A Place of Refuge

Since Willie McGoogin was diagnosed with HIV in 1990, he’s been through a lot of ups and downs. Connecting with the ACE program at LSS (Advocacy, Care & Education) was a turning point for Willie. He calls LSS “a place of refuge.”

On a recent Tuesday afternoon, Willie stood in the office of ACE Medical Case Management Supervisor Amy Thompson, his first case manager at LSS. They’ve been reminiscing.

(L-R) Chris Schaefer, Amy Thompson, and Willie McGoogin

“Amy was a champion for me,” Willie says warmly. “She never once doubted me or made me feel less than I was. She was very comforting, very encouraging. She wanted the best for me.”

Amy’s program, Medical Case Management, is just one of many that comprise the ACE program. Medical case managers help their clients navigate the medical services available to them, and help them to reduce barriers to care including transportation and insurance issues.

Other ACE services include:

· Mental Health & Psychosocial

· Jail Link

· Transitional Housing & Housing Assistance

· Food Pantry & Nutrition Services

· Outreach, Health Education & Risk Reduction

· Durable Goods

And, thanks to the partnership of CAN Community Health, ACE clients have easy access to state-of-the-art medical and dental care, right onsite at LSS.

This comprehensive care has led to ACE clients’ impressive 95% viral suppression rate. That means 95% of our ACE clients in Medical Case Management are taking such good care of themselves that they can no longer pass on the virus to others.

Willie is one of the 95%. He became a client of ACE services in 2014. What does Amy remember about those days?

“Willie was a hot mess,” she says with a laugh.

And Willie would be the first to agree. However, he is now healthy. He has been sober for six years. He is employed, self-sufficient, and about to move into his very own apartment.

“Willie never gave up,” Amy says. “Although he took a few steps back at times, he worked hard at getting back on track.”

Willie adds, “I am so humble and grateful. I’m a happy guy!” Of the ACE program and its transformative role in his life, he says “It supports me in striving to do the best I can do.”

And, now that his life has stabilized, Willie plans to make a donation to LSS to help others receive the same life-changing care he received. He says he will make the donation in memory of Bill Brim and Dick Neimann, two LSS team members who helped him when he joined ACE 11 years ago. Both Bill and Dick recently passed away.

In gratitude for the help he has received at LSS, Willie wants to share his experience with others, in hopes that those who need help will seek it. He also wants them to have faith that things will get better.

“There is hope,” Willie says, “but you have to be persistent.”

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