The Chi Tau Epsilon Dance Honor Society (XTE) at TCU hosted its annual AIDS Outreach Center (AOC) Benefit Concert, continuing a long-standing tradition of supporting individuals affected by HIV/AIDS in the Tarrant County community.
The event, held at TCU’s School for Classical & Contemporary Dance, featured performances by professional and pre-professional artists from across the Dallas-Fort Worth area, as well as dancers and choreographers from SCCDance.
To attend the event, students were asked to donate a minimum donation of $10, while general admission required a minimum donation of $20. All donations went directly to the AIDS Outreach Center (AOC) to support its client services and outreach programs.
The impact of the AOC Benefit Concert
The AOC Benefit Concert was first held in 1993 and became an annual event again in 2005. It has grown to be a significant charitable project for XTE, raising funds to support the AIDS Outreach Center’s client services and programs. AOC, the only nonprofit in Fort Worth that provides comprehensive support to individuals living with HIV/AIDS, offers services such as mental health counseling, nutritional support, dental care, housing assistance and prevention education.
One anonymous client testimonial on AOC’s website expressed deep gratitude for the services provided: “I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to my caseworkers for their unwavering dedication and exceptional service. Their commitment to going above and beyond in their duties has made a significant impact, and I am truly grateful for their hard work and support.”
We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from Chi Tau Epsilon,” Kim Russell, director of client services at the AIDS Outreach Center, said. “Their generosity directly impacts the services we provide to our clients, from medical assistance to mental health support. Every donation makes a real difference in the lives of those we serve.”
Russell also highlighted the center’s Senior Survivors Program, which provides support for people who have lived with HIV for more than 20 years.
“When HIV first emerged in the 1980s, no one expected people to survive this long,” Russell said. “Now, thanks to medical advancements, we are seeing individuals who have lived with HIV for 35 years or more, and we are dedicated to giving them the resources they need to thrive.”
Among the attendees was Emilia Hellak, a sophomore psychology student, who attended the event to support both the performers and AOC’s mission. “I think it’s incredible that the dance community is using their art to bring awareness to such an important cause,” Hellak said. “It was inspiring to see so many talented dancers come together to make a difference.”
Featured acts at the concert
The evening featured a diverse lineup of performances, including works from DanceTCU, the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, I.M. Terrell Academy’s Dance Ensemble, Avant Chamber Ballet and Zion Dance Project.
The pieces showcased a mix of contemporary, classical and experimental dance styles, reflecting the artistic excellence and commitment to social change that XTE promotes.
While multiple dance majors participated in the event, they were unavailable for interviews after their performances.
Further impact from XTE
Beyond the performances, XTE presented a $1,000 donation to AOC, raised through its fifth annual virtual auction. The initiative, led by Kaitlyn Hernandez and Solei Niusulu, XTE’s directors of community engagement, has served as an additional fundraiser since 2021.”
“We are so proud to continue this tradition and use dance as a way to give back to the community,” Hernandez said. “AIDS Outreach Center does incredible work, and knowing that our efforts help provide essential services to those living with HIV/AIDS makes this event even more meaningful.”
As part of its mission, the honor society has committed to ongoing support for AOC and its programs, ensuring that funding, awareness and education around HIV/AIDS remain a priority.
