Family Centers CARES honored longtime advocate Debra Katz with the 2025 Shawn M. Lang AIDS Warrior Award during its annual World AIDS Day luncheon.
Katz served as the first AIDS Program Coordinator for the City of Stamford, an early predecessor to what would become Stamford CARES. She later helped establish Stamford CARES (now known as Family Centers CARES) as a nonprofit organization and served on its founding Board of Directors. Over her 25-year tenure leading prevention services for the City of Stamford, she introduced innovative programs, strengthened collaboration across agencies, and transformed support for individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS.
Named in honor of one of Connecticut's earliest HIV/AIDS advocates, the Shawn M. Lang AIDS Warrior Award honors individuals whose work has made a lasting impact on the lives of people affected by HIV/AIDS.
More than 60 community partners, providers and supporters attended the event, which recognized both the progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS and the ongoing need for education, prevention and care.
Since 1991, Family Centers CARES has provided comprehensive HIV/AIDS services in lower Fairfield County, including medical case management, mental health counseling, prevention services and community outreach.