Dish-Houston

The Center for AIDS, a Houston organization that has provided life-saving treatment information to people living with HIV/AIDS, caregivers and medical providers for the past 17 years merged with Legacy Community Health Services as of April 1, 2012. The Center for AIDS’s information and advocacy programs and publications will be integrated into Legacy’s programs and services, allowing them to reach a greater number of people while minimizing costs.

“In the Spring of 2011, our board began a strategic planning process to develop long range goals for the agency,” said Paul Simmons, Executive Director of The Center for AIDS. “The big question was ‘how can we serve a larger number of people at less cost?’ and the answer was ‘partner with another agency.’”

The Center for AIDS was founded in 1995 by L. Joel Martinez, Michael Peranteau, and Chris Kerr as a resource for information about the latest HIV treatment options, clinical trials and opportunistic infections common among people living with AIDS. Within two years, The CFA opened a storefront in Montrose within close proximity to Houston’s AIDS Service organizations.

“In the late 80s and early 90s, finding information about treatment options for HIV/AIDs could be quite difficult,” said Katy Caldwell. “Today people get their information from the Internet, but back then you had to go to a clinic to get flyers and brochures or you had to visit a library to research academic and medical journals. The Center for AIDS filled a void and made it much easier to find the latest treatment information.”

Throughout the years, The CFA has hosted lectures and community forums, as well as provided one-on-one education to people living with HIV/AIDS, caregivers and medical providers. The CFA has also established several highly regarded publications including Research Initiative/Treatment Action! (RITA!) and HIV Treatment ALERTS! For the past 9 years, The CFA facilitated Project LEAP, the most comprehensive advocacy training program in the nation for HIV positive individuals.

While the board of directors and a large number of generous volunteers are essential to the success of The CFA, the business operations are managed by three employees who end up serving many roles including IT support, volunteer coordinator, bookkeeper, fundraiser, and maintenance as well as HIV/AIDS educators. In addition to Executive Director Paul Simmons, the 3-person staff includes Gayle Alstot, Manager of Operations and Danielle Houston, Director of Education. All three will be joining the staff of Legacy Community Health Services as of April 1, 2012.

“So much has changed since we started The CFA,” said Simmons. “The demographics of the epidemic have changed, the mechanisms of how we receive information have changed and treatment options have dramatically changed with access to more and more medications.”

Merging with Legacy is one more change in this ever-evolving epidemic.

Legacy Community Health Services is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and the largest Federally Qualified Health Center in Houston. From five clinics, Legacy provides comprehensive, primary healthcare services to all Houstonians in a culturally sensitive, judgment-free and confidential environment. Legacy specializes in HIV/AIDS testing and treatment. Generous financial support from individuals, businesses and charitable foundations allows Legacy to provide no-cost or low-cost healthcare services to nearly 45,000 men, women and children each year. Legacy is a United Way affiliate agency. www.legacycommunityhealth.org