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News: Chicago

31 organizations awarded $7.35 million to provide HIV care to Chicagoland area

December 10, 2019

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) has awarded 31 organizations a combined $7.35 million to connect thousands of people in the Chicagoland area living with HIV and AIDS to health care, housing services, transportation and other supportive services. These organizations were selected based on a spectrum of criteria, including their ability to serve Chicagoans most impacted by HIV: Black and Latino/Latinx...
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In the face of adversity, this mom's resilience pushed her through

December 3, 2019

By Raven Feagins “I used to wonder, like, ‘What am I here for? What is my purpose in life?’ And I have a purpose now,” said Valerie Linzy, an upbeat, big-hearted mother of six. “There are some young ladies who are going to come behind me from doing sex work that are going to come up HIV-positive that are going to need to know how to live … Here I am...
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Mental wellness and housing stability: a delicate balance

November 26, 2019

By Raven Feagins Bruce Pelletier was born and raised on Chicago’s Northwest side in the Old Irving Park neighborhood. His Chicago roots are noticeable not only because of his accent. He also has that outgoing, Midwestern charm that you would expect from any life-long resident of the city. Bruce has had his share of obstacles and challenges in life, but one of the biggest struggles...
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[VIDEO] Meet this chocolatier and prepare to satiate your taste buds at World of Chocolate

November 22, 2019

World of Chocolate 2019 is in just a few days! Check out our interview with Journey Shannon of  Noir d'Ébène Chocolat et Patisserie ,  who is one of 20 amazing chocolatiers who will be featured on Thursday, Dec. 5 at Revel Fulton Market.  Click here   to buy your tickets and get ready to indulge at our premiere World AIDS Day event!...
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A partnership to help expecting parents living with HIV evolves in 2020

November 18, 2019

Thirteen years ago, the Pediatric AIDS Chicago Prevention Initiative (PACPI) and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) joined forces to share an office and administrative support while collaborating on projects that prioritize pregnant people living with HIV. The partnership also aimed to eliminate vertical HIV transmission, which means transmission of the virus from parent to child. At the end...
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Over 2,000 HIV advocates “lived true” and raised $440K (and rising) at AIDS Run & Walk Chicago

October 11, 2019

“We want to make sure that the HIV epidemic is no longer able to sustain itself by achieving both HIV prevention and access to care goals,” said AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) President/CEO John Peller in his opening remarks to a crowd of over 2,000 runners, rollers, walkers and volunteers. “We don’t make these advancements toward getting to zero on our own -- we do...
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Finding his purpose through advocacy and community

September 25, 2019

By Raven Feagins One night in 1991, 23-year-old Chancelor Cunningham woke up unable to breathe. He had been previously diagnosed with bronchitis, but this time he was admitted into the former Michael Reese Hospital in Bronzeville for an extended stay. It turned out he had pneumonia. Chancelor’s mom stayed by his side, even sometimes staying the night, and continuously advocated for...
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Inspiring action through community

September 24, 2019

To the backdrop of Fahrenheit Chicago , Serette  B. King ( Zoliy Miyake-Mugler) and Terry Dudley from Howard Brown Health and David Dodd from Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus share what inspiring action means to them, and how their work helps inspire action within Chicago’s LGBTQ+ and HIV communities.  On Saturday, Oct. 5, HIV advocates from across Chicago will gather...
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Public Health Boot Camp accelerates learning for emerging health pros

September 6, 2019

This summer, emerging public health professionals came together to get an accelerated, hands-on training at the Public Health Boot Camp (PHBC). Co-sponsored by the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) and the Institute of Public Health and Medicine (IPHAM) at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, the program is designed to prepare HIV/AIDS public health leaders through a one-week...
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City of Chicago receives $1.8 million in new donations for Flexible Housing Pool

August 26, 2019

The City of Chicago announced on Thursday, Aug. 22, the expansion of the Chicago and Cook County Flexible Housing Pool (FHP) with a total of more than $1.8 million in new investments, including the first private investments in the program. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and Advocate Aurora Health are investing a combined $1.5 million over the next three years to support the City and its...
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