THE STORY OF ASD IS ONE OF CHALLENGE AND TRIUMPH.

In 1985 the first small group of persons with AIDS (PWA’s) in Dallas formed around a Dallas native, Phil Gray, who had returned home from California after having been diagnosed with AIDS. Gray established a mail service center named Oak Lawn Mail and Message Service which offered employment for other PWA’s. But the pain of living with AIDS became too hard on him. He committed suicide and the project collapsed. But in that group were two remarkable men named Michael Merdian and Daryl Moore. They formed the PWA Coalition of Dallas (PWACD) dedicated to establishing projects maintained by and for PWAs.

Unfortunately, PWACD co-founders Moore and Merdian didn’t live to see their legacy of empowerment flourish through today’s ASD, where residents are encouraged to live with HIV/AIDS by participating in ASD Resident Councils and/or by serving as voting members on the Board of Trustees. Residents are expected to pay a portion of their income no matter how small for rent and are expected to work as they are able and share in community chores, decision-making and responsibilities. Moore died of complications from AIDS in August 1988 at the age of 27 and Merdian of the same in March 1993 at 36. Attorney Don Maison served as Executive Director and President since February of 1989. Former Chief Operating Officer/Vice-President Traswell Livingston III was named as new Executive Director and President and August of 2019 following the resignation of Mr. Maison in November 2018.

ASD has continued its mission to provide housing services without regard for race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or age to all applicants who are infected with HIV/AIDS and their family members. With an annual operating budget of more than $5.3 million, ASD operates its four apartment complexes, which are licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services to serve 225 men, women and children in 152 bedrooms within 125 privately configured apartments.

2nd Annual Blues & BBQ

The Second Annual Blues & BBQ is back with more music, more BBQ, more community, and more ways to support the residents of ASD – A Home for Life.