AOC Benefit Auction

The Alpha Chapter of the Chi Tau Epsilon Honor Society (XTE) is pleased to host the 5th Annual Online Auction benefitting the AIDS Outreach Center of Tarrant County (AOC). The auction is a cornerstone of the community engagement work initiated each year by Chi Tau Epsilon. It has become a favorite undertaking for both XTE and the SCCDance community.

AOC, a community-based organization, was founded in 1986 as the Fort Worth Counseling Center. Members of the Tarrant County gay and lesbian community founded the agency to help provide mental health and legal support for those suffering from HIV/AIDS. HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus – is treatable, but when left untreated, it can develop into AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. For the first two years, only volunteers staffed the agency and it received no funding. In 1988, the agency received its first grant from the Texas Department of Health (TDH) for the provision of HIV/AIDS services, which enabled AOC to hire its first two staff members.

Due to its long-standing history of quality and comprehensive support services, AOC has become the most highly utilized non-medical referral destination for more than 2,000 persons per year living with HIV/AIDS in Tarrant County and the surrounding areas. Current services include: mental health counseling, support groups, the Sandy Lanier Nutrition Center and nutritional counseling, the Geisel-Morris Dental Clinic, youth services, minority outreach, case management, legal assistance, transportation, housing, emergency assistance, an insurance continuation program, information line, and community education and prevention services, including confidential and anonymous testing for HIV and Syphilis, HIV negative and HIV positive prevention programs. In the summer of 2012, AIDS Outreach Center, in collaboration with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and the Magic Johnson Foundation, opened a state-of-the-art medical center and pharmacy for the people with HIV/AIDS regardless of their ability to pay.

The Chi Tau Epsilon Dance Honor Society was founded at Texas Christian University in 1967. We, the Alpha Chapter, are committed to providing leadership and service to the School for Classical & Contemporary Dance, TCU, the Dallas/Ft. Worth community, and the field of dance.

XTE is an Anti-Racist organization. We are committed to continue our growth in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in our community and beyond. It is our duty to recognize and unlearn the racist policies embedded in our organizations, institutions, and communities.