Caring Center International

Caring Center History

In 1994, Randy Houston's life companion, Wallace, was dying of AIDS. He tried to find alternative therapies to take care of Wallace's side effects. He just couldn't. Some who could have helped were very busy, and weren't able to get involved. Others said they would come by and never showed.

"It's just too bad we don't have a way to provide these complimentary modalities and therapies with volunteers," Randy thought.

Randy shared his dream with his friend, Roni Engle. She was a nurse with a strong link to the people who practiced these modalities. Roni and Randy were members of the First Congregational Church, so they went to their pastors and told them of Randy's dream.

After careful planning and discussion, the church opened its arms to their dream, and offered them use of the entire church Tuesday nights.

Roni contacted her network of Reiki, Healing Touch, Therapeutic Touch and Massage Therapists. About thirty-five practitioners volunteered their time. The practitioners wanted to present an environment of professional caring to their community. Many of them were medical professionals, so they chose to use the guidelines that were familiar and comfortable for them. They created an orientation for new practitioners to explain the specific needs of people with AIDS. Professional behavior such as patron confidentiality and acceptable dress were explained and expected. A schedule was created, and each volunteer came faithfully.

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