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U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services visits AFC to discuss Open Enrollment

November 8, 2021

By Bailey Williams CHICAGO  -- Today, AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) was thrilled to host a private roundtable discussion about open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, Rep. Lauren Underwood of Naperville, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Ngozi...
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Davon Lawrence, AFC’s new Director of Prevention Capacity Building, brings a passion for service to AFC

October 13, 2021

By Ella Shapiro   Davon Lawrence ’s passion for service was inspired by his mother. Raised in New Jersey, Davon grew up watching his mother work for the Salvation Army as an Intake Counselor. He saw the way that his community improved through the work she and her colleagues did by caring for others. From a...
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Illinois residents share experiences, ideas to improve the state’s Medicaid program

October 12, 2021

By Bailey Williams For more than 50 years,  Illinois Medicaid  has offered millions of  residents access to health insurance for free or reduced rates. Illinois Medicaid is the largest health insurer in the state, providing coverage to about 25 percent of the state’s residents including people living with HIV, working families,...
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Dear God, I'm Here

October 4, 2021

By Timothy S. Jackson October 3 marks 12 years of living with HIV for AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC)'s Director of Government Relations. A Black man. A Black gay man. A Black gay man living with HIV. I am all of those and greater than the sum of the parts. My intersecting identities. The things that make me who I am and who I want to be. The identities...
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Chris chooses to “option up” at AIDS Run & Walk Chicago

September 30, 2021

By Ella Shapiro One day in 2014, Chris Pazdernik  was taking a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) train when they noticed an ad for that year’s AIDS Run & Walk Chicago fundraising event. Five years prior, Chris had tested positive for HIV. At the time, they were left with a lot of insecurities. They didn’t know what kind...
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AFC celebrates the “Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act” Becoming Law

August 20, 2021

On August 20, 2021 Governor JB Pritzker signed the Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act, which creates age-appropriate learning standards for public schools that decide to teach comprehensive personal health and safety education (grades K-5) and comprehensive sexual health education (grades 6-12).   “AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) thanks Governor Pritzker for signing...
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AFC’s Learning Circle Collaborative awards $72,000 to strengthen eight POC organizations

August 19, 2021

Today, AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) is excited to  announce the fourth cohort of the Learning Circle Collaborative (LLC) awardees inducted into the capacity building and technical assistance program (CBA). Grant funds will be used to support organizational infrastructure, leadership development, systemic capacity building and the delivery of culturally responsive community...
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Ryan White case manager stops opioid overdose minutes after receiving training from AFC

August 1, 2021

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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AFC mourns the passing of Ed Negron

July 26, 2021

A IDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) mourns the passing of Ed Negron who was a former staff member, photographer and fierce advocate for the Puerto Rican community, chairing the  first Latino/a /x LGBT Pride picnic in 2006. He supported the health and wellness of  people who use drugs and  consistently championed the LGBTQ+ community, particularly the bisexual+...
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Remembering Debra La Joyce Thornton: Longtime housing advocate, woman of faith and mother

July 26, 2021

By Bailey Williams Longtime housing advocate Debra La Joyce Thornton, age 64,  passed away Thursday, July 1. Debra is survived by her mother, four children and three grandchildren she loved dearly.  Described by many as  extremely hardworking and dedicated, Debra spent the last two decades helping hundreds...
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