San Diego Human Dignity Foundation

Honors Extraordinary Contributions

Awardees to be recognized at Foundation Night

San Diego, CA – May 10, 2011. On June 11, 2011, the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation (SDHDF) will honor the extraordinary contributions of Liz Brosnan, Executive Director of Christie’s Place and philanthropists Bill Kelly and Bob Taylor to the local community. The Founder’s Award and the Aging with Dignity Award (given respectively), will be presented at the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation’s 15th anniversary celebration, Foundation Night, to be held at Anthology.

Founder’s Award: Liz Brosnan, Executive Director of Christie’s Place

Established in honor of the SDHDF’s 15^th Anniversary, the Founder’s Award recognizes an individual or couple who has made significant and lasting contributions to our community.

Liz Brosnan has dedicated her life to upholding the basic human rights and human dignity of those unable to fight for themselves. As the Executive Director for Christie’s Place, a leading nonprofit organization that provides education, social services, and advocacy to women, children and family impacted by HIV/AIDS, Ms. Brosnan has developed the then small grassroots organization into a nationally recognized, comprehensive social service agency. She serves as the Vice-Chair of the National Women and AIDS Collective as well as serves on the San Diego HIV Health Services Planning Council and several subcommittees. Her thoughtful approach to change validates the experiences of individuals and communities whilst fighting for a brighter future.

Most recently, Ms. Brosnan secured a highly competitive Social Innovation Fund grant which will allow hundreds of out of care women living with HIV/AIDS in San Diego to receive high quality care. One of ten projects awarded nationally, this unique partnership leverages public-private dollars. If successful in securing the local match, this project will bring an unprecedented $4M in HIV funding into the region for women during the next five years. Under Brosnan’s leadership, Christie’s Place will lead the local initiative, comprised of a collaboration of six organizations that will function as a network of care model. Demonstrative of Brosnan’s long-term vision, this project will not only improve care during the next five years, it will also strengthen local health care and social service systems long term.

Aging with Dignity Award: Bill Kelly and Bob Taylor, Philanthropists

The inaugural Aging with Dignity Award recognizes an individual or couple who have made extraordinary contributions to improve the lives of LGBT seniors.

Both respected veterans, Bill Kelly and Bob Taylor continue their legacy of service today through philanthropic work at San Diego Human Dignity Foundation and numerous other outstanding charitable organizations helping our community. Bill and Bob’s commitment to improving the quality of life for LGBT seniors served as an inspiration in the development of the multi-year initiative Aging with Dignity which, in its first phase will include raising $250,000 over a two year period to support the establishment of a full-time LGBT senior advocate office at the Center. This position will provide immediate care and connection and also serve as a collection point for more data to determine the most pressing needs of LGBT seniors.   Thanks to the tireless efforts of our award winners as well as the members of the ad hoc LGBT Senior Housing Committee, what began as a vision is now a long term, collaborative commitment to low-income LGBT seniors.  Partners for more than 32 years, Mr. Kelly and Mr. Taylor live by the motto, “Just you! Just me! Together we!” This motto epitomizes both their strength in partnership and their passion in philanthropy.  Their commitment to the community is extraordinary. Their legacy of service is inspiring.

Foundation Night

Foundation Night celebrates the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation’s 15 years of service to the LGBT community. The event will be held at the internationally acclaimed and award winning entertainment and dining venue, Anthology, in Little Italy. In 1996, SDHDF was founded with a gift from the estate of Lincoln Aston in the amount of $32,000. Today, SDHDF is the 3^rd largest LGBT-focused community foundation in the United States, and it has distributed over $2 million in grants to local non-profits.

To purchase tickets and for more information about the event, go to www.theFoundationNight.com or call the foundation at (619) 291-3383.

The San Diego Human Dignity Foundation would like to thank our event sponsors: Blachford-Cooper Foundation, California Bank and Trust, Lester Machado, MD, DDS, FRCS (Ed), Hell on Wheels, Rage Magazine, FlawLes San Diego, SDGLN and SD Pix.

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