At age 11, following her mother's death, Kim began to drink.

By the time she was in her mid-twenties, her alcohol abuse had become a daily occurrence and, ultimately, cost her job, her friends, her livelihood.

Diagnosed with HIV in 2003, Kim immediately went into denial with respect to her status.

"The tears wouldn't come," she explained. "I was mad at the world."

Instead of coping with her diagnosis, Kim turned to alcohol.

Two years following her diagnosis, Kim voluntarily entered a 60-day treatment center, but was resistant to the program.

"One day, a counselor pointed to the cemetery outside and told me that was the path that I was headed down if I didn't deal with my problems," Kim explained. "He asked me if I wanted to live, or if I wanted to die. I chose to live."

Kim came to Bonaventure House late in 2005 and, has since worked diligently to rebuild her life.

"My time here has given me the freedom to work on my future," Kim explains. "I don't have to worry about anything here, so I can focus on myself."

Kim is currently attending classes at Truman College, working toward a degree in business.  She has made the honor roll, receiving 2 A's and a B. She also facilitates a women's group at CWAP and is an active participant in the programs offered at Bonaventure House.

"What I want people to understand most is that being HIV positive isn't the end of the world," Kim says, "Im still living. Every day my foundation becomes larger and stronger."