By Nilah Foster
Even far far away
from home I still
am turning my head
at all times
double checking corners
I’ve already swept
I am convinced my
dad knows a third
of the city-
Or my moms side will spot
me coincidentally
who will my face be familiar to?
I am too paranoid
to be outside
with her...
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By Bailey Williams
When the new coronavirus (COVID-19) sent most AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) staff home to work remotely, many members of our finance and contracts team continued to come to the office. A lot of the work this team does cannot be done remotely. Though this work often happens behind the scenes, it is essential to the many services AFC provides to help people living with HIV...
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By Bailey Williams
I spent most mornings in the summer of 2016 running before work. I’d run a neighborhood route, often in the streets when cars were few, the sun was rising, and nothing but birds and insects could be heard. I was in the best shape of my life and had finally gotten down to easily running 7-minute miles. When the annual AIDS Run & Walk Chicago came around...
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After almost a decade of leading AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC)’s case management system, Bashirat Olayanju has been promoted to a new role on AFC’s Senior Leadership Team: Vice President of Care.
“I am super excited and honored to be part of a dedicated team tasked with strategically leading the organization to a place of strength,” said Bashirat. “AFC’s...
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By Bailey Williams
After receiving an eviction letter, a man in emotional distress called the HIV Resource Coordination HUB. The phone line led by AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) and Center on Halsted is dedicated to providing information and resources related to HIV. By the time Oscar Solis, a Rapid Responder for the HUB at Center on Halsted, answered his call, the man was extremely upset,...
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AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) and Center for Housing and Health (CHH) was recently made aware of a data security incident impacting Blackbaud, the company that provides database systems to many nonprofits throughout the country, including AFC and CHH. AFC Housing Assistance was also impacted by this incident. We take transparency, protection and proper use of your company’s information...
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By Bailey Williams
For the past three years, Mayra Olivares has helped people living with HIV and AIDS achieve better health outcomes. As a Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program case manager at Erie Family Health Centers, Mayra makes sure her clients receive needed medication, medical appointments and referrals for vital services like housing. Prior to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Mayra...
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Big dyke Energy
By Onyx Appleberry
always been just a dyke
when i was born? baby dyke
as a kid? dyke in training
as an adult? prime dyke
& when i’m dead i’ll be dusty dyke
hopefully legend dyke
i’m so dyke the dutch accidentally invented me
had to reinvent when they realized i don’t stop
floods, but start them
so dyke that i...
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The U.S. Senate Republicans’ HEALS Act ignores devastating impact of COVID-19 in Illinois and across the country. Congress and the Trump Administration must do better and fast!
Congress and the Trump Administration must come to an agreement now on enacting into law a COVID-19 relief package that is robust, equitable and utilizes the U.S. House Democrats’ HEROES Act as...
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By Ashley Brown
July is Minority Mental Health Month! Created in 2008, the Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is observed each July to bring awareness to the distinct challenges faced by marginalized groups in accessing resources and care for mental illness. It is named in honor of Bebe Moore Campbell , an American author, journalist and teacher who advocated...
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