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Loud, proud and HIV+

November 17, 2016

Joseph Varisco, Program Coordinator for Art AIDS America Chicago , writes about the first exhibition to explore how the AIDS crisis forever changed American art Four years ago, I was diagnosed HIV+. Since that time, I have been working across communities with one vital directive: create productive, powerful and engaging interactions. As a performing arts curator and producer, I use...
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In conversation: AFC's housing leadership shifts in a promising moment for housing and health care

November 16, 2016

At the end of September, Arturo Bendixen retired from his role as the executive director of the Center for Housing and Health, a supporting organization for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago that has focused on innovative housing models to shift the landscape of supportive housing in Chicago and across the U.S. Art worked at AFC and the Center for a combined 13 years. Taking his role as the Center’s...
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HIV and mass incarceration: How Black lives are impacted

November 3, 2016

by Raven Feagins and Cotrell Loftin The Black Lives Matter Series: Race, Politics and Restorative Justice Conference on Oct. 6 explored the relationship between mass incarceration, racial equity and social justice in the criminal justice system. Raven Feagins and Cotrell Loftin attended this conference to investigate the challenges and opportunities of transitioning from incarceration to...
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AFC releases position statement on gun violence and community violence

October 31, 2016

The mission of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) is to mobilize communities to create equity and justice for people living with and vulnerable to HIV and related chronic diseases. Founded in 1985 by community activists and physicians, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago is a local and national leader in HIV/AIDS policy, as well as prevention, care and housing. In the U.S., HIV and community...
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These runners and walkers 'grammed for the cause - and won!

October 14, 2016

by Cotrell Loftin AIDS Run & Walk Chicago was back on Saturday, Oct. 1, but we’re still feeling the excitement! In the week leading up to the event, we held an Instagram challenge that received many great entries. Congratulations to the daily winners and the grand prize winner @Ricanflava who won a ticket to World of Chocolate! See the winning posts below and stay tuned...
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Empowerment En Español

October 14, 2016

What do you do when you’re 15 years old and your good friend comes out to you as HIV-positive? Alfredo Flores (now 21) knows how it feels. After he came out as gay in his teens, Flores joined Mpowerment , an HIV prevention program for young gay and bisexual men. Mpowerment runs programs across Chicago to help people stand up to the stigma around HIV. “When I first...
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More than $471K raised to help HIV+ Chicagoans thrive at AIDS Run & Walk Chicago

October 3, 2016

Heavy rain and high winds didn’t stop thousands of Chicagoans from taking a stand against health inequity and supporting the HIV community at AIDS Run & Walk Chicago on Saturday, Oct. 1, at Soldier Field. “Together, we’re building momentum to not just provide services, but to provide equity and justice for people living with and vulnerable to HIV and related...
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AFC provides support, guidance on changes to Medicaid in IL

September 29, 2016

AFC has submitted  comments  to the state of Illinois on their proposed 1115 Medicaid Waiver. The federal government allows states to submit these waivers that, if approved, allow states to experiment with the Medicaid program in their state to try things not normally allowed under federal law. Through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) more people living with and vulnerable to HIV...
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Rep. Robin Kelly recognizes National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

September 26, 2016

by U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) Today, on National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, we ponder the significance of HIV and AIDS as an American and international reality. 35 years have passed since our country initially confronted the biological challenges of this epidemic. We still grapple — oftentimes clumsily — with stigma and our social response, while contending...
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Seven reasons to volunteer at AIDS Run & Walk Chicago

September 20, 2016

Events like AIDS Run & Walk Chicago don't come together by themselves; they happen because talented volunteers come together and make it happen! Do you have what it takes to be a volunteer for this year's event on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Soldier Field? Click here to learn more. Still on the fence? Read seven reasons other volunteers come back year after year to support the HIV...
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