At the beginning of the 1990s AIDS was still a dirty word in the United States. HIV/AIDS educators were only found in schools and churches; AIDS information was available but only to those willing to listen or read; Few hospitals would accept PWA’s as patients, in many cases hospital care was poor to despicable. Independent, secure housing for People With AIDS (PWAs) was non-existent.

It was at this time that THURSDAY’S CHILD was founded by People With AIDS and members of the AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power - Long Island (ACTUP-L.I.) Originally an educational agency, THURSDAY’S CHILD changed focus when a good friend died of AIDS and left his four bedroom colonial house to be used specifically as a safe house where PWAs could peacefully spend their remaining years. So it was that “Beech House” opened in 1992 for families and individuals living with the HIV/AIDS virus.

In the years since, THURSDAY’S CHILD has greatly increased its independent housing assistance with the help of a federally funded Ryan White Title I grant. We now have two employees and assist over 1000 clients annually with rental housing, food vouchers, home care packages and clothing.   While scattered site housing is essential to fulfill the massive need, permanent, supportive housing provides a quality of life unequaled by rental housing. TC also received a second Ryan White Title I grant for a Housing Referral person. We currently employ a Housing Assistance agent under Ryan White, so this will enable these two people to work together in a one-stop shopping for homeless clients.

BEECH HOUSE