Excerpt from Executive Director's letter in 2024 Annual Report:
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring—all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
— Leo Buscaglia
This quote captures the heart of what we strive for every day at the Albany Damien Center. In our drop-in living room, a smile, a meal, a kind word—or simply listening—can be the spark that begins to turn someone’s life around. For those facing HIV, homelessness, and mental illness, we offer more than services—we offer dignity, hope, and a home filled with love.
In 2024, I am proud of how far we’ve come, and grateful to every staff member, volunteer, supporter, and participant who makes our mission possible. Together, we are building a stronger, more equitable community—one act of care at a time.
Excerpt from Executive Director's letter in 2023 Annual Report:
Coretta Scott King once said, “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”
Indeed, in 2023, I had the privilege of witnessing our community's collective effort, which rallied to help the people we serve at the Damien Center. This unified support is the very essence of our shared successes in assisting those in our community impacted by HIV, homelessness, and mental health.to edit.
Excerpt from Executive Director's letter in 2022 Annual Report:
In 2022, the Albany Damien Center expanded its support for individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges, recognizing the deep impact of COVID-related isolation.
Our Living Room drop-in center remained a vital, trauma-informed sanctuary where community, connection, and healing flourish.
As in 1988, we continued to be a beacon of love and support during uncertain times—thanks to the unwavering dedication of our board, staff, volunteers, donors, and partners. Your support drives our mission and helps us build a healthier, more equitable community for all.
Excerpt from Executive Director's 2021 Annual Report.
In 2021, the Albany Damien Center demonstrated strong resiliency, continuing to support our community despite the ongoing challenges of the COVID pandemic.
Much like the early days of the AIDS epidemic, fear, isolation, and anxiety were common among those we served.
Through it all, the Damien Center remained a vital source of care, community, and love, thanks to the dedication of our board, staff, volunteers, donors, and partners.
Our work toward health equity and support for those affected by HIV, poverty, and trauma remains ongoing — and your support makes that possible.
Excerpt from Executive Director's letter in 2019 Annual Report.
Adapting to change is essential to our mission. In 2019, we launched the Employment Pathways Program to support people with HIV and AIDS in returning to work or school.
We refocused our MPower! program to better serve the health and human service needs of the LGBT-TGNB community, including employment support for TGNB individuals.
We also welcomed the Capital Region NAMES Project Chapter and concluded the 20-year operation of the Treasure Chest Thrift Store.
These shifts strengthened our core programs, including Housing, PAWS, Smart Meals, and the Living Room drop-in center.
Excerpt from Executive Director's letter in 2018 Annual Report
2018 was our first full year in our new building where we witnessed the resiliency of a charitable organization that realized its dream of expanding services. Our new building, and thus our first year, exceeded our expectations thanks to our community’s fierce support!
As we see our new building in use, we are so grateful to everyone who made this possible. People who did not sit idly by, but rose up to fight for each one of us who were battling the fight of our lives with AIDS. Our staff, board members, volunteers and the people we serve continue to give their all to help as we have adapted here to be creative, innovative, and fight for each person who needs us.
Excerpt from Executive Director's letter in 2017 Annual Report.
Phoenix Rising - 2017 for me was the realization of an ambitious vision set forth from the depths of despair.
The day after a fire in August 2013 destroyed our Damien Center home, we were faced with what felt like an insurmountable task of how to move forward. Stopping was not an option as we saw the needs of our local HIV community struggling with poverty, stigma, trauma, and other issues that continued to grow, despite all the medical advances in decreasing deaths from AIDS. Our journey from the fire to our new building in many ways reminds me of our community’s journey from the despair of the early days of AIDS to where we are today: full of hope now, but with the reality that there is much work to be done to End the Epidemic.