Aniz is proud to share the following success stories.  

We are proud because these stories represent the work we do and the resilience and strength of those who come to us for help. 

We hope that you will see the strength and respect the hard work that brought about each individual’s success.  By sharing these success stories we celebrate each person’s accomplishments as well our own.

TYRONDA

Tyronda came to Aniz when she was 5 years old.  She was sick all the time and didn’t understand why.  Tyronda learned that she was HIV+ from her therapist who helped the five year old understand her physical symptoms and give voice to her fears, guilt and shame.  Tyronda knew that she often felt badly and that others too often mistreated her because she was HIV positive.  Through counseling and play therapy Tyronda learned that HIV was a disease and not a punishment.  She learned how to take her medications and deal with the physical symptoms of HIV.  Tyronda grew to understand that ignorance and fear caused some people to be unkind towards her and was able to separate herself from other people’s ignorance.  By participating in Aniz’ children’s therapeutic program, Tyronda learned how to cope with her illness and to express her feelings and fears. 

BRENDA

Forty-five year old “Brenda” came to Aniz in December of 1995 to participate in Aniz Day Treatment Program.  With only three (3) days of sobriety under her belt, “Brenda” made a sincere commitment to Aniz’s year long program of dialing counseling and treatment.  Case managers and therapists supported and guided “Brenda” as she struggled with substance addiction, her HIV status, clinical depression, unemployment, and homelessness.  In less than two years “Brenda” not only achieved sobriety, but moved into independent housing and was employed full-time at Outreach, Inc.  Brenda is a current volunteer at Aniz.  She is an exceptional role model for women facing multiple challenges and for those who sometimes doubt that “regular” people can often achieve extraordinary things. 

Martin

He was just 17 years old when he traveled from a small town south of Atlanta to receive services from Aniz.  Aniz connected “Martin” with Grady Hospital and worked collaboratively with them to help “Martin” accept the knowledge of his extremely low T-cell count.  Individual and group counseling, along with case management services were instrumental in supporting “Martin” as he learned how to deal with his illness and the challenge of living as an openly gay teen in rural Georgia.  With help from Aniz, “Martin” was able to secure housing at Carpenter House.  As an openly gay young man, “Martin is able to relate to the isolation and fear that many young gays and lesbians experience.  He serves as a volunteer in the community, working specifically with young people. 
“Martin” currently attends Atlanta Tech and is studying to become a phlebotomist.  He also continues to reach out to teens affected by and infected with HIV.