Travel down memory lane with us as we look back at some key moments from 2024! This year we gathered community for celebration, hosted summits and workshops, and advocated with coalition partners in Chicago and Springfield. We could not have done any of this without your support, and we are excited to continue the fight next year.  

World of chocolate 

In February, we hosted our World of Chocolate fundraiser at Union Station! From chocolate delicacies to savory creations, runway-ready outfits and punchboard prizes, it was a night to remember.  With your support, we have raised over $216,000 to support the vital services AFC provides to thousands of Chicagoans each year.   

view the full album: https://flic.kr/p/2pxRTwW  
Bring Chicago Home 

AFC staff and volunteers went door knocking in February to talk to voters about affordable housing for the Bring Chicago Home campaign.  
Annual Meeting 

In March, we opened our office to the community to share our 2023 Annual Report. 2023 marked a year of tremendous growth for AFC as we entered year two of our Unifying for Impact strategic plan and Race Equity Action Plan. We are achieving new heights of viral suppression rates for our clients connected to care. We are housing more people than ever before, fighting alongside our partners to end homelessness in Chicago and beyond. ⁠ 

view the full album: https://flic.kr/p/2pFmJVU
Harm reduction in Springfield 

In April, members of AFC’s policy & advocacy team and harm reduction program joined the Illinois Harm Reduction & Recovery Coalition (IHRRC) and scores of advocates in Springfield in response to the lack of urgency around necessary policy solutions proven to decrease overdose deaths. 
Getting to Zero Illinois Plan 2.0 Launch 

In June, we launched Getting to Zero Illinois 2.0. We were proud to host Governor J.B. Pritzker for opening remarks, and other officials whose presence alongside all attendees signaled strong support for Getting to Zero. Together, we are committed to ending the HIV epidemic in Illinois by 2030.  
Public Health Bootcamp 

In July, AFC and Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine collaborated to host a Public Health Boot Camp with the goal to nurture emerging public health leaders and foment innovative solutions to systemic public health issues.  Dr. Cynthia Tucker, Senior VP of Community Partnerships & Special Projects at AFC, Tamika Foust, Director of Capacity Building & Workforce Development at AFC, Dr. Leah Neubauer of Northwestern University, Dr. Gregory Phillips of Northwestern University, and Riley Hause of Northwestern University organized the week-long learning experience. 

view the full album: https://flic.kr/p/2q6j5gM
Women’s Connection Summit of Hope 

Over the summer, AFC in partnership with the Illinois Department of Public Health, Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC) and Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), hosted the annual Women’s Connection Summit of Hope. This event provides critical support and resources for cis and transgender women recently released from the Illinois correctional system. ⁠ 

view the full album: https://flic.kr/p/2pXTSdQ
AIDS Run & Walk Chicago 

In October, over 2,000 runners, walkers, rollers, volunteers and supporters gathered at Soldier Field to rally behind AFC and our 30+ CommunityDirect partners. Together we raised $405,300 with $204,000 going back to our CommunityDirect partners.  
Pride Action Tank's De-siloing Aging Summit  

This fall, Pride Action Tank (PAT) hosted “De-siloing Aging, HIV and LGBTQ+ Services: A Summit on New Possibilities” at Columbia College Chicago. The summit featured leaders and community members across various sectors and centered older adults living with HIV with the goals of recognizing the lives and sacrifices of long-term survivors, generations of LGBTQ+ people who lived without the protections we currently have today in the state of Illinois and to increase the capacity of the service sector to better serve and recognize both the needs and the gifts of older adults who identify as LGBTQ+ and/or are living with HIV and their caregivers. 

view the full album: https://flic.kr/p/2qmTjT1
Chicago Marathon 

TEAM TO END AIDS (T2), the endurance-training charity team of AFC, completed the Chicago Marathon and raised over $400,000 for AFC’s vital programs and services.  

view the full album: https://flic.kr/p/2qnVGXi