Court

Born: San Antonio, TX

Current residence: Hell’s Kitchen

Volunteer: since 2008; 2010 Educator of the Year Award Recipient

What has been the impact of this volunteer experience to your life? Most of my past volunteering experience had been on committees or boards. Volunteering at GHMC has given me the opportunity to touch and be touched directly and personally.

What were you doing prior to volunteering at GMHC? I worked as a senior television network executive until 2007, when I burned out and decided to search for a more meaningful life path. That change gave me more time to spend in worthwhile endeavors, such as serving as a lifecoach and college prep instructor at GMHC.

What were you looking for when you came to GMHC? I longed to help people. To my surprise, the people I’ve met through this non-profit have helped me far more than I’ve helped them.

What is it like to volunteer especially during the first few years? It grows more rewarding every time I pass through the glass doors.

How have learned about people living with HIV/AIDS (PWHAs) since you started volunteering? Having loved numerous HIV+ (positive) men and women during the past 20 years (some as friends and others as lovers), I already felt at ease in the community. Perhaps my experience at GMHC has helped me see more clearly the “straight” face of HIV/AIDS. Up until I started at GMHC, I had only seen the gay face.

Can you tell me a client situation that totally moved and inspired you? There are so many, but having a sixty-something student at the Dr. Eugene Lawson school telling me [that] he had been accepted in a local college program — and felt confident he was ready after taking our classes — made me tear up with joy.

What do you with your spare time? Reading, writing, singing, and listening to my partner Eddie tell jokes.

What do you look forward to everyday? The chance to see the face of God in everyone I meet.