Miami Herald (MH) - Monday, June 24, 1991
Tony Pugh; Herald Staff Writer

In the years since, she watched his insurance run out, his medical bills mount and his landlord move him out. Today, her cousin lives independently, but because of his deteriorating health, he will soon need somewhere to go.

"Having gone through that experience with him, I wanted to help others go through it because I don't believe just because someone tells you you're going to die means you're going to die," Foster said.

So last year, Foster, owner of a Miami court reporting service, took $4,000 from a winning lottery ticket and formed Think Life, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides independent housing to people with AIDS or those infected with the virus that causes it.

Recently, the group received about $45,000 from the Broward County Department of Health and Public Safety to pay one year's rent for seven AIDS patients in a Fort Lauderdale apartment building.

"I'm doing this because I know there's a need and I think we can do a better job than the government of helping some of these people," Foster said.

Each of the seven apartments will be remodeled and furnished. Foster hopes to have the apartments ready for occupancy in July.

Think Life already helps four AIDS patients rent apartments in Hollywood.

Because many AIDS patients can't work, they also can't afford to live independently. "I think that blows their mind more than anything," Foster said. "It's been my experience that they want to live independently as long as they can take care of themselves."

That spurred the philosophy behind Think Life: to create an environment that encourages people to think about living instead of dying.

As executive director, Foster has had trouble getting other blacks to participate in the organization. The group's seven-member board of directors is all white.

Foster said some blacks wrongly believe that AIDS only afflicts homosexuals or intravenous drug abusers. "We need to try to educate them because some don't realize this disease affects people from all walks of life."

Willie Lewis, a former drug abuser infected with HIV, has lived the last six months at the Spectrum Program Inc., a drug rehabilitation center in Wilton Manors. He tried to get Social Security benefits to pay for an apartment, but his application was denied. He hopes Think Life will accept his application for housing.

"This is my last resort," Lewis said. "If I'm around other people like me then, emotionally, I can't help but grow from it. That's my theory. I want to get stronger."

Foster said even though the grant money will pay the tenants' rent for a year, the group must raise $2,500 for a security deposit. Money is also needed to furnish the apartments and buy linen and other necessities.

The group is sponsoring a fund-raiser July 13 at Eduardo's 2400 restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. Donations of cash and services are welcome. For more information, call 721-0904. For more information on Think Life, call 475-0793 in Broward or 653-6164 in Dade.

CAPTION: PHOTO Georgia Foster opened the door to independent living for AIDS victims (b)
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