Caracole facilitates stable housing so focus remains on health

When Linda Seiter, executive director of Caracole first became involved with the organization in the late 1980s, she says she was drawn to it because she was concerned and appalled at the opposition it received.
 
“I was starting to see friends die from HIV,” Seiter says. “Then I learned about this new organization that was trying to get housing for HIV/AIDS off the ground; and at the time there was tons of opposition—it was a really hard time—trying to open a house to take care of people as they died, so I got involved.”
 
Caracole’s mission has evolved over the years, but for its 1,400 clients, services are still much needed.
 
The nonprofit, located in Northside, provides about 120 units of permanent housing, 22 beds for transitional housing, case management and, as of last month, pharmacy services.
 
“There is still so much stigma related to HIV, and it continues to surprise me how alone our clients feel,” Seiter says.
 
According to Seiter, children of the women the nonprofit serves don’t even know their mothers are HIV-positive—let alone the rest of their family members.
 
“So we provide a safe place for people to talk about their issues related to HIV, and then, for housing—two-thirds of our clients make less than $15,000 dollars each year,” Seiter says. “And without stable housing, how could anyone be healthy, let alone with a chronic disease? And that’s where we come in—helping someone who’s homeless or not permanently housed find a permanent housing situation so they can focus on their health.” 

Do Good:

•    If you or someone you know is HIV-positive, seek support here. 

•    Support Caracole by volunteering or getting involved by attending an upcoming event. 

•    Support Caracole financially or through in-kind donations.

By Brittany York

Brittany York is a professor of English composition at the University of Cincinnati and a project manager for Charitable Words. She also edits the For Good section of SoapboxMedia.