“I’m ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille,” Robin joked as she prepared to tell her story on camera. “I am so thankful for Casa Madona and I want other people to know about it.”

This was a special opportunity for Robin to spread the word about Casa Madona, one of Alliance for Housing and Healing’s four group homes that provide 24/7 care in a comfortable, welcoming setting. The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, a generous funder, is making a short film about its work and Ms. Taylor’s wonderful legacy. The film will feature Robin and Casa Madoña to show the AIDS epidemic’s devastation and how the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation is making a difference.

A native Californian, Robin had a successful career as a customer service representative at a number of high profile corporations, including JPL. Her life took a turn for the worse when she was diagnosed with HIV, divorced, and found herself alone in a mobile home that she could no longer afford. She was arrested for living in a park and gave her sister’s name to the police. Reunited with her family in court, Robin moved in with one sister, then the other. Neither situation was welcoming. “They made me use a designated set of silverware. They were frightened and ignorant.”

“At Casa Madona my disease is secondary,” saya Robin. “Everyone here welcomes me with open arms. The staff really cares about us. To them, this is not just a job. To me, it is my life.”

Robin has been at Casa Madona just over a year and hopes to eventually regain her independence.

“I am grateful to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and others who make this possible.” Robin said as she looked around, past the camera, and toward her future.

“Humbling” was how David described that difficult time. He was diagnosed with HIV in 2000, became too ill to work, went through his savings, and faced homelessness. In a short period of time, David went from a six-figure salary to nothing except the thought of living in his car.

In 2001, a suggestion came from an unlikely place – his landlord. Knowing that David was struggling to pay his rent, David’s landlord recommended Aid for AIDS, a program of Alliance for Housing and Healing. Being a football fan, David felt like he was in the final two minutes and needed a Hail Mary pass. Could anyone help him pay rent and get back on his feet? With mounting bills and increasing desperation, David walked into the Aid for AIDS West Hollywood office on Santa Monica Boulevard.

“It was nice. I felt like a customer, not a charity case. They helped me with the documents and pretty soon I had assistance with my rent.”

The emergency rent payment did more than buy another 30 days in his apartment. It gave David peace of mind. “Knowing that I would have a roof over my head made everything else seem a little easier. I focused on getting to the doctor and putting my life back together.”

It took seven years for David to regain his strength and get back to practicing law – a humbling period that he does not plan to forget. To celebrate his recent 50th birthday, David asked his friends and family to donate to select charities close to his heart. Alliance for Housing and Healing was at the top of the list. David has also joined the Alliance for Housing and Healing board to continue to give back. He knows that our programs save lives – including his.

David is one of the 1,300 people we help each year because donors like you make that possible. Please consider a donation now. Click here to contribute to help those in need of emergency rent assistance.

A record year! The Best in Drag Show 2014 raised $450,000 for Aid for AIDS, a program of Alliance for Housing and Healing. THANK YOU to our donors, sponsors, ticket buyers, volunteers, and performers. Because of YOU, we will be able to provide housing and food – the basic necessities – to our neighbors who are devastated by HIV/AIDS.

“We are kicking butt!” Miss New York was heard saying backstage as the enthusiastic audience made many generous donations to show their appreciation of the performers and the mission of the charity. Indeed, Miss New York- Po Mi Saki (Nicholas Mancini)-, was kicking butt and everything else as part of her amazing talent routine that showcased highly acrobatic martial arts.

Miss Washington, Willamina Wonka (Marcus Barela), wowed by spinning on a rope far above the stage. Reminiscent of a chocolate covered cirque du soleil, Miss Washington’s barely there swimsuit was also a crowd pleaser.

Miss Hawaii, Suh Nami (Sean Kim), seamlessly combined her Hawaiian heritage with her Latin roots to show off flawless dance moves in an exciting pasodoble. She also taught us how to survive natural and manmade disasters – think extra-hold hairspray.

Miss New Mexico, D’Vida Loca (David A. Flores), was out of this world with an alien inspired magic act that left us all wondering how she did it. But, the booty shaking distracted us from guessing her secrets.

Miss Maine, Dotty Rae Johnson (Todd Wing), brought her ‘feminine’ side all the way from the backwoods. She wielded axes like a pro. But, just to be safe, the backstage area was cleared before she started her talent routine.

Miss Alaska, Tastee Freez (Seth Hancock), was the audience favorite. Her lip synching to Let It Go from Frozen was a roaring hit with a standing ovation. More than 850,000 people have seen the video online. To experience the Tastee phenomenon, click here.

Celebrity judges were generous with their scores and their dollars. Many of the stars made personal donations of $5,000 and $10,000. Our pink carpet was graced with the event’s headliner Kathy Griffin who opened the show with her unique brand of stand-up. The sold-out Orpheum Theatre could barely contain its excitement as Kathy started the night with an homage to Bruce Jenner. Kathy was joined on the judging panel by amazing A-listers Jennifer Coolidge, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Melanie Griffith, Josh Henderson, Dot Jones, Kathy Kinney, Mary-Louise Parker, and Holland Taylor.

Event co-founder Patrick Rush returned to his sequined podium to host and try to keep a lid on the madness. Patrick’s charm and wit carried the audience through the laughs and tears of the show. Many of the notes that accompanied the donations thanked Patrick for his personal dedication to the Aid for AIDS mission.

Jeffrey Drew directed, choreographed, and helmed the Best in Drag Show 2014. After making the transition from onstage talent to director a few years ago, Jeffrey has continued to raise the stakes. The opening number was better, the jokes were funnier, and the girls were almost prettier thanks to Jeffrey’s hard work.

All photos courtesy of JPI Studios.

The show was Broadway caliber and brilliant thanks to the sets by Jimmy Cuomo, the lights by Joey Alfano, and many of the costumes by Clay Sadler. The party started in the elaborate Orpheum lobby decorated by Ryan Zynger.

Sponsors and donors made the evening a tremendous success. Special thanks to our leading contributors including Dr. Mark Honzel, Klean Treatment Centers, Craig Fisse and Michael Patrick King, Steve Needleman, Barbara Jacobs, Michael Kraut and Dan McCarty. To see a list of sponsors and donors, click here.

In the end, Vava Fanculo ended her reign by crowning Miss New York Po Mi Saki the new Miss Best in Show. But, everyone was a winner that night – especially the clients of Aid for AIDS.