Nov 10, 2008 5:28 pm US/Eastern
Non-Profit That Helps Those With HIV/AIDS To Close
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Baltimore's oldest and largest non-profit organization that helps those infected with HIV/AIDS is closing its doors.
CBS
There's upsetting news for the thousands living with HIV/AIDS in Baltimore. The city's oldest and largest non-profit organization that helps those infected with the virus is closing its doors.
As
Derek Valcourt explains, many of HERO's clients are angry about the news.
After being diagnosed with HIV, many people turned to HERO for help. Since 1983, Baltimore's Health Education Resources Organization on Maryland Avenue has made it their primary focus to help people with HIV/AIDS.
HERO offers case management, housing services, drug abuse counseling and legal services, in addition to physical and mental health care. Many of their clients are or have been homeless. Now all of them are saddened and worried after HERO posted a notice in its windows that said that it was closing effective Nov. 26, the day before Thanksgiving.
"They're trying to help me get a house and now they're telling me, `OK, well we're getting ready to close.' What am I supposed to do? Where am I supposed to go?" said Kim Blackshear.
"There's a lot of homeless people on the street that this was their safe haven and everything like that. Just for it to be snatched from underneath of them, it's basically like we're sending you back out on the streets and you try to find your way again," said Dwayne Budd.
So why are they shutting down? So far, HERO hasn't said. Calls to the office were not returned.
HERO serves an average of 3,000 clients per year.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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