Steven Pace receives Lifetime Achievement Award from AIN board
From Staff Reports
Dallas City Councilman Omar Narvaez presented Access and Information Network (AIN) CEO Steven Pace with a special recognition certificate recently at the 12th annual Bloomin’ Ball. Bloomin’ Ball is AIN’s largest annual fundraiser, and this year’s event was held June 2.
The certificate says, in part, “We celebrate a life well lived, a role model citizen and an ambassador contributing to the vision of Dallas to be a diverse, vibrant and progressive city. Steven Pace has worked passionately to improve the vitality and quality of life for not only those citizens of Dallas in need, but for all the citizens of Dallas he has touched with his life of committed and devoted service to humanity.”
Also at the event, the AIN Board of Trustees presented Pace with the first annual Steven Pace Lifetime Achievement Award. In the future, that award will be presented to outstanding individuals to honor their service to people affected by HIV and other life-altering ailments, an AIN spokesperson said.
Formerly known as AIDS Interfaith Network, AIN was created by local LGBT clergy in 1986 to support those living with HIV and to educate the faith community about HIV to secure a more compassionate response to those affected and rapidly dying. The agency quickly realized people needed practical assistance, and that HIV education was paramount to helping stop the spread of this new disease.
AIN started organizing support and volunteer programs and after incorporating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, began adding outreach, HIV education, health education, HIV prevention and client advocacy programs. A transportation program, the Daire Center Nutrition Program and medical and non-medical case management programs, along with a mobile health care unit and outreach to underserved communities were all added through the years.
I’m overjoyed to see that Steven Pace is being honored for his life’s work of SERVICE. In the later half of the 1980’s, I was challenged, on a weekly basis, to see if my “walk” lived up to my “talk”. In other words, I was challenged to see if the faith I professed with my mouth was demonstrated by an equal amount of steps in service to others. I don’t recall being challenged by anything in particular that Steven said in the weekly sermons he delivered at the former Metropolitan Community Church of Dallas (MCC), then located on Reagan St. in Oak Lawn. My faith & service realignment was prompted as I witnessed Steven live out his faith. Steven rose to the challenge of MULTIPLE lifetimes during the worst physical plague our community (at that point HIV/AIDS was predominantly affecting the gay male population) has ever faced. Week after week, month after month, I witnessed the very hands of God work through Steven as he served as pastor & comforter, not only to his church, but also to the community at large. One particular week during this time, I can remember Steven presiding over half a dozen or more funerals and/or Memorial Services. I did not know then, nor do I know now, Steven Pace personally. I didn’t need to know him personally. Even without knowing my name, Steven Pace has forever touched my life, and dare I say my OWN ministry. With an earnest & selfless heart, Steven has demonstrated that a life of faith demands a life of service. Thank you so very much, Steven. I have thought of you often in these nearly 30 years. I’m so glad to know that your lifetime of service has been publicly acknowledged. Congratulations!
The good work you do spreads far and wide. Congratulations, Steve.