December 18, 2018
Dear Friend of ACRA,
The end of 2018 is approaching and all of us here at ACRA are looking back on this year with gratitude. We are thankful because the work of our staff and volunteers is making a positive impact on our community. This year we provided housing with food support for 22 families at Fitts-Powell, 5 individuals at Blevins, and given emergency shelter to 8 individuals through the Ryan White program. Both of our residential facilities are well-cared for and in fine working order, a fact that is reflected in our excellent 2018 REAC scores from HUD. We are proud to say these well-kept facilities allow our residents to focus on their health, pursue employment, educational opportunities and take advantage of the cultural activities that the Triangle area offers.
We are most grateful for all of our generous supporters who’ve given their money, time, talent and acts of kindness to make all of this possible. Thanks to the AIDS Care teams from St Mark AME Zion Church and First Calvary Baptist Church for their continued financial support of our mission and consistently meeting some of the basic needs of the residents. We are so appreciative for the Thomas Pie Agency that partnered with us this year financially and by volunteering time to physically improve our curb appeal. The Women Who Care literally embodied their name by installing a much-needed pet waste station with timbers, mulch, and dog treats for our 4 furry friends. They also provided an abundance of toiletries and cleaning products for both facilities. The White Rock Baptist Church has monthly supported our food pantry with an abundance of fresh produce and personal care items. We are grateful for the genuine compassion and hands on acts of kindness shown throughout the year. These are a few examples of the generosity of our community partners, which encourages us to sustain our existing programs and develop new ones that address crisis and the need for a permanent solution, as well.
In addition to raising funds to provide affordable housing, a major goal of ACRA is to increase awareness about the connection between housing and health for individuals with HIV and disabilities. This year ACRA staff and volunteers attended a number of community events including St. Mark’s Fellowship with Friends, Pride Durham 2018, and the non-profit fair at Southpoint Mall. Events like these give us an opportunity to tell our story, to advocate for affordable housing, and to build networks of individuals and organizations that support this work. When we meet with individuals in the community, we hear time and again how desperately our housing units are needed. According to the 2018 Point in Time count, Durham has 291 homeless individuals from all age groups and ethnicities. And they all need our help.
How can I help, you ask?
- You can advocate for affordable housing solutions in your community.
- You can volunteer your time and talent at Fitts-Powell or Blevins Too. Volunteer Interest Form
- You can make an in-kind donation of linens, small kitchen appliances, toiletries, or dinner.
- Amazon Smile will donate to us when you shop smile.amazon.com.
- And you can support us with a one-time gift today just in time for the 2018 tax season.
Supporting ACRA and its mission to provide affordable housing to individuals with HIV and disabilities is easy. Visit our website www.acradurham.org to make a secure donation.
On behalf of the ACRA Board of Directors and our staff, we wish you a joyous holiday season and a healthy New Year!
Brenda Ruffin
Brenda Ruffin
Housing Director
Todd Durham
Todd Durham
ACRA Board President
“30 years of Commitment, Compassion and Caring”
We Invite You to Celebrate a Durham Success Story
30th Anniversary Gala
Dinner Theater & Silent Auction
January 27, 2018 at 6 pm
William & Ida Friday Center
100 Friday Center Drive
Chapel Hill, NC
Sponsored by:
And Sponsored by:
- Bull City Dental
- IYI Creative Services
- Thomas Pie Agency of Allstate
- Pledger Consulting Group
- Mary D. Williams
- Triangle Performance Ensemble/One Voice
The First Calvary Baptist Church's AIDS Care Team lead the effort to collect necessary household items for ACRA's residents. We are so grateful for your care and compassion during these uncertain times.
- ACRA Board, Staff, and Residents.
Thank you to an Allstate volunteer for being a positive force for change in our community. Thomas Pieniazkiewicz gave his time and enabled us to receive an Allstate Foundation Helping Hands Grant. The Allstate Foundation supports the causes that Allstate agency owners, financial specialists and employees care about most by providing Helping Hands Grants to nonprofits where they volunteer their time to bring out the good in their communities.
ACRA is grateful to have been chosen by the Women Who Care (WWC) as recipients of their acts of kindness this summer. The Women Who Care took time from their busy schedules to collect an array of household items and toiletries for the residents of ACRA. Recently, WWC solicited help from their friends and associations to install an accessible pet station at Fitts-Powell Apartments. They provided the station with bags, timbers, mulch, and labor to bring it all together. We celebrated the Grand Opening in mid-July with the residents, their pets, along with some of Women Who Care and their pets. It was a beautiful day and a festive event!
The White Rock Baptist Church Global Missions Team visited Fitts-Powell. They inspired us with music, encouraged us with a message of healing, and demonstrated that exercise is easy for all. Thank you Global Missions Team for reaching out to us.
On behalf of ACRA’s Board, staff and clients, we are profoundly grateful to all who supported our 30th Anniversary Dinner Theater and Silent Auction. We accomplished our goals of reconnecting with old friends and making some new friends. The entire program succeeded at raising awareness of the stigma and disparities that continue to impact persons living HIV+ and the disabled.
Again we are appreciative to our sponsors, donors, volunteers and business professionals that made our 2018 event a success.
Until there is a cure and affordable housing for all.....
Gala Dinner Sponsors Gala Dinner Theater Entertainment