Desert AIDS Project raises $12 million toward new project
2 years ago, the Desert Aids Project (DAP) was providing services to 2,300 clients each year. Today, that number has risen exponentially to over 4,500 yearly clients, but their Palm Springs facility has not grown proportionately. But a new project is on the horizon for DAP, one that aims to help not just those 4,500 hundred people, but 10,000 within a few years.
“DAP’s already bursting at the seams. We don’t just need to open our doors wider. We need new doors, period,” said DAP CEO David Brinkman during a speech at the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards on Feb. 10. ” I’m proud and relieved to announce that new doors are on the way. DAP plans to expand its campus, and is officially launching a capital campaign to make that expansion a reality.”
The new plan will involve major renovations to DAP’s Palm Springs facilities and the construction of a pavilion which will bridge the two structures. By project’s end, the new facility will measure 70,000 sq feet.DAP has also purchased a county building next to its current campus on N Sunrise Way to house a new 60-unit affordable housing center.
“When this expansion is complete, we will have increased the capacity of our medical clinics to 8,000 patients yearly and doubled the capacity of our dental clinic to 2,000,” Brinkman said.
“We will be in the position to house 75% more people–thereby eliminating our apartments’ current three-year wait list. From being able to help 4500 people today to 10,000 within the next few years.”
At the end of the speech, Brinkman noted that $12 million dollars had been pledged so far to the projects anticipated goal of $20 million.
More: I-Team and Stands for You investigations
Find us on Facebook: KESQ News Channel 3 & CBS Local 2
Follow us on Twitter for breaking news updates: @KESQ & @Local2
We’re on Instagram! @KESQ_News_Channel_3 & @CBSLocal2
Noticias en español: Telemundo 15
Download the KESQ / CBS Local 2 app on iTunes or Google Play for up-to-the-minute breaking news alerts & more
