Doe Fund Provides “A Better Place” For Individuals Living With HIV

More than 30 years ago—at the start of the HIV epidemic—George T. McDonald spent 700 nights in Grand Central Terminal providing food and clothing to the growing homeless population. While this proved to be an appreciated gesture, this only addressed a small portion of the many obstacles they faced. George founded The Doe Fund in the winter of 1985, after seeing an older person die of pneumonia upon being evicted from the Terminal. He founded the organization in her memory to tackle the root causes of homelessness: lack of opportunity, skills, and support. The Doe Fund has since grown to also provide life-transforming services and housing for formerly incarcerated men, low-income populations, and people living with HIV/AIDS.

One of many programs The Doe Fund has implemented to break the cycle of incarceration, homelessness, and poverty is their permanent supportive residence—A Better Place (ABP). ABP ensures people living with HIV/AIDS have a high quality of life by providing a safe, healthy, and welcoming living community. Residents receive care in four main areas: Case Management, Primary and Mental Health Care, Nutrition and Recreation. The Doe Fund serves New York City residents diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and has an active HASA case.

“Access to safe, stable housing is critical to keeping vulnerable populations from becoming homeless. Funds from DIFFA support our A Better Place housing facility, which provides a range of vital, supportive services to individuals living with HIV/AIDS,” said founder and president, George McDonald.

Located on the upper east side of Manhattan, the building offers a 28-bed facility since 1996.

The Doe Fund plans to continue to expand its network of affordable and supporting housing in order to provide even more individuals with the resources they need to live with dignity and independence.

To learn more about DIFFA Grantee, The Doe Fund, visit www.doe.org.