Once upon a time in the state of

Once upon a time in the state of Connecticut, a group of concerned citizens joined together to form a coalition of AIDS housing providers. Their vision was that all people living with HIV/AIDS would have appropriate housing and a full range of services necessary to live their lives in dignity.

CARC’s five founding members, Center City Churches - Peter's Retreat Leeway, Inc. Liberty Community Services Stewart B. Mc. Kinney Foundation St. Luke's Life. Works, worked together to support people living with HIV/AIDS in their communities.

In the years that followed CARC’s membership has grown to 24 member agencies providing quality housing and care. AIDS Project Greater Danbury Alliance for Living BGHS – Valley Mental Health Center Catholic Family Services Center City Churches - Peter’s Retreat Christian Activities Council - Zezzo House Chrysalis Center Columbus House CRT - Mc. Kinney Shelter Helping Hand Center HRA of New Britain Immaculate Conception Shelter & Housing Independence Northwest Leeway Liberty Community Services Mercy Housing & Shelter Mid-Fairfield AIDS Project New Haven Home Recovery New Opportunities/Shelter NOW Omega House Prospect House St. Luke’s Life. Works/ Stewart B. Mc. Kinney Foundation St. Philip House Tabor House I & II

In 1991 CARC developed the first Standards of Care, and in 1996 implemented the quality assurance tool for AIDS housing programs in Connecticut. The standards were the first of their kind in the nation, and continue to be a model for AIDS housing around the country.

In 2003 CARC began providing organizational support to The AIDS LIFE Campaign. AIDS Legislative Initiative & Funding Effort Campaign

Even through the hard times, CARC has received generous support from the community.

CARC members continue the work of the coalition by serving on the CQI and Membership Services committees. A few brave souls from member agencies have also been known to frequent CARC’s legendary fundraisers…

Jennifer Chase Administrative Assistant Aaron Lucas Bookkeeper/Fund Admin. While CARC has grown and changed over the past 16 years, its staff has also expanded. Chris Kelly Training Coordinator Cecilia Baldwin Program Manager

Alycia Santilli Community Organizer Mary Mc. Clintock Development Director Carol Walter Program Director John Merz Executive Director Shawn Lang Assistant Director

Upon awakening from CARC’s strategic planning process, the coalition finds itself in a new land…

Our New Vision Advocating on behalf of all people living with HIV/AIDS in Connecticut to ensure a full range of quality housing and services necessary to maximize their potential and live their lives in dignity.

Our New Space

Our New Mission CARC advocates for quality housing and services for all people living with HIV/AIDS in Connecticut by: Establishing and maintaining Encouraging atechnical assistance to Providing research-based approach Promoting synergy full funding of of Increasing public awareness of the Advocating for among all AIDS Fostering the self-empowerment to thehigh standards of HIV/AIDS provision of housing and services providers and funders to enhance all persons living withproviders realities for peopleservice with HIV/AIDS housing and services housing and living HIV/AIDS housing and services for people living with HIV/AIDS program quality and capacity

Our New Website… www. ctaidscoalition. org

Transition to Work Our New(er) Programs CT Working Positive Project Positive Futures: A training institute on HIV & Employment Provides training and technical November 3 rd and 4 th—be there! assistance to AIDS service providers on workforce development and vocational rehabilitation.

Consumer Organizing Participate in regional C 2 EA event in groups Facilitate several consumer advocacy Boston Lead Connecticut’s efforts in the Campaign on. End AIDS, a 2005 national movement. in October 29, to Connecticut: new • Hartford • New Haven • Willimantic • New Britain

Research Hypothesis: Supportive AIDS grant with Secured a community researchhousing the increases Interdisciplinary Research on Center forsecondary prevention among AIDS persons with HIV/AIDS (CIRA) at Yale Study to begin late 2005

Client Assistance Funds Assists eligible consumers with these Funded by: non-reimbursable expenses: CARE Act funds Hartford Ryan White Title I • Prescriptions • Medical-fee-for-service • Utilities • Food • Babysitting

AIDS LIFE Campaign Initiatives Fostering relationships with… CADAP HIV in Exchange Syringe. Prison Continue health insurance for PWA’s, and Condom availability, discharge planning, and Educate legislators and expand availability • The Governor’s Office manage changes to Medicare Part D prevention programming • DPH, DOC, DSS, and • Legislative Leadership

Housing Items on the horizon… Ryan White CARE Act may decrease its support of AIDS housing This will necessitate advocating for an increase from this and other sources

Information to Legislators For the upcoming “short” session: Provide in-depth information to legislators about the state of HIV/AIDS in Connecticut Provide legislators with specifics on the policy agenda of the AIDS LIFE Campaign

AIDS Awareness Day Mobilize consumers and Let’s make it even bigger! providers to educate legislators In 2005, 600 people attended, in 2006… Universal Health Care – we’ll make the connection! …the sky’s the limit!

AIDS Housing Resource Guide Coming soon! If you haven’t done so already, please turn in your edits to Jenn: jenn@ctaidscoalition. org (860) 761 -6699

Consulting Technical Assistance in the areas of: • Housing • Homelessness • HIV/AIDS • Needs assessment • Community planning • Quality assurance • Harm reduction

Our Future Goals 1. Create membership categories for nonhousing AIDS service organizations (ASO’s) 2. Create networking opportunities for ASO’s 3. Provide training and TA to ASO’s 4. Develop a QA model for ASO’s 5. Develop computer-based training modules for member agencies 6. Seek collaborative funding opportunities

Top 10 CARC taglines… …that didn’t make it!! 5. Home of better, and cheaper. 10. We do itthe Magnificent Nine! 4. Doing everything no agency wants to 9. Resolving issues, oneone else at a time. do. 3. Taking place to work. 8. A great over the world, one step at a time. 2. Fun Barbeques. The Best Fundraisers. 7. The ATM machine of Connecticut. 1. We’re not see the ‘S’ on our chest? 6. Don’t you as gay as we used to be!

There’s No Place Like CARC… The End