A look around the new Albany Damien Center

New Albany Damien Center exterior

The new Albany Damien Center building on Madison Ave. The center includes both buildings -- the one of the left is new construction, the other was renovated.

In 2013 the Damien Center paid off the mortgage on its Albany residence for people living with HIV and AIDS -- and then just a few months later a fire destroyed the building, leaving its residents homeless.

On Friday, the 29th World AIDS Day,the org officially opened it new residence at 728 Madison Ave, which has been under construction for the past year.

Perry Junjulas, executive director of the Damien Center, credits the city of Albany and New York State for helping the project come to fruition so quickly. He's also grateful for the input and acceptance from neighborhood residents. Junjulis says he wants the Damien Center to break the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS, and become part of the community.

"We had a groundbreaking for this project, and some folks thought that was crazy -- having a groundbreaking for an AIDS residence," Junjulas says. "But I didn't want to be 'the AIDS house.' I said, 'This is The Damien Center. We've got to break the stigma.'"

Damien Center Ribbon Cutting.jpg
Perry Junjulas cutting the ribbon with lieutenant governor Kathy Hochul.

He continued: "Instead I want people to say, 'I've got to drop a lasagne off at the Damien Center,' or 'The Damien Center is coming over to plant tulips.' I don't want our people to be holed up in their apartments I want them out in the community."

The new 26,000-square-foot building includes housing for 22 people -- 18 studio apartments and two one-bedroom apartments. While the apartments are the smallest allowed by standards by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, they feel spacious because of a design that includes high ceilings and large windows.

Damien Center Studio.jpg

Damien Center bedroom view.jpg

The building also includes a commercial kitchen expected to provide about 30,000 meals a year to residents and other people served by the Damien Center, two living rooms, a pharmacy, counseling rooms, and space for the PAWS program to help people living with HIV and AIDS hold onto their animals.

Damien Center quiet living room.jpg

Damien Center Dining room.jpg

Damien Center Conference room.jpg

What's next

Junjulas says the organization has plans to help more people with a sexual health center to assist with testing and treatment for HIV, STDs and Hep C. It's also looking at creating drop-in community center that would include a shelter and permanent supportive housing facility for LGBT youth.

How you can help

The Damien Center has a registry with Bed, Bath and Beyond from which you can donate housewares, cutlery, bedding, and other necessities to residents in need. There are also opportunities to help with meals and with the PAWS program.

Junjulas says it's also helpful when people participate in the process of creating projects like the Damien Center building. "That's what helped with this project, reaching out to the community and saying 'What do you think? How can we fit in?'"

But Junjulas says one of the biggest things people can do is to be accepting.

"I think really accepting us as people living with AIDS -- I think that is the largest thing this community can do to really combat the stigma if you hear somebody saying something bad about somebody, just shut it down."

Comments

I am thrilled that they Incorporated the mansard roof. It looks wonderful.

I wish the new residential projects being proposed could be this pretty! Looks beautiful. It's amazing how quickly that went up too.

It looks great!

Hi there. Comments have been closed for this item. Still have something to say? Contact us.

The Scoop

For a decade All Over Albany was a place for interested and interesting people in New York's Capital Region. It was kind of like having a smart, savvy friend who could help you find out what's up. AOA stopped publishing at the end of 2018.

Recently on All Over Albany

Thank you!

When we started AOA a decade ago we had no idea what was going to happen. And it turned out better than we could have... (more)

Let's stay in touch

This all feels like the last day of camp or something. And we're going to miss you all so much. But we'd like to stay... (more)

A few things I think about this place

Working on AOA over the past decade has been a life-changing experience for me and it's shaped the way I think about so many things.... (more)

Albany tightened its rules for shoveling snowy sidewalks last winter -- so how'd that work out?

If winter ever gets its act together and drops more snow on us, there will be sidewalks to shovel. And shortly after that, Albany will... (more)

Tea with Jack McEneny

Last week we were fortunate enough to spend a few minutes with Jack McEneny -- former state Assemblyman, unofficial Albany historian, and genuinely nice guy.... (more)

Recent Comments

My three year old son absolutely loving riding the train around Huck Finn's (Hoffman's) Playland this summer.

Thank you!

...has 27 comments, most recently from Ashley

Let's stay in touch

...has 4 comments, most recently from mg

A look inside 2 Judson Street

...has 3 comments, most recently from Diane (Agans) Boyle

Everything changes: Alicia Lea

...has 2 comments, most recently from Chaz Boyark

A few things I think about this place

...has 13 comments, most recently from Katherine