Damien Ministries

Damien Ministries was founded in 1987 by Louis Tesconi to serve the poorest of the poor living with HIV and AIDS, as inspired by the life of the Blessed Father Damien. Damien spent many years on the island of Molokai caring for those with leprosy and helping them to live productive lives. Father Damien eventually contracted leprosy himself and died on Molokai. In 1987, Damien Ministries, Inc., was comprised entirely of volunteers who lived in community with each other and those who were dying of AIDS. By 1996 the organization had hired a full-time, paid executive director and expanded services to include case managers, faith-based outreach, and a food bank. The organization has grown from a small, volunteer-run endeavor to one of the most respected and well-known organizations in the District of Columbia. While our size and scope of programs have grown, the vision of Damien Ministries has stayed the same-a strong and passionate desire to reach out to the people who are living and dying with HIV and AIDS.