DOROTHY DUNN BAILEY

For the past 17 years, Dorothy Bailey has selflessly and tirelessly given care and love to people living with HIV/AIDS served by Bering Omega Community Service. Since 1986, Ms. Bailey has eased the pain of residents, parents, children and loved ones when they need it most, while giving respite to the hospice staff. She gives hope and transition to more than 650 terminally ill residents and their families and loved ones at Omega House.

The Center for Disease Control reports that Houston has the 7th largest population of people with full-blown AIDS in the nation. Bering Omega serves 1 in 3 people reported to have HIV or AIDS in Houston/Harris County and targets indigent, uninsured and under-served HIV+ individuals and their caregivers who have no other healthcare alternatives. Ms. Bailey gives compassionate care to these people living their last days due to HIV/AIDS.

Ms. Bailey also helps with contributions of much-needed funds and in-kind donations to help offset operating expenses. She has served as a leader of the Volunteer Committee for more than four years, as well as a volunteer for the annual fundraisers, “Arts Songs and Arias” and “A Christmas Songfest.” On any given day you can find Ms. Bailey administering for the Volunteer Services Program, holding the hand of a terrified person who is dying, writing a newsletter article for volunteers, or anything else she is asked to do.

Ms. Bailey continues her service being on-call to serve clients, and as an active member of the Volunteer Committee – a Board of Trustees level group that focuses on volunteer recruitment and recognition. In addition to her many hours of volunteer service, Ms. Bailey holds a part-time job as an employee of the Resource Group, an agency that provides funding to direct service providers for those with HIV/AIDS.