AIDS Groups Protest City-Planned Cuts to HIV/AIDS Care in Chicago

Nonprofit organizations team together to halt cuts to HIV primary care by the Department of Health; AHF, South Side Help Center, and CALOR to also give testimony at HIV Planning Committee Emergency Meeting

Friday, March 13, 9:30 am – 11:30 a.m.

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and its Chicago area affiliate organizations the South Side Help Center (SSHC) and CALOR will team to host a street protest and give testimony before the Chicago Department of Health’s HIV Planning Committee at an emergency public meeting on Friday, March 13, to oppose and halt planned grant funding cuts. The organizations’ actions are part of an effort to restore funding of AHF's HIV Primary Care Services and SSHC's Early Intervention Services (EIS), as well as to encourage the HIV Planning Committee to allocate leftover funds into these service categories.

What:	Street PROTEST & Committee TESTIMONY to Block Cuts to HIV Care, hosted by AHF, South Side Help Center, and CALOR
When:	Friday, March 13, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Where:	1340 S. Damen, Chicago, IL 60608
Who:	HIV Planning Committee Emergency Meeting testimony given by:
	Vanessa Smith, Executive Director, South Side Help Center Omar N. López, Executive Director, CALOR Kendall Moore, AHF Associate Director of Legal Affairs & Community Engagement
PROTEST:	20+ advocates and mobilizers from AHF, SSHC, and CALOR will take to the street at the same time the HIV Planning Committee is meeting with placards, chants, etc.

Throughout Fiscal Years 2021-2026, AHF, South Side Health Center and CALOR received $2.4 million in grants from the Chicago Department of Public Health to support HIV-related services in Chicago, or roughly $480,000/annually. However, the Chicago Department of Public Health has declined continuation of AHF/SSHC funding for all HIV Primary Care and Early Intervention Services funding in this new grant cycle. These critical programs support some of Chicago's most underserved communities.