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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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