LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Neither HIV nor AIDS carry the same stigma that the diseases once did. However, people are still receiving diagnoses, which sometimes prove fatal. Workers are The House of Ruth, in Louisville, understand the complexities of the diseases better than almost anyone.

Rhonda Johnson sought out the group when she needed help.

“I walk with my head up because I worked on my inner spirit, and I worked on my inner-being, you know, so I can't stop the world and I don't try,"Johnson said. 

She's bright, vibrant but also 100 p% up-front about what life has been like for her.

“I was an alcoholic, and used drugs and at that time, I got raped and through the rape, I transmitted the HIV," Johnson said. 

She learned about her diagnosis while serving a prison sentence for a drug charge in the early 90's. She admits that wasn't her turning point. She says that she continued on a personal path of destruction until she finally had enough.

“A lot of times I didn't care if I made it or not but God seen fit to save me and you know I’m glad he did," Johnson said. 

When she was ready to put in the work, things starting falling in place. She started going to church, and it led her to Glade House, which is run by The House of Ruth. The nonprofit offers housing and support for people living with HIV or AIDS.

“The Glade House taught me how to be comfortable with me, you know. And, coming to the groups and meeting different people you know and expressing myself to the fullest, you know. Because I don't really have shame it allowed all the shame and guilt and remorse from whatever happened to me it was like debris it left," Johnson said. 

Rhonda’s been sober for a little over two years now. Her success is celebrated by every staff member.

The agency was founded in 1992 by eight longtime friends who were also nuns. They wanted to meet the needs of women and children with HIV or AIDS. Through the years their services have expanded, but there are still challenges.

“If you’re struggling with a mental health diagnosis and a substance use disorder and you're living in poverty struggling to find or keep housing then focusing on HIV treatment is that isn't where your mind is you are focused on surviving so our goal is help people get their basic needs met so that they can be in a position to pursue medical treatment and adhere to that regimen," Executive Director Lisa Sutton said. 

Since her time at Glade House, Rhonda has moved into her own place. She says she's learned to carry an inner peace, from a group of people she met when she needed them the most.

"If it wasn't for the Glade House, I would be not as strong minded, I would not be as responsible you know I wouldn't have stayed grounded in my recovery and so for all that stuff I’m just so forever grateful," Johnson said. 

To learn more about The House of Ruth click here.