“All told, more than 100,000 New York men, women, and children have died of AIDS, and the New York City AIDS Memorial is built in their names. It reminds us, too, as all memorials do, of how much has already been forgotten.”
—New York Magazine
I Stop Somewhere Waiting For You, the Memorial’s newly launched bench dedication program, invites you to remember a friend, a family member, a loved one, a mentor, or a hero, or honor an activist, organization, ally, or noteworthy community member.
With its name taken from the final lines of Walt Whitman’s Song of Myself, engraved on the granite pavers of the New York City AIDS Memorial, designed by Jenny Holzer, this program strives for the greatest possible representation of the city’s diverse communities while acknowledging that persistent stigma and lack of access to healthcare will prevent the disease’s true toll from ever being known.
The New York City AIDS Memorial is a place of respite and reflection that honors the more than 120,000 New Yorkers who have died of AIDS. The act of naming, however, remains essential both to collective mourning and to our mission of celebrating the memory of those lost.
Please see the gallery below for illustrations of bench dedication plaques.
About the Program:
As a part of your bench adoption, we will install a 2.75-inch by 5.5-inch stainless steel plaque (please see example illustrations above) on one of the park’s 49 benches, engraved with a personal message of up to 120 characters.
Benches may be adopted for $5,000 for five (5) years.
Full payment must be received before you can reserve a bench.
In June 2024, we will honor the first commemorations with a remembrance event which can include storytelling, a vigil, or performances, and an extensive social media program with photos and stories for each honored name.
To start the dedication process, download our dedication form below. You may also contact the New York City AIDS Memorial with any questions.
FAQs
Where do the funds go?
As we are a 501(c)(3) nonproft organization, contributions are fully tax-deductible and will support the ongoing maintenance of the New York City AIDS Memorial. Funds will additionally help to support our free, public, community-centered, cultural, and educational programs. Click here to learn more about the Memorial and our programs!
Who can adopt a bench?
Bench adoptions can be made by individuals, foundations, non-profit organizations, or corporations and multiple individual donors may contribute to adopting a bench through an honorary or memorial fund. We have set aside several benches for the use of New York City-based community partners. If this applies to you, please reach out to us for more information.
Can I choose which bench to adopt?
The New York City AIDS Memorial Park at St. Vincent’s Triangle is a 0.38-acre, urban park in Greenwich Village with a limited number of benches. The majority are cited within the park, though several look directly over the Memorial. We are happy to work with you to select a specific bench though we cannot promise that the exact bench you desire will be available. Full payment must be received before you can reserve a bench.
Can a bench be adopted for more than five years?
If you would like a customized duration of your adoption, we can offer each additional year beyond the first five (5) years at $1,000 per year. All dedications will be renewable after the first five (5) years. Please contact the New York City AIDS Memorial to arrange a longer-term dedication.
Can I choose my own font or design?
All plaques will be engraved using the font Replica Pro. Please download the donation form for an example. Plaques are limited to 120 characters (one upper or lowercase letter per box, 30 boxes per line, and a total of four lines). All dedications will be centered by default. Please note that we cannot display graphics or logos on plaques.
Can I “crowdsource” to fundraise?
Yes! You can also easily join with friends, family, or your community using our online peer-to-peer fundraising tools available via this link. On this page, just click the “I Want To Fundraise For This” button, found on the right side of the page below the donation amounts to create an account and begin the process.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Donations to the Bench Dedication program can be paid via check, wire transfer, ACH transfer, or by all major credit cards. Card payments will include processing fees. Please reach out to us with any questions related to payment options.
What about multiple payments?
A donation can be made in multiple payments within twelve months by an individual or group of donors. Should the total amount not be reached within one (1) year, all contributions will be designated to support the general fund of the New York City AIDS Memorial. No portions of any donations are refundable.
Is there a deadline to make a dedication?
To be included in the first round of dedications, we ask that your payment and donation form be received by March 15, 2024. We plan to install the first round of dedication plaques in advance of a remembrance event in June 2024. Donations received after this deadline will be included in future installations.
“May this beautiful memorial become a place for memory, for healing, for education, and for unity in our continuing effort to achieve a world without AIDS.”
—Sir Elton John
