Ohio: David's House Is Closing Its Doors

David's House Compassion, a nonprofit organization that has provided AIDS case management services in the Toledo area since 1989, is closing April 1 due dwindling funding resources. Eight staff workers will be laid off initially, with five others let go by the end of April. Its headquarters at Detroit and Nebraska avenues will be sold to pay off debt.

David's House had relied on funding through grants and private donations, but in the past few years donations lagged and client demand began exceeding resources. The organization stopped providing inpatient care last year, but it continued other services including assistance with medications, food, home visits and rent. The group's $847,000 annual budget was projected to end about $200,000 in the red in the fiscal year ending June 30.

"Our private money donations simply dried up, and to continue operations would mean digging a deeper and deeper hole," said David Arnold, David's House president. "Our case load has risen every month and every year for the past five years. But most people think the AIDS epidemic is over," said Arnold.

David's House serves about 500 HIV/AIDS patients and 900 affected family members. Arnold said the agency's officials hope another area organization will continue its programming, but for now its clients are being told to contact their case workers for more details. Monday marked the 15th anniversary of David's House.

Back to other news for March 17, 2004