Longtime Family Centers Board Member Honored for HIV/AIDS Activism

Darien, Conn. (Dec. 3, 2024) – At its annual World AIDS Day Luncheon on December 3, Family Centers’ Stamford CARES program honored Rev. David Van Dyke with the Shawn M. Lang AIDS Warrior Award.

Van Dyke has been a member of Family Centers’ Board of Directors since 2008 and recently retired as Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church (Fish Church) in Stamford after a remarkable 45-year career. During the height of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, Van Dyke was a staunch advocate for those affected by the disease, regularly opening the doors of his church for HIV/AIDS support groups and educational seminars.

In 1998, Van Dyke joined the board of Stamford CARES, where he played a pivotal role in enhancing medication management, support, and prevention services for those living with HIV/AIDS in Stamford. When Stamford CARES merged with Health Care Connections in 2003, Van Dyke continued his leadership as Board President. In 2008, he was instrumental in facilitating Health Care Connections’ merger with Family Centers, further strengthening the organization’s ability to serve the HIV/AIDS community.

“As a Family Centers board member, David has been chairing the committee that oversees all our healthcare services, including Stamford CARES,” said Bob Arnold, Family Centers’ CEO. “His unwavering support and advocacy for people living with HIV/AIDS have been vital. David has championed the growth of these programs, enabling them to provide more comprehensive support and wrap-around services.”

At the event, Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons also officially proclaimed December 3, 2024, as World AIDS Day, reaffirming the city’s commitment to reducing HIV infections, improving access to care, and advocating for health equity.

Family Centers incorporated the Shawn M. Lang AIDS Warrior Award in 2023 to honor a member of the community whose actions benefit those living with HIV/AIDS. Lang was a tireless advocate for marginalized communities, particularly those affected by HIV/AIDS.

A program of Family Centers, Stamford CARES offers a host of counseling and education services to help children and adults with HIV/AIDS lead healthier, more productive lives. The program is staffed by trained therapists, family counselors and medical case workers. Services include case management, emergency financial assistance, support groups and referral services. Stamford CARES also oversees all HIV/AIDS prevention services in the Stamford area.

Family Centers is a private, nonprofit organization offering health, education and human service programs to children, adults and families in Fairfield County. More than 300 professionals and 500 trained volunteers work together to provide more than 26,000 residents with a holistic, wrap-around approach to care. Family Centers is Joint Commission accredited in Ambulatory Health Care, Behavioral Health Care and Human Services. Family Centers’ Early Care and Education programs are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and the agency is licensed by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. Visit www.familycenters.org for additional information.