by Briana Shields
Briana Shields is a former graphic design intern and current volunteer for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
I marched in the Women’s March on Chicago for the generations of girls of color to come. Young women need to see that the world is big and full of variety. Now, we’re needed more than ever.
When you’re a young woman of color,...
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by Raven Feagins
Pharoh Swain is a soft-spoken, yet passionate young person from Chicago's West Side. I met with this 22-year-old for the first time in the lobby of Center on Halsted, where he formerly worked as an intern during the summer. Now, Swain currently serves as president of the new All Chicago Youth Advisory Council, which seeks to guide organizations to better understand...
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Almost a year ago, AFC readers met Kasey White, an energetic advocate for youth experiencing homelessness in Chicago. Ahead of this year’s youth housing project fundraiser Out in the Open Sleep-In , which White has supported since its first iteration in 2015, we wanted to check in with White to see what she’s been up to, and where she sees herself...
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For the AIDS Foundation of Chicago's Associate Board, a leadership group for people ages 21-35 who want to make an impact on health equity in Chicago, the word of the year for 2016 was IMPACT. Together, this group of young professionals from across Chicago amplified their work and lived into AFC's mission through a variety of efforts.
"My favorite aspects of being involved...
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Every Dec. 1 marks World AIDS Day, an annual opportunity for people to unite in the fight against HIV and show support for those living with and lost to HIV and AIDS-related illness. Many took to social media to voice their support and raise awareness. Check out World AIDS Day in seven posts from our friends and partners!
1. This World AIDS...
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Darren is 56 years old. He walks with the assistance of a walker – the toll that physical labor and illness has had on his wiry frame is obvious, but it does not dampen his energy. Behind his smile are years of hardships. Born and raised in the Chicago area, Darren was one of ten children. His parents divorced when he was three, after his sister was kidnapped walking home from school. As...
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Jeff Tomlinson is what you might call a “normal guy.” He was born and raised in rural Illinois; he has worked as a teacher in the U.S. and in other countries; he goes out and dates and volunteers. But he worries about things that some don’t have to worry about: as someone living with HIV who depends on vital, threatened programs like ADAP, he knows that his health care...
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Around 1,100 guests came together at Revel Fulton Market to celebrate the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s (AFC) 15th annual World of Chocolate gala on Thursday, Dec. 1. The evening raised $105,000 (net) to support the vital services AFC provides to thousands of Chicagoans each year, in addition to its work to make health equity and justice a reality in Illinois and...
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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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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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