Bryan's House

At Bryan's House, we don't just care for children infected with HIV/AIDS. We provide kids affected by HIV/AIDS with the quality of life they deserve.

Our primary service is medically managed child care. We also provide child development programs, support groups, play therapy, school supplies and clothes, birthday and holiday gifts, summer camp, and most importantly, hugs and understanding! Our staff, volunteers and supporters give their time and resources to ensure that Bryan's House continues to safeguard not only our children's health, but the most precious gift of all—childhood.

Bryan's House is not a hospice or an orphanage. It's a place of compassion and hope where kids can just be kids. Bryan's House is a home away from home, a place where kids can be free of the burdens of HIV/AIDS and focus on the important things in life, like learning to read a book, paint a masterpiece, ride a bicycle and climb a tree.

In June 1987, Stefanie Held and Nurse Lydia Allen recognized the need for care for HIV-infected children and were deeply concerned about the absence of such services. They created a compassionate and cost-effective response: a non-profit organization called, "Open Arms, Inc." In 1988, they obtained 501 (c)(3) non-profit status from the IRS, leased an old two-story home, renovated it to meet licensing standards and named the facility "Bryan's House" after Lydia's son, Bryan, who was one of the first children in the Dallas area to die from AIDS.

On November 20, 1988, Bryan's House opened its doors. Originally, our home had a capacity of 9 children. Since then, we have twice expanded our facility. In 1990, we enlarged the original house allowing us to serve 34 children during the day and 17 overnight. In December 2000, we moved into a brand-new, one-of-a-kind facility. Our new home gave us room to grow in the future, tripling our childcare capacity and providing space for our new adolescent program.

Medically Managed Daytime Care, our primary service, is provided for eligible children who go home at night to be with their families. Many HIV-affected children cannot be placed in regular child care programs for many reasons (e.g., due to the child's fragile immune system, the number of daily medications, the child's medical complexities, lack of financial resources, and/or the stigma of the disease). Free van transportation for children in day care is available through a collaborative program with AIDS Interfaith Network and Bethlehem Foundation. Our medically-managed preschool is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Medically Managed Overnight Care is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It may be needed when a child's health requires 24 hour nursing—and serves as a cost-effective alternative to hospitalization. Or it may be needed when a parent is hospitalized, bedridden, or simply unable to provide appropriate and consistent care for a child. Overnight care often diffuses an immediate or potential family crisis. It may prevent possible neglect, abuse, and abandonment of a child. Some children have no family home and live temporarily at Bryan's House until they have a permanent placement with a foster/adoptive family.

Adolescent Programming is geared toward helping our teens face the struggles of adolescence which are compounded by dealing with HIV/AIDS. Our Teen Room offers fun space and a "hideaway from the little kids" to give Bryan's House teens a place of their own. Our adolescent coordinator plans and organizes the programs. These include retreats, field trips, game and karaoke nights, and peer support groups.

On-Site Nursing Care improves the general wellness of our children and greatly decreases the need for hospitalization. We give general medical support to all children in care. We also provide appropriate medical procedures, care, and medications—as well as preventive care—for physically fragile children to assure that the HIV-infected stay healthy as long as possible.

Child Development Programs are age and developmentally appropriate to enhance the physical, mental and emotional wellness of client children.

Social Workers help our children's families cope with HIV/AIDS and stay together through home visits, case management, and support group facilitation. They refer clients to other AIDS service organizations and social support services.

Counseling Services are provided for children, adolescents, families, and adults. Children are seen in individual or in group play therapy. We provide professional and caring support to parents in order to facilitate the parent child relationship and build a foundation for the child's healthy growth and development. Support groups are also offered to youth who are impacted by HIV/AIDS.

Techno Teach Learning Center is designed to help empower our clients by providing access to today’s technology. This computer center allows our adult clients and teens to have access to computer knowledge and skills through a variety of classes including word processing, spreadsheet software, presentation software, resume writing, and online job searching. Our preschool and school-age children benefit from educational software designed to build math skills, literacy skills, and even geography.

Goods Distribution is provided for specifically related child needs, such as diapers, formula, baby food and clothing. Back to School and Holiday Adopt a Family programs help provide normalcy for client families.

Emergency Medical and Non-Medical Financial Assistance is offered on a limited, privately-funded basis for medical help and paying for non-medical emergencies like food, utilities, and rent.