by Raven Feagins
Having a stable place to live can determine our health , including our vulnerability to HIV. This is especially true for young people who already account for 22% of new HIV diagnoses in the US. In Chicago , an estimated 15,000 youth experience homelessness each year and of those young people, about 3,000 identify as LGBTQ.
Some of the top needs of LGBTQ youth...
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The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) is proud to announce the 12 organizations selected to receive non-medical case management funding to serve people living with HIV throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. Organizations will be receiving funding through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program, which distributes $2.3 billion nationwide to fund services specifically for people living with HIV. This funding...
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By Raven Feagins
When the weather is nice, Donald King bikes over to Lake Michigan to go fishing. It brings him back to memories of his childhood in New Orleans and spending time with his mother before she passed away. His charming smile and laid-back personality could fool anyone into thinking that he has lived an easygoing life, but he’s had an arduous journey that has led him to...
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By Raven Feagins
Dec. 13, 2017 was a cold night on the west side of Chicago, but just over 30 community members from across the city made the trip to gather at Malcom X College for the first Getting to Zero Illinois town hall . Getting to Zero is a state-wide initiative that will end the HIV epidemic in Illinois by implementing a statewide plan that is informed by communities most affected...
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Are you interested in creating equity and justice for people living with and vulnerable to HIV and related chronic diseases? If the answer is yes, we have just the volunteer opportunity for you!
The AIDS Foundation of Chicago is seeking candidates for board membership. Please apply by Wednesday, Feb. 28.
We’re looking for individuals who are passionate about creating...
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By Raven Feagins
Until the age of 45, Latesha never had a place of her own. For years, she relied on friends and acquaintances to have a safe place to sleep at night, but, when she wasn’t lucky enough to find someone to stay with, she resorted to sleeping on the streets of Chicago.
“I was always here, here, here and here. Each time there were setbacks after setbacks,”...
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By Raven Feagins
Veronica* is the loving matriarch of her Chicago-area family. When she’s not taking care of two of her grandchildren, her mom and her aunt, she works as a talented seamstress. She’s open with her family about most things - except her own health status.
Veronica is living with HIV and has for the past 20 years. Most of her family, except her husband, don’t...
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By Raven Feagins
Imagine a world where the people from communities most affected by HIV are leading the HIV workforce to end the epidemic. That’s the world Anthony Betori, Youth Program Manager at Chicago House and Social Service Agency, is striving to create with their new Community Health Apprenticeship program (CHAP). This 8-week training helps committed young people get their...
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People who are HIV-negative and vulnerable to HIV infection can take a daily medication called Truvada to help prevent HIV. It’s recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Chicago and Illinois Departments of Public Health.
If you need health insurance, you can shop for and choose a plan on the health insurance marketplace (must be before Friday,...
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This post is an excerpt from John-Manual Andriote’s recently published book Stonewall Strong: Gay Men’s Heroic Fight for Resilience, Good Health, and a Strong Community .
The walls of Jim Pickett’s office at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago display the set of posters created for a new campaign aimed at promoting PrEP use by the gay men and women, including transgender...
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