Iris House has worked with many women, men and their families who have inspired us with their determination and achievement of goals against difficult odds. Read more about these amazing women and what they have accomplished at Iris House.

FIGHTING FOR HERSELF AND OTHERS

 

Her case manager describes her as a “firecracker” and anyone who has met Vilma Santiago would have to agree with that description.

Vilma was diagnosed in 1984. Like many people diagnosed at that time, she thought it was a death sentence which lead her to an unsuccessful overdose after having been clean for years. However she survived and took it as a sign that she had to live for her children and her grandchildren. Vilma took her outspoken personality and determination to get the help she needed. In the process she created a path for others. She educated herself about AIDS to be sure she was getting the care she needed. Being someone who was diagnosed so early in the epidemic, she had to stand up for herself and that wasn’t hard for her.

Vilma, who has such a big heart, is always willing to lend a hand to those coming into Iris House for help, comforting those experiencing difficulty and sharing a laugh. She demands attention and holds those around her accountable at Iris House and in the community. Vilma joined Iris House in 1992 and is an active member on several boards, serves on many client advisory boards and is a trained peer educator.

For her years of hard work for people living with AIDS, Vilma was recognized this past December by the New York State Department of Health with the Distinguished Service Award for exceptional accomplishments in HIV/AIDS services. Iris House celebrates Vilma and women who are trailblazers in fighting for the rights of women living with AIDS. As Vilma says ‘these women are living with AIDS, not dying from AIDS.’

Ms. Davis is a fifty-six year old African American woman who has demonstrated that with the right support you can overcome any challenge. For fifteen years, she was a staff member of the Dept of Mental Health and Retardation. Sadly, Ms. Davis suffered from low self-esteem and turned to drugs in order to become part of a group of people she considered friends. After learning that she was HIV+, Ms. Davis knew she needed help. Unsure of whom or where to turn to, she continued to use drugs as an escape. In 1996, Ms. Davis sought housing and was referred to Iris House.

She has since been a part of the Housing Program, completed the SISTA program designed to help women adopt safe sex practices and improve self-esteem, and participated in the Financial Life Skills class and a variety of other programs, workshops and seminars for Women. Ms. Davis represented Iris House at the Women as the Face of AIDS Summit in May and commented ‘You have helped me achieve my goal of overcoming my fear of public speaking.’

For many years, Ms. Davis fought to return to the workforce, but was hindered by declining health issues. Feeling better recently, Ms. Davis overheard that Iris House was offering clients a chance to learn a healthy way of eating, living and an opportunity to complete an internship. Recognizing this opportunity as a chance to contribute to society in a productive manner, she asked for assistance in filling out the application for a kitchen assistant position.
Ms. Davis acquired the position and recently expressed to her case manager that she believes she has been given a new lease on life. She feels that Iris House is a family to her and she is here every day, on time and in the kitchen. When Ms. Davis finishes the three month internship as a kitchen assistant, she would like to receive more training about HIV/AIDS in hopes of becoming a Peer Educator for Women over Fifty.

Ms. Davis is a warm, loving and giving person whom we are blessed to know and support in her pursuit of living a fulfilling life despite her HIV status.

Brenda is a 4 year client of Iris House.  She is an active member of our COBRA & Nutrition programs.  Brenda, a recovered substance abuser, accesses many of the supportive services Iris House offers including the Substance Abuse Group, Sister to Sister and Women over 50 Support Groups.  She states that "Iris House is a home away from home were I can get the support I need."  After completing the agency's Peer Educator training she spent 2 years conducting outreach, handing out condoms & speaking about HIV transmission.  She was asked by Judge Hatchett, the famous TV judge, to speak to a juvenile whose life was out of control about the dangers of her behavior.  Brenda was able to relate her own experience in losing a daughter to a brutal murder to help the young girl turn her life around.  Now Brenda carries the light of hope for mothers who have lost children or those diagnosed with HIV to understand and share their situations to help others.  She indicates "I am ever grateful to Iris House for helping me lift the guilt and live again."