Since it's inception in 1986 ActionAIDS has provided support to 3,500 people in the Philadelphia Metropolitan serving area affected by the HIV virus. Below is a list of our recent outstanding achievements:

ActionAIDS: 2003 in Review

In 2003, ActionAIDS continued growing to keep pace with the growing need for services. In spite of the economic downturn, we were able to continue adding new staff and diversifying our services to meet the changing needs of the community. In addition to the case management, housing, and buddy services we have always provided, we are providing mental health, employment, and other services to help people stabilize their lives, and to live longer and more fully.

• Casa Nueva Vida, housing for homeless people with HIV and AIDS, began construction in May of this year. When it is finished in May 2004, there will be 12 new homes in North Philadelphia for families and individuals living with HIV.
  
  
• The South Philadelphia Office opened in April. Along with the offices in North, West, and Center City Philadelphia, it gives more of the neighborhoods hardest hit by HIV access to services. The staff includes case managers, mental health therapists, housing counselors, and the agency’s education department.
  
  
• Prevention for Positives – The Centers for Disease Control awarded ActionAIDS a $625,000 two-year grant to start a new prevention program that enlists the help of people living with AIDS to stop the spread of HIV. The innovative program utilizes both a peer network of people with HIV and special prevention case managers who serve women at risk, prisoners, injection drug users, HIV positive pregnant women and transgender individuals.
  
  
• The Adolescent Program was expanded to include HIV-infected and -affected young people of ages 18 through 24, in collaboration with Children’s Hospital and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.
  
  
• The Mental Health Program received its accreditation from Community Behavioral Health late last year, and in 2003 increased its staff to three full-time therapists and one part-time psychiatrist.
  
  
• Services in Community-Based Health Clinics – ActionAIDS continues to place more case managers in the community. This year, we provided services at five new sites: City Health Centers 2, 5, 6, and 9, as well as Graduate Hospital. We now provide case management at 28 locations, including community clinics, prisons, and the four ActionAIDS offices.
  
  
• Jobs for Clients, Help for the Health Department – Faced with the need do more with less, City Health Department officials proposed a new idea: hire clients from ActionAIDS’ Positive Action employment program to assist Insurance Counselors in enrolling eligible patients for state-funded Medical Assistance programs. It’s a win-win situation: the city saves money on healthcare and 12 clients who needed jobs now have a chance to establish or build on a work record.

An overview of services provided in 2003: Over 3,500 individuals received services: 1,800 adults with HIV received case management, 120 families (with over 500 individuals) received family services, 500 received housing counseling, 100 received mental health services, 115 received return-to-work/literacy services, 120 received prevention case management, 800 received alternative and complementary therapy services, 250 received buddy support, and 300 participated in support groups.