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St. Philip Neri, the patron saint of Rome who lived in the 1500s, worked in the streets with people regarded as “the disenfranchised,” the poor and the outcast, said Rich Baraglia, executive director of St. Philip House in Plainville. It seemed an appropriate name, he said, because the program, which was established in 1990, was created to provide services and housing to some of society’s overlooked people, those with HIV/AIDS. “They’re outcasts,” he said.
The mission of St. Philip House is to provide people with HIV/AIDS accessible, safe and affordable housing, increase community awareness and offer support services to individuals and their loved ones. There are also several residences in other towns.
HIV, human immunodeficiency virus, interferes with the body’s natural ability to fight off viruses, making people more susceptible to infections and certain types of cancers. HIV refers to the virus and the infection; in later stages, it is known as AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, a life-threatening disease.
Ana, 34, was diagnosed six months ago. Born in the Bronx, she was raised by her grandfather in Bridgeport. Her journey to St. Philip House was long, including incarceration and substance abuse problems. Fast-forward to today and she is employed, attends Tunxis Community College, goes to substance abuse counseling and hopes to work someday with people like herself. Her apartment at the congregant residence is neat and tidy; she said she has obsessive-compulsive disorder. “I’m taking one day at a time,” she said.
Opened in 1994, St. Philip House, located at 80 Broad St., provides one-bedroom apartments for people with HIV/AIDS who meet certain criteria. Individuals are accepted without discrimination based on race, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation or handicap. Applicants must have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, must commit themselves to being substance- and alcohol-free, must have been clean and sober for six months. They must be nearly homeless, live cooperatively with others and work with a case manager. All undergo random testing. They are charged a monthly fee based on their income.
Ana said that HIV/AIDS does not discriminate. “This can attack lawyers and doctors. It makes our lives a living hell,” she said.
The program promotes a compassionate and respectful environment for all clients and their loved ones, with dignity and privacy protected. Ana said that she likes living at the residence because of the structure the program offers. “It helps you. You have to be honest. The case managers are friends and they do what they can to help you,” she said.
Devin, 52, lives off-site in an apartment subsidized by St. Philip House. For the past 20 years, he has cared for a man who was injured by a drunken driver. He is afraid to think of the future, of what will happen when his friend dies. His income will be cut and he does not have a trade or outside job.
Devin, which is not his real name, was diagnosed two years ago. “I’ve disclosed to people near and dear to me and they’ve walked out of my life. It’s debilitating. I can’t handle any more hurt,” he said, explaining why he chose to remain anonymous.
His life has been very difficult, Devin said. “When I was finally diagnosed, I couldn’t believe there’s another cross to bear. I was at my wit’s end. After walking through the doors here, I found out that I could get help with living accommodations. I’ve gotten back some normalcy in my life,” he said. “St. Philip House is very comfortable for me. Without this program I don’t know what would happen to me. It’s a big help.
“Now I am comfortable with having HIV but I wasn’t at the beginning. There’s so much more information. If I had to have this, it’s a good time to have it; 15 years ago people weren’t surviving,” he said. However, he and Ana agreed there are challenges and side effects to taking the multiple medications.
In addition to the residential facilities, the St. Philip House program also guides people to resources, whether its food, transportation or medical care. There are social events, field trips and picnics. In February, state Sen. Christopher Murphy, who is co-chairman of the Public Health Committee, came to St. Philip House to meet residents and others to discuss and answer questions about the Medicare Part D program.
A support group is offered on the third Friday of each month, from 5 to 6 p.m. Ken Flyte, a case manager from AIDS Project Hartford, leads the meeting. Some of the programs focused on needle exchange, HIV medications, hepatitis and other issues. “Support groups are important to clients. It gives them information about HIV/AIDS, who they can talk to, listen to other people talk or tell what they have been through,” he said. Sometimes people feel alone, hurt and emotional. “They realize they are not alone,” Flyte said.
People with HIV/AIDS and their partners or significant others are welcome. “Everything is confidential. Whatever is said there, stays there,” Flyte said. People interested in attending the support group should call Flyte at (860) 951-4833 for more information.
The St. Philip House program is funded by the state of Connecticut Department of Social Services and the Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing for Older Persons Act, as well as donations and grants. There are numerous ways to help, Baraglia said, and many different types of donations are needed, including computers, cars, household items, services and volunteers or instructors for programs and entertainment.
Devin drives a car that was donated and it has vastly improved his life, he said. “I used to walk everywhere; I’d walk 50 to 60 miles a week.” Now he can get to his medical appointments and run errands, he said.
Baraglia, 55, said the program gets six to 10 housing requests each month. “Many people don’t meet the criteria. You have to be able to care for yourself. We’re not a nursing home; we’re congregant living,” he said. Baraglia estimates that 110 people have been helped by the program since it began. A Spanish teacher for 14 years, he said he had several friends who died from AIDS complications. He and a friend, Brother Anthony Fasolo of the Order of St. Philip in Philadelphia, attended a breakfast hosted by the Farmington Valley AIDS Task Force. Jodi Miser, the facilitator, asked the group what they were going to do about this problem. It spurred Braglia and Fasolo to develop St. Philip House and the first housing units were opened in 1990.
Baraglia, who lives in Bristol, said that he tries not to get emotionally involved. “When people die, it’s very difficult,” he said. But he knows for many the program is vital. “Some people wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for us. We give them their self-respect, dignity and a feeling of self-worth.”
Residents of the St. Philip House occasionally present programs for groups, especially teenagers. Earlier this year two groups of students came from Plainville High School. Barglia estimates that there have been “HIV/AIDS 101” presentations for 12,000 kids and adults.
“Sometimes you get angry at uneducated people; they think it’s a joke,” said Ana. “Young kids are sleeping around. It doesn’t matter (to them.) They are doing drugs; they don’t have a clue. They should be so grateful that they’re not sick. When we get sick, we really get sick; there’s no immune system to fight back.”
To support the program, fundraisers are held throughout the year. The next event is the Mad Hatter Auction on Saturday, April 2, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Farmington Club. A benefit golf tournament is planned for Aug. 2 at the Tunxis Plantation Country Club in Farmington. All proceeds go back into the program.
Right now Ana and Devin are focusing on one day at a time. “Life is a process; it doesn’t come all at once,” said Ana. “I’ve learned but I’m working on it.”
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