Fighting For Women With HIV/AIDS Before it was Cool!

Although Cheryl does not live with HIV – her family was impacted and her world changed in 1993 when Ronald D. Lewis (aspiring actor and model in NY), her only sibling and closest confidant was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. As Ron lay sick on his bed, he made Cheryl make a promise to one day assist people with HIV/AIDS…a promise she “vowed” to keep.

In 2000, after 20 years in telecom management, Cheryl was laid off and immediately went into action to open A Sister’s Gift Women’s Center. During her research, Cheryl noticed a rise in female diagnosis and a lack of female gender - centered services. After research, Cheryl determined women were an \"under served\" group and launched A Sister’s Gift in 2003.

A Sister’s Gift (ASG) is a “center” of crisis and support services which consist of counseling, peer – focused support and advocacy projects which empower women to “not” live in fear of stigma. ASG encourages and coaches clients to live in acceptance and “wellness” to become role model - head of households, mothers and grandmothers in their communities. Early on, Cheryl was told by Ryan White local officials “if you service men you can get RW funding.” Cheryl and her Board of Directors decided to take a “bold” stand for women and not “sell out.”

In operation for 14 years, ASG depends heavily on the grant support of private foundations such as Dallas Women’s Foundation, Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, UMCOR, and the Junior League to name a few.

ASG operates out of a discreet Intake Office in East Dallas with a team of over 50 Outreach volunteers ready to assist and support with crisis and outreach and serves an average of 150 women/girls each year. What a Gift? To women and the female community!

1ST HIV AGENCY IN DALLAS AND TEXAS FOR WOMEN

www.asistersgift.org

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