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Person of the Year / Humanitarian Award

Each year Friends for Life recognizes one individual for outstanding service to the FFL community. From 2006 to 2008 that individual was honored as the Person of the Year. In 2009 FFL began recognizing the person of the year as the recipient of the Friends for Life Humanitarian Award. FFL is honored to present its 2011 Humanitarian Award to Steve Scheuermann.

Steve Scheuermann -2011 Humanitarian Award

When the word humanitarian comes to mind, many definitions come into play. Selflessness, compassion, caring, and the love for one's fellow man are just a few of many words that can be applied to describe a person who fits this mold. On grand scales people like Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Sir Elton John and Mother Teresa are examples of well-known people who have made a difference on a global level. But on a regular human scale, the size that speaks to the everyday person, the names are not so famous. In the past, we have honored folks like Dr. Gary Munk, Lucinda Rowe, Dr. Tim Eustace and Joe Matarazzo. These are names that are not known on the national level but names none-the-less that have made a difference in the lives of many living with HIV and AIDS.

Let us now add the name of Stephen Schuermann to the list of the everyday man's hero. Yes, hero, for it takes a person of great courage and conviction to stand up for a cause and devote time, effort and faith that he or she can make a difference and help another fellow human being. Most of the every day people "phone it in," making a donation on the run. There is nothing wrong with that because without that factor all would be lost. However, every now and then a person emerges from the norm and makes an outstanding contribution that merits our attention. Steve is that kind of man.

For decades, Steve has gone from volunteering as a "buddy" to rising to the executive director of the organization he volunteered for. All along the way he learned not only the "ins and outs" of working for a non-profit organization but he saw the faces of the people who needed the help. It's one thing when you don't see them but when you look into their eyes and see into their souls you know what the true story is and their story grabs your heart and becomes the motivating factor to do what needs to be done. It's the heart of the humanitarian that makes him stand above the rest of the fold.

So tonight, please join Friends For Life in honoring not only the man behind the work and the guts behind the conviction but the heart behind the love. This rare combination of characteristics does not happen often but when it does...mankind is blessed. Thank you Steve for making our world a far better place with you in it and a far more wonderful world for the love you leave behind you as you walk amongst us. Your legacy will always be " like a hand print on our heart."

Previous Recipients of FFL Recognition

An interview with Steve

In an interview with Steve Scheuermann, Friends for Life asked him several questions to get to know more about the man of the year. Here is that interview:

It is known that you started out in the HIV/AIDS support community as a one-on-one buddy with the Hyacinth AIDS Foundation, and then also NJ Buddies.

(FFL) What motivated you to take on one of the most emotional tasks at the time?

(Steve) It really was a question of just wanting to do something. I attended a meeting of the Compassion Ministry at my church. That night they had a guest speaker from the Hyacinth AIDS Foundation who was just riveting. I signed up and took the volunteer training classes to work one-on-one with people who had AIDS down in New Brunswick, and shortly thereafter took on my first "buddy."

(FFL) At a time when a positive diagnosis was a death sentence, how did you manage to keep yourself from being swallowed up in grief as you "buddied" with the clients?

(Steve) Perhaps the most help came from the training which Hyacinth and Buddies had given me. It was very intense and helped a lot. The first and most important rule was to set barriers with the client. These were meant to protect me and prevent me from getting too overwhelmed or even taken advantage of. During my training, I had been told that my biggest problem would be that I would get too emotionally involved and I have to admit it was my biggest problem. When you are dealing with people, rules can't always be followed, as there seems to always be exceptions. At that point, basically, you realize you are who you are and go with it.

(FFL) How did your move from being a buddy to the Executive Director transpire?

(Steve) As time allowed, I started doing more volunteer work with Buddies, helping to man the phones in the office or working in the food pantry. Then in 1999, I helped launch the AIDS Walk as a new fundraiser for Buddies. Today it is our largest fundraiser each year. With Frank Smith's retirement, Buddies hired a new ED, who disappointingly lasted just about 9 months. I had voiced interest earlier and was now approached about the possibility of running the agency. I accepted and have now run the agency for just over 10 years.

(FFL) Your experience in NJ Buddies has prepared you for the job you have today with that organization but what has been your driving force to stay in the business of looking out for the needs of others?

(Steve) This job has been a great experience for me personally. The job itself is ever changing and that's what I love most about it. It has introduced me to so many terrific people and situations starting with our clients themselves, and adding to that so many wonderful people in all walks of life. People working at other CBOs and health agencies, doctors, nurses, educators, city and county employees, politicians and their staffs, either down in Washington or at their local offices, not to forget the many volunteers who have walked in our front door, have all been a gift I could never have imagined. They have all given me much more than I could ever repay.

(FFL) You travel to Washington, D.C. quite often for HIV/AIDS interests. What are you able to tell the readers about the how our leaders see the role of the government in the on- going economic support for agencies like NJ Buddies and Friends for Life?

(Steve) We in New Jersey have had the solid support of all of our Congressional delegation down in Washington. With the passage of the Affordable Care Act last year, we have now entered a whole new era of budget cutting and along with national health care it will be a real challenge to keep the support services we provide going. Almost all budgeting in now focused only on the 'medical' needs of our clients, with less emphasis being put on the support services which, in most cases, is what keeps our clients in care.

(FFL) Over the years, with better treatments, medications and increased knowledge of health care, HIV/AIDS has been reclassified from a fatal disease to a chronic illness. With that being said how do you see the role of the agencies in the future of HIV/AIDS care and support?

(Steve) It has truly been a wonder to see how far we have come with treatment and medications. Sadly, however, we have fallen short in two critical areas. First, in even putting a dent in the horrible stigma still attached to HIV/AIDS and second in the areas of prevention and education. HIV/AIDS is preventable yet we have over 56,000 people newly infected every year here in the U.S. All this being said, as mentioned above, agencies such as ours will have to adjust to more of a medical model or turn their attention to prevention if they are going to survive.

(FFL) Along with the reclassification comes the increase of newly diagnosed people covering the spectrum from pre-adolescence to senior citizens, and of every color, creed, gender, and sexuality. How do the agencies attack the growing number of this new wave?

(Steve) Basically with a 'reality' check on all levels. As I mentioned above, budget concerns are going to create a real challenge for agencies like ours to even stay in existence. I feel our biggest failure as a nation has been our lack of real education and prevention. Again, unlike cancer or other chronic diseases, HIV/AIDS is preventable. We need to erase the stigma, educate everyone and 'mainstream' the disease to be a part of all normal medical check-ups and blood work.

(FFL) In closing, short of a cure for AIDS what can you say about what lies in the future of care and support for the men, women and children who live with HIV?

(Steve) There is every reason to believe that people infected with HIV can live normal fruitful lives. The new medications are improving almost daily which make it easier than ever to be adherent to the prescribed regimens. While a cure is obviously the best scenario, early detection is the next most important factor. The earlier a diagnosis can be made, the better one's chances of preventing the progression to AIDS. This can be achieved through education and the mainstreaming of the disease.

(FFL) The legacy of a man is what people will remember about him. What do you want folks to remember most about you?

(Steve) I guess that I cared and tried to make a difference.

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