As AIN launches its Bloomin’ Ball season and prepares to celebrate the agency’s
40th anniversary, CEO Yolanda Jones said AIN is looking to the future and hoping
to expand its services.
Bloomin’ Ball season begins tonight (July 17), at 5:30 p.m. with a happy hour at The Ivy Tavern on Lemmon Avenue. DJ Tony Dean provides the music.
Then the 17th annual Bloomin’ Ball takes place at the Tower Club downtown on Elm Street on Saturday, Aug. 1. Cocktail hour and silent auction open at 6:30 p.m., followed by a three-course sit-down dinner.
Tower Club Dallas is on the 48th floor of Santander Tower, better known as Thanksgiving Tower, with magnificent views of downtown and miles beyond.
Bloomin’ Ball benefits AIN and, according to CEO Yolanda Jones, is the organization’s primary fundraiser. She promised “few speeches,” saying the emphasis is on “having a good time,” rather than listening to a lot of talk.
But even more special is that this year’s Bloomin’ Ball celebrates the 40th anniversary of AIN’s founding. Because of that special anniversary, Jones said she’s hoping this year’s event breaks the organization’s fundraising record.
AIN
AIN — previously known as AIDS Interfaith Network and now updated to Access & Information Network — offers several services, like transportation and the Howie Daire Center, that no other local agency offers.
And AIDS Healthcare Foundation opened offices right next door to AIN, Jones said, combining efforts and allowing AIN to become a one-stop shop for its clients, allowing them to access most of the services they need.
Jones said some of her clients are among those hardest hit by HIV and the problems associated with it, including many who are unhoused. She described the Daire Center as “a stigma-free relaxation zone where people come together, form friendships and family and find fellowship over a hot meal.”
And in summer, it’s a place to get out of the heat.
Every day during the week, somewhere between 20 and 80 people come to the Daire Center to have a hot meal.
“I am excited to say we have a new chef — Chef Alex,” Jones said, describing his menus as offering “a well-balanced meal with an upscale flair.” Noting that this week’s menu includes roast duck, she declared, “We’ve elevated the dining experience.”
Last year, AIN served 25,000 meals, and, Jones said, there’s a “rising need in the community.” In other words, more and more people are showing up at AIN to eat.
Jones said she is looking for more volunteers to participate in One Meal Matters, AIN’s Saturday meal program. Companies, religious organizations and friend groups get together and provide food, often catered by a restaurant, for AIN’s clients. There’s never any waste, because the clients are encouraged to take with them whatever’s left over so they’ll have something to eat for the rest of the weekend.
AIN’s transportation program provides DART passes, van trips and Lyft rides to medical appointments and other support services. That became easier to do when AHF opened next door. The two agencies share a lobby and check-in desk. AIN clients can even get their lab work done on-site now, thanks to access to AHF’s facilities.
Also new over the last year is a pharmacy that fills clients’ need. But Jones said, “You don’t have to be a client to access our pharmacy.”
Even though AIN and AHF share a space, Jones said, AIN caseworkers hand-hold new clients and walk them from AIN’s office to their first medical appointment at the AHF clinic and then to the pharmacy to pick up a new prescription.
The Daire Center holds a monthly clothing drive for its clients, and Jones encouraged anyone who has clothes to donate to drop those clothes off at the AIN office anytime between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays — except from noon to 1 p.m. when the office is closed for lunch.
AIN’s goal is always to meet the needs of its clients. With that in mind, Jones said she hopes to expand the agency’s outreach to make sure “our unhoused clients are housed.” One move toward that goal, she said, is to offer clients access to on-site shower facilities.
“I’d like to offer more services for the people we serve, to help them as they’re living their courageous lives,” Jones said. “We just want to be a part of the wheel.”