AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, Inc.

Causes: AIDS, Health, Hot Lines & Crisis Intervention, Mental Health, Public Health

Mission: Founded in 1983, AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, Inc. (AAC), is New England’s first and largest AIDS service organization. AAC’s mission is to stop the epidemic and related health inequities by eliminating new infections, maximizing healthier outcomes of those infected and at risk, and attacking the root causes of HIV/AIDS. AAC accomplishes this mission by providing services for men, women, and children living with AIDS and HIV; educating the public and health professionals about how to prevent HIV transmission in accordance with harm reduction principles; and advocating for fair and effective AIDS policy at the city, state, and federal levels. AAC also provides targeted outreach to those most vulnerable to HIV infection. In 2010, AAC merged with Cambridge Cares About AIDS to more efficiently deliver AIDS services in the Greater Boston area and expand its capacity for social justice work aimed at reducing the disparities among those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. AAC runs the only statewide AIDS/STD Hotline (1-800-235-2331) and Hepatitis Hotline (1-888-443-4372). All Hotlines offer multilingual support. Free and confidential rapid HIV testing and counseling, and clean needle exchange is also available.

Programs: Client services - the client services division provides and links a diverse client population with a broad continuum of services. Services range from direct assistance with basic needs to support, information and referral. Programs are developed under the principle that all people living with hiv and those affected by hiv are entitled to compassionate, respectful, consistent and timely services, which address their diverse and complicated needs. The committee works to help people with hiv and aids and members of their support networks obtain the highest quality social and medical services to which they are entitled and to maintain the highest quality of life possible.

prevention, education and policy - the prevention, education and policy division provides education and prevention programs to communities and advocacy on behalf of people living with hiv and aids.

community grants - the committee makes grants to community-based organizations, in boston and throughout eastern massachusetts, to support hiv prevention work and help those at highest risk for hiv infection.