Golden Gate Senior Fellowship, Inc.

Mark S.

     Mark was a homeless 34 year old disabled HIV positive man confined to a wheelchair when we met him at a meeting hall in 2001. The G.G.S.F. staff quickly realized that Mark needed shelter and medications.

     Working with a local organization, Mark was placed in a hotel room near pharmacies, restaurants, the main library and Post Office. Our staff brought him all new items that he needed to set up a comfortable living situation.

     Mark flourished for several years getting his medications from a pharmacy around the corner from his hotel. He especially enjoyed the CD's and DVD's of his favorite jazz musicians.

     One day a G.G.S.F. staff member checked in on Mark at his hotel. The desk clerk said that Mark had gone out for his daily medications. Nearing the long line, the staff member saw others in the line harassing Mark due to his small stature and inability to manage his wheelchair in the long line. It was sad to see him leave the line and return home without his medication. He claimed he had enough at home to tide him over until the next day.

     Shortly after this incident Mark's health declined and his HIV status developed into AIDS. Mark was placed in a special hospice for the terminally ill. One of our staff members continued to visit Mark daily. With great difficulty our staff was able to locate Mark's mother living in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. Although quite ill and of limited financial means, herself, Mark's mother and sister flew out to visit Mark the week of his untimely death in 2005 at the age of 38.

Help us continue making a major diffrence in the day to day life's of seniors and those with disabilities. Make your donation today. Even small donations will make a major difference.

Sandy K.

     Sandy was a retired woman of about 64 when we first became aware of her needs. She was a victim of polio in 1953 and wears a leg brace. She had a room and a small Calico cat named Patches that loved people.

     Sandy was not a very tidy housekeeper so through a local agency we arranged for a cleaning person to visit once a week to clean and vacuum her room and do her laundry.

     Because Sandy was on S.S.I., she could pay her rent and grocery expenses. What she lacked were shopping skills necessary to independent living. After supplying her with bed linen and pillow, telephone, electric fan, and a bedside radio, a volunteer took her to various stores to help her gain shopping skills thus becoming more independent. 

     Our charity staff members checked in on Sandy, usually once a week. One day Sandy left in a taxi and essentially disappeared. Months passed without a word from her.

     Sandy phoned G.G.S.F. recently saying she was in a local shelter. A staff member was dispatched and assisted in having her temporarily placed in an assisted care facility for retired people.

     Now Sandy has returned to independent living and continues to make good use of the items G.G.S.F. donated to her. She was delighted to have her kitty, Patches, returned. They are doing fine in their new home.