ABOUT US
A Personal Commitment to Prevention
Established in 1996, the Lawrence-McWhorter AIDS Foundation grew from personal experiences with HIV/AIDS and a shared commitment to helping others. Our purpose brings together prevention education and community support.
OUR STORY
The Lives Behind Our Name
The Lawrence-McWhorter AIDS Foundation’s name honors Laura Lawrence and Peter McWhorter, two people whose experiences with HIV/AIDS strengthened their determination to help others. Their compassion helped shape the foundation’s commitment to prevention education and community support.
Laura Lawrence
After her HIV diagnosis, Laura focused on helping others. She created The Next Step, connecting people newly diagnosed with HIV to community resources, referrals, and transportation to appointments. Laura also shared her personal experience with students, church youth groups, and television audiences to raise HIV awareness and encourage informed decisions.
Peter McWhorter
A gifted pianist and performer, Peter continued sharing his love of music while living with HIV. He also volunteered with Tucson’s People With AIDS Coalition, offering support to others facing the disease. He supported fellow musicians by helping them arrange performances and find work. Through music and service, he brought people together.
Though AIDS ultimately took Laura and Peter from us, the spirit in which they lived, rooted in action, dignity, and unyielding empathy, lives through our ethos in helping people by protecting their health, empowering them with the information they deserve, and connecting them with the resources they need.
WHY WE EXIST
Our Mission
Through various programs and initiatives, we strive to improve the quality of life for individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, we aim to reduce stigma and empower individuals to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives.
OUR COMMUNITY
Support Close to Home
Laura’s Closet resale shop and the Little Elm Food Bank extended the foundation’s community involvement to everyday needs. Shop proceeds supported foundation operations, while gift certificates distributed through schools, churches, and public health agencies helped local families obtain clothing and household items.
Volunteers staffed the shop and food bank, collected donations, and supported community events. Their contributions, alongside those of local businesses and organizations, helped make this work possible.
EDUCATION & OUTREACH
Prevention Through Education
The foundation supported Refusal Skills through a grant to the Denton County Health Department that funded a health educator. The program helped young people recognize risky situations and practice safer responses through discussion and role-play.
4,200+
children participated in the program’s first year.
Connecting Communities With Health Resources
Through Healthy Connections, the foundation helped bring health fairs to rural communities. These events offered free immunizations and screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, vision, and hearing, along with information about available services. Local businesses and organizations joined in to make the fairs welcoming events for families.
LATEST INITIATIVE
Carrying Prevention Forward
Our commitment to HIV prevention extends to the people who care for others. Through Stop the Sticks, we are petitioning for stronger enforcement of the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act to help protect healthcare workers from avoidable needlestick injuries and exposure to HIV and other bloodborne infections.