6 years ago I started a journey that forever changed my life. I had been living with HIV for four years at the time, and was filled with shame and embarrassed to tell others about it. I was quieter, more reserved, and had difficulty meeting new people and opening up to others. My friend Kurt Beadell told me about this opportunity to work for an organization that helped people living with HIV/AIDS - Our House. At the time I had a lot of experience working in the for-profit sector, but none in the non-profit. After more than 4 interviews, including one that had six people in the room and the Executive Directors dog Moto present, I was hired as the Event Manager. As time has gone on I have become more confident with who I am, and not afraid to talk about my HIV status. Through Our House and the amazing staff, volunteers, residents, and donors that we have, I have found my voice and have become the person that I am today. HIV is a part of me - its not who I am. I have had the opportunity and the honor to meet so many amazing people, hear so many heart-touching stories, see and do things that otherwise I might not be able to, create memories that could fill volumes of books for years to come, to touch others as they have touched me and know that what I do matters, and to be the man that my husband Eric can be proud of. I have had the opportunity, and support, to grow and develop my skills from being the Event Manager, to Development Manger, to Associate Director of Development that I am today. Thank you Wayne Miya and Sally Dadmun Bixby for taking a chance on me and seeing something in me that matched the Core Values and Vision Statement that we have here at Our House. Thank you John Oules, Nancy Sellers, Kathryn A. Siebert, Nathan Buck, Wayne, Sally and Moto for offering me the opportunity to come in for the interview that helped me to realize that just because your HIV+ doesnt mean that you are any less of a person. Thank you Andrew Tweedie for being such an amazing boss and for all that you have taught me since you started here - it has been an honor to work and learn from you. Thank you to all of the staff and volunteers who work at Our House for the passion, hard work, and dedication that you show - I wouldnt want to be anywhere else.
Posted on: Tue, 06 May 2014 14:17:49 +0000
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