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This is a season of events to share with you-all of which benefit The Wright House and its clients. But we also take a moment to say thanks to recent contributors, including everyone who has already supported Team Wright House in the Hill Country Ride for AIDS (more about that below), the United Court of Austin for its "He Loves Me, He Loves me NOT" show proceeds and volunteers from Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa, who spent a morning spiffing up The House and making hundreds of condom packs for distribution by our prevention program. 
We especially thank LifeAustin Church for its very generous and unexpected gift. |
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IT'S OFFICIAL!   On February 28, 2013 Mayor Lee Leffingwell proclaimed this the Year of The Wright House Wellness Center in honor of our 25th Anniversary. Here, staff members Karen Hardeway and Vincetta Green (left) join Board President Bradley Pounds, Vice President Jacquelyn Wilson and Executive Director Leah Graham (far right) in accepting our Proclamation from the Mayor (in blue).
Thanks to all the donors, clients, staff and leaders who together have brought us to 2013. |
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You may not know this about me, but I have been working in the Austin HIV/AIDS community for almost 15 years;
first as a counseling intern with Project Transitions for 5 months and then with The Wright House Wellness Center -
in a variety of capacities. I know what I'm talking about when I say HIV is still a threat to our community. Take, for instance, this statistic:
I have a 12 year old daughter and you can be sure she knows what a condom is and how best to protect herself.
And, this one, taken from WHWC's own client database: In the last 12 months, at least 10 clients died due to
HIV-related issues. I knew so many of these clients. Folks I thought would be around a while, are no longer here.
And, how about this - 6% of my facebook friends are HIV-positive. And those are only the friends that have
disclosed their status.
You may not think you know anyone with HIV, but, I'm willing to bet you do, or you will in the future as new
infections continue. So, don't you see? HIV affects us all. It takes all of us to get educated and talk about it, it
takes all of us to care about it, it takes all of us to stop it.
HIV/AIDS Organizations who provide HIV education, prevention services and testing and/or disease
management services. I don't want to see any more of my loved ones and acquaintances die. I am tired of the
shock and sadness.
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IT'S ABOUT THE RIDE
 The Hill Country Ride for AIDS is upon us, April 27th starting at Reunion Ranch. This is a huge series of events in and around Austin that provides substantial annual support to 10 different AIDS Services organizations in the Austin area, including The Wright House Wellness Center. If you have never done it before, this is YOUR YEAR. If you have done it before, make this YOUR BIGGEST YEAR EVER, EVER, EVER! 
For those of you itching to show that you can be a fundraiser
extraordinaire for Team Wright House, this is your opportunity to shine, whether as a volunteer, a rider, a runner or just to wish us all well. Your donation or registration is just the beginning. You can go on to share your passion for our Mission to offer care and compassion to Central Texans living with or at risk of HIV and other chronic illnesses by cycling (pardon the pun) 13, 27, 53, 70 or 100 miles or by running 5K, 10K or 1/2 marathon distances and inviting friends and family to support your efforts on behalf of Team Wright House. Don't have a Ride or a Run in you? You can raise funds for a Virtual Ride, too.  |
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IT'S ALSO ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS
We have all kinds of fun people involved in the Ride this year on behalf of The Wright House, including our fantastic Board. As well, there are those who fundraise and ride for us year after year. Let us tell you about Team Captain Bryan White and his wife Stacy, who ride together for the 6th consecutive year in 2013. They have a great back story. Stacy was a Wright House intern whose work ultimately brought her together with Bryan, while he was volunteering. What a fun they have discovered to give back-together. Check out Bryan and Stacy's fundraising pages and those for our entire team. Maybe you know someone there. Maybe you should be there too!
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HAVING FUN BY DOING GOOD
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photo: Chase Martin,
The Republic |
Thanks to
Rob Faubion and
The Austin Babtist Women
For their March 31
Presentation of
GospelFest
To benefit The Wright House |
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RIDE EVENTS
Training Rides and Runs
April 20 and April 21
Opening Ceremony/Dinner
April 26
***NEW LOCATION***
Travis High School
1211 E Oltorf St., Austin, TX 78704
Map
The Ride at Reunion Ranch!
April 27
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YOU'RE INVITED!
 RAIN on 4th
Presents April Showers
To benefit
The Wright House and Project Transitions
Sunday, April 28th
4:00 p.m.
217B West 4th Street |
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BOARD SPOTLIGHT
In an effort to let you get to know us a little better, we give you Board Member Gary Lane, who devotes times and energy to the Signage Committee for the Hill Country Ride for AIDS. This is his 7th year with the Ride and his job is a big one-as anyone who has suffered bad signage anywhere can attest. He loves "[s]eeing the riders cross the finish line and cheering them on." 
You can volunteer to help with the many Ride pre-events and/or Ride preparations here-there's something for everyone! Hint: The Wright House is heading up Opening Ceremonies Dinner on April 26th and Signage on Ride day. We'd love your help.
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PHILANTHRO-FACT
 It may surprise you to learn that "[m]iddle-class Americans give a far bigger share of their discretionary income to charities than the rich," according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy (Aug. 19, 2012, America's Generosity Divide).
Regardless of where you are in the financial spectrum, we encourage and ask to you to support the work that benefits those with HIV, AIDS and Hepatitis C. Thank you!
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SAVE THE DATE AND DON'T BE LATE!
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013
STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS
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Thank You Cornell College Students!
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Our Mission
To offer care and compassion to Central Texans living with or at risk of HIV and other chronic illnesses and provide resources for support, education and empowerment through sustainable means.
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