A NEW NAME FOR OUR HOUSE'S NEXT 20 YEARS...

Dear SASG Supporters and Community Members,

Seattle AIDS Support Group (SASG) has been providing emotional support services for those affected by HIV/AIDS for 20 years in this community.  In addition, for a number of years now, our programming has expanded to offer emotional support, discussion, and skills-building groups and personal development services to the entire spectrum of the gay/queer community – gay men, bisexuals, lesbians, transgendered persons, and those questioning and searching for their own truth.

Our expanded programming presented a new challenge: we found that many people didn’t realize we had programming to offer them because our name implies we “only do AIDS.”  It has become clear that for many in the community, our name is now a barrier to accessing our services.

SASG has many wonderful supporters who know and love us as the old “Seattle AIDS Support Group” – but we have become (and will continue to grow into) so much more than what that name says about us as an organization serving the entire spectrum of queer communities.  The dilemma:  how to honor the past and the many people who support us because of that past, while also speaking to a new set of people who need and want the many other services we also provide.  (If you are confused and wondering what those “other services” are, take a look at the programming schedule on the reverse of this letter – and then come and participate in a group!)

At the April Board of Director’s Meeting, the issue of the SASG name was again discussed when a specific name idea was brought to their attention.  It seemed to address the need to honor the past, in several ways, while providing a name that would not tie us into providing only one area of service.  After much discussion and gathering feedback from the SASG community, the Board voted in May to change the name of the agency to “Dunshee House”.

For those in the community who continue to support our work because of their connection to our traditional HIV/AIDS programming, the “Dunshee” name will remain a familiar and important connection to them.  For those in the community to whom SASG  is not known, Dunshee House will come to stand for the wide range of services this House provides to all queer-inclusive communities.

There have been many people over our 20-year history who have made important contributions to SASG and a lot of them are no longer with us.  Susan, during her 17 years as Executive Director, made sure their work and sacrifice was never forgotten, always carrying on with grace and strength in the face of overwhelming grief and loss.  Honoring her in this way, we continue to honor SASG’s beginnings, while also looking towards a larger future.  Please come and join in our Dunshee House community!

Tim Jenkins, Board President                       Deborah Witmer, Executive Director

[Home] [About] [Volunteer] [Services] [Find a Group] [Donate] [Newsletter] [Links] [Contact]