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Eric Johnson, the son of Bill and Ann Johnson of Morristown NJ, contracted AIDS and died of the disease in 1990. Eric had the full support of his family – something that is not a reality for many persons with HIV/AIDS. Thus, The Eric Johnson House was designed for those people in need of housing and supportive services who are homeless as a result of their HIV/AIDS status. The House is neither a hospice nor a medical facility but rather a housing program which provides the security and dignity necessary to enable residents to become empowered and thus able to make realistic decisions about their future.
Established in 1992, The Eric Johnson House provides services to its residents such as employment assistance, substance abuse treatment, buddy/companion services, mental health counseling, transportation, permanent housing location, money management, referral services, and access to medical care. Once individuals successfully graduate to their own permanent housing, they become participants of an After-Care Program for six months.
There are many volunteer opportunities at The House including preparing meals for residents, office support, yard work, cleaning and painting projects and transportation. Contact them at 973-326-9636 or house1.ejh@verizon.net.
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In June of 1987, a small group of strangers gathered in a San Francisco storefront to document the lives they feared history would neglect. Their goal was to create a memorial for those who died from AIDS, and to thereby help people understand the devastating impact of the disease. This meeting of family and friends served as the foundation for the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. Today the Quilt is a poignant memorial, a powerful tool for prevention education and the largest ongoing community arts project in the world.
In 1987, the NAMES Project displayed the Quilt for the first time in Washington, DC. It covered a space larger than a football field and included 1,920 panels. As of October 2001, the Quilt would cover an area equal to over 26 football fields if displayed all at once. The over 44,000 panels represent over 84,000 names – only 19% of those lost to AIDS in the U.S. There are 35 NAMES Project Chapters in the United States, including the Central New Jersey chapter. Panels are needed for many who have died. If you wish to help by making a panel, contact Maria at 732-249-3933 or info@aidsquilt-nj.org.
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The AIDS Resource Foundation for Children, Inc. (ARFC) is a non-profit, community based agency that provides a variety of services to children and families who are affected by, and/or infected with HIV/AIDS. Headquartered in Newark NJ, the ARFC has pioneered efforts to address the ever-changing needs of those dealing with the harsh reality of this epidemic.
The three St. Clare’s Homes for Children offer transitional care for babies and children who have AIDS or who are medically fragile. St. Clare’s Outreach provides additional services including: drug rehabilitation services, mental health and bereavement counseling, foster parent training, clothing and baby goods distribution, respite care, community education/prevention services, speakers bureau, emergency food and transportation services, and summer and winter camp sessions. Those who wish to volunteer to help with some of these services are encouraged to contact the ARFC at 973-483-4250 or info@aidsresource.org.
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Terrence & Faye Zealand, ARFC, Executive Directors |
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