be introduced to Legacy Cares and inspired to give to this great cause!”
* Photo credit: Postolos ** Graphic/photo provided by Legacy Cares ** Photo credit: Ryan Tomlinson
In 15 years, Communities Foundation of Texas’ North Texas Giving Day has pumped more than $566 million into the North Texas community. In 2023, more than $63.9 million was raised through 97,000 donors benefiting 3,249 area nonprofits.
On Thursday, September 19, support Legacy Cares by clicking here and spreading the word. #NorthTexasGivingDay2024