AIDS_Ryan White Leadership Award Bestowed to Citizen Advocate_ Mr. Matt Locklin

AIDS/ Ryan White Leadership Award Bestowed to Citizen Advocate Matt Locklin


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The active membership of the AIDS Housing Coalition Houston-AHCH-inc., are extremely proud to announce that their executive director; and GLBT community icon, Mr. Matt Locklin - has been awarded the RYAN WHITE LEADERSHIP AWARD for 2011. The RYAN WHITE Council consortium bestowed the plaque to Matt Locklin and others for demonstrating exceptional leadership; and extraordinary dedication to improving the lives of those infected & affected by HIV & AIDS in Texas.


The RYAN WHITE LEADERSHIP AWARD honor is bestowed for a lifetime of excellence in public service and was officially issued February 05, 2011. The HIV & AIDS community award was co-sponsored by the Houston Ryan White Planning Council; The Chief of Houston dept of Health HIV/STD Prevention Bureau; The community based initiative -Neighborhood Centers, inc @ Ripley House; Houston Regional HIV/AIDS Resource Group; the Managers of the Ryan White Grant Administration; and the Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services.


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Matt Locklin, who also a gay man who lives with AIDS- is the founding "Chairman Emeritus" of the publicly elected Thomas St. Health Center Citizen’s Council -TSHCC ; has served as an key officer on the Hospital District’s Council-at-large, thus overseeing the entire health network of public clinics served by HCHD. Matt has served with distinction and clarity within the Harris County Hospital District for nearly two decades. Locklin also serves as founding member; and still current executive director - of the AIDS Housing Coalition Houston –AHCH-inc., - which has operated for 17 years; as a 501 (c) 3 non profit org. AHCH-inc. specializes in working with the near homeless HiV populations of Houston area. The AIDS Housing Coalition Houston-inc. is an all volunteer operation, provides heterosexual and GLBT positive housing, does not currently use state nor federal funding to finance their emergency AIDS housing programs. The band of organized neighbors instead rely on public donations; business donations; guest rent income contributions; and private foundation grants to operate.


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Honoree Matt Locklin is also a previous "Jefferson Awards" 2007 recipient for his work with the homeless @ West Heights House Shelter (AHCH). Locklin, an accomplished SGI-USA Buddhist practitioner, has earned the House of Charity (Muslim) "Humanitarian of The Year in 2006"; and in 2011 has been acknowledged for his tireless efforts thru the US Congressionally sponsored RYAN WHITE FUNDING - for people living with HIV/AIDS. Mr. Locklin who has served on the former board of the PWA Coalition Houston and many differing GLBT charity groups, he authored the original multi-million dollar HOPWA grant for the establishment AIDS apartment complex @ 312 W. Alabama. For nearly 15 years this property has provided safe, affordable supervised apartments, which are now under the more experienced management of the AIDS Foundation Houston –AFH.


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The current 2011 Thomas St Health Center Council Chairman Mr. John Tuttle, was also a RYAN WHITE LEADERSHIP AWARD co-recipient; and others on the HCHD Citizen’s Council, some were publicly noted for their distinguished volunteer service activities. Brightly colored "RYAN WHITE Funds logo" embroidered dress shirts were also issued to publicly designate the "heroes" that wear them.


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The AIDS Housing Coalition Houston volunteers are currently seeking donations to operate their public shelter programs.