AIDS Foundation of Chicago

The HIV Resource Coordination HUB (the HUB) - Chicago’s one-stop shop for comprehensive healthcare, regardless of HIV status - celebrated its 5th birthday last month! Since launching in February 2020, the HUB has provided comprehensive information, direct connections to HIV and housing services, and emergency financial assistance to over 1,300 individuals living with and vulnerable to HIV. Over $200k has been disbursed to prevent homelessness or evictions. In the last year, HUB staff provided over 6,000 customer service interactions to clients to help them connect or stay connected to health care. The HUB is a community partnership between AIDS Foundation Chicago and the Center on Halsted, funded by the Chicago Department of Public Health. https://lnkd.in/gt_QD8ge

The Getting to Zero Illinois Plan 2.0 outlines three pathways we can follow to end the HIV epidemic by 2030. ?Pathway One is focused on improving quality of life for people living with and vulnerable to HIV. #gtzIL2030 ? ? “We heard loud and clear from people living with HIV that what mattered to them was their quality of life. A roof over your head, a job that pays a thriving wage, mental well-being and a life free of stigma and discrimination. These are the building blocks of ending the HIV epidemic, and for that reason, the quality of life pathway leads the Getting to Zero Illinois plan.” - Kim L. Hunt, MUPP, MPP, Vice President, Special Projects and Innovation, Policy & Advocacy; Executive Director, Pride Action Tank ? ? Swipe through to learn more about pathway one and explore the full plan at gtzillinois.hiv. #hivaids #healthequity #lgbtq #endhomelessness #housingishealthcare

Join GTZ on Wednesday, March 12 at noon for our next dynamic Getting to Zero Illinois Community Conversation as we explore the recently released "State of Aging with HIV" national report and discuss how we can better support older people living with or vulnerable to HIV on our journey towards Zero! Register here: tinyurl.com/GTZCCMarch2025

Last week, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced it would no longer collect data on transgender people - including the number of trans people who are newly diagnosed with HIV. The exclusion of marginalized groups, particularly transgender individuals, from health data collection is a grave setback. This trend, driven by transphobia and stigma, jeopardizes decades of progress in HIV prevention and healthcare equity. ? ? Immediate action is necessary to reinstate inclusive data practices or find workarounds, ensuring equitable care and addressing health disparities. We urge health partners to commit to evidence-based, inclusive practices that prioritize the well-being of marginalized populations.? Cynthia Tucker, Dr. P.H. ? Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gx38XQsD.

AIDS Foundation Chicago, Equality Illinois, Human Rights Campaign- Chicago, and Pride Action Tank present the Illinois Congressional Delegation LGBTQ+ & HIV Stakeholder Meeting this Friday, March 7th from 8:30 - 9:30 AM. Join us as we co-create a space for honest dialogue between Members of Congress from the Illinois delegation and their constituents about how we can support each other and hold the Trump administration and the 119th Congress accountable. RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gfyJFitA

Today is HIV is Not A Crime Awareness Day! ? ? In 2021, Illinois became the second state in the nation to fully repeal its outdated and harmful HIV criminalization law – a huge victory led by advocates and people living with HIV. ? ? We’ve made history by ending HIV criminalization in Illinois, but the fight for justice isn’t over. People living with HIV still face stigma, discrimination, and health inequities. ? ? Get involved in the fight: https://p2a.co/iiojqgl ? #HIVisNotaCrime #hivaids #lgbtq #healthequity #plwh #gtzIL2030?

It’s Advocacy Day! We’ve gathered in Chicago and Springfield to take action on policies that support health equity, racial justice, and affordable housing. Every voice matters, and you can be part of the fight too. Visit p2a.co/actioncenter. Visiting the action center takes little effort, but it makes a big impact – the cumulative impact of hundreds of emails to elected officials has helped us achieve success, mounting enough pressure to get legislators to act, introducing bills and passing them, to create a better world for people living with or experiencing HIV, chronic conditions, and homelessness.???

AFC gathered with protestors in Normal, IL today to say NO to proposed cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other essential services - cuts that will hurt the most vulnerable people in our communities, including people living with HIV and other chronic conditions, people experiencing poverty, and people who already struggle to access health care.? ? @replahood, these programs don’t just save money—they save lives. ? ? #medicaid #SNAP #savefunding #hiv #hivaids #congress

We are so grateful to Lori Kaufman and her dedication to HIV/AIDS advocacy. She has been involved with AFC from the start and joined the board in 1989! Read more about her incredible accomplishments: https://lnkd.in/gNNwxyDF

#ICYMI: WE'RE SUING TRUMP. Check us out in the news! ? ? On February 19, AFC sued the Trump administration alongside the National Urban League and National Fair Housing Alliance to block Trump’s executive orders banning federal funding from supporting work related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, along with services to transgender individuals. We’re grateful to our pro bono lawyers at Lambda Legal and NAACP Legal Defense Fund for their incredible representation.? ? Stay tuned.