Tucson, Arizona September 2021 Vol. 26, No. 3

Remembering An Exceptional Woman and Ally: Barbara Kaller-Cohen

by Scott Blades, Executive Director

My “second mom” passed away in May. I met Barbara Kaller in 1990 on the most

transformative weekend of my life. That weekend was an occasion that Barbara

helped me understand as an “enlightenment experience,” a spiritual moment where the

past, present, and future of my life converged into a moment of clarity, filling me with

peace, and a clear direction for what I needed to do. That weekend I received a clear

welcoming me with open arms. Little did I know how that “random” assignment,

that one instant, would change my life. We sat down and shared lunch, and the

bonding began.

The spiritual experience that weekend doesn’t really fit into words, so I don’t talk about it much. My commitment to

myself at that retreat was to move through my fears and begin volunteering to help people with HIV/AIDS (something I

had been putting off because of my trauma of losing my mentor and best friend Jerry to the disease). Little did I know

how Barbara would play such an immense role in my journey—our journey. Barbara was Jewish, but loved the

spirituality, sense of community, and service to others that St. Francis was nurturing. And I was newly

joining a church after spending much of my life vowing to never set foot in a church, angry at the hypocrisy

and judgment. Barbara and I connected on many levels, and together we began a journey of love and service.

Barbara nor I had experience in this area of organizing, but we were full of passion. I was a 20-something-year-old man

finally coming to terms with my sexuality after teenage years of suicidality, and life as a young adult living a relatively

closeted life. Barbara was a 50-something heterosexual woman who had been widowed and was seeking to explore new

ways of being and helping.

Together, we thrived and grew. In 1993, we gathered a group from St. Francis to

attend the March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and

Liberation, a large political rally--one of the largest protests in US history—and

the accompanying display of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, with

thousands of quilt panels laid out on the National Mall surrounding the

Washington Monument. We marched, we walked the acres of AIDS quilt

(story continued on page 3)

Thank you for a great event that raised thousands for our programs and services. See inside for details!

Morris A. Hazan

Family Foundation

Dr. Seth Dubry &

Mr. Todd Colwell

Linda

Girard

Barbie Adler &

Tina

MacBeth

Roger Funk &

Doug Noffsinger

The Zarling Family Stuart J. Meinke

Frank Ptak

support more people and serve as a “PFLAG mom,” which so many in

the LGBTQ and HIV communities need and deserve.

PFLAG is an international movement, the first and largest organization for

lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their

parents and families, and allies. PFLAG moms are known for their

unconditional love, courage, and advocacy. So many people need a

supportive and accepting mom like Barbara, and she was happy to be a fierce ally and advocate for them,

and to show them the love they need to thrive.

Our connection, the strengths that we brought out in each other, has helped provide support services to more than 1,000

people living with HIV, and continues to build a more just and caring community. In addition to her impact on me and

institutions, and as a community to fully acknowledge, embrace, and include our trans and non-binary members

in our LGBTQ+ community.

Our 2021 Treasures for TIHAN

The holidays can be a difficult time for many. The season often carries a lot of meaning and a lot of memories. It can be

even more difficult for people living with HIV. Many of our CarePartners are rather isolated due to physical or mental

health challenges, or being cut off from their families of birth. Many survive on disability income, and some lack the

networking and socializing opportunities that a work life can provide.

This holiday season, can you help brighten the day for TIHAN’s CarePartners living with HIV? We are collecting

donations of new, unused holiday gifts with a value of $15-$25, as well as $25 gift cards to stores like Target, Walmart,

“Thank you all for the

Honoring the Spirit of Philanthropy of Jim and Jill Rich

serve the meals and recruit many volunteers and donors to help TIHAN.

They also help with the Primavera Foundation, where they provide a meal for 100 homeless men twice a year. The Mitzvah

Corporation is another nonprofit that they are involved with: Jill is also the administrator, and Jim is a key supporter and

volunteer, of this group that provides financial support to people in need throughout the community.

Jim and Jill also have a rich history of assisting the Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Red Cross, aiding with

disaster support efforts by helping people after a flood, fire, or other disasters.

country and fulfilling their educational goals. They are also

active with Lutheran Social Services, serving as mentors for a

Syrian family. Jim and Jill are now looking to be of support to

new arrivals from Afghanistan who are being relocated to Tucson.

Whether providing funds for shoes for migrants, serving meals to

people in need, delivering paperwork and checks for emergency

rent assistance, mentoring, or any of their vast charitable efforts,

Jill and Jim give generously of their time, talents, and treasures.

“I feel it’s my duty to contribute to the common good of society,”

Jim shared. “People need to be supported and loved, and then

they can begin to thrive.” Jill added, “What’s important is to

encourage each other to repair the world, improve our community

2021 Spirit of Philanthropy Award, to be presented at the