14 GHP Q2 2025 IDS Resource was founded in 1988, on a mission to provide comfort and dignity to individuals in Lycoming County who were dying from AIDS-related causes. As medical treatments continued to advance for those living with HIV, the organisation saw the opportunity to do even more for the community, thus expanding its services and extending its reach beyond Lycoming County. The organisation has faced financial uncertainty throughout its operation, though these obstacles were soon addressed by optimised finances and increased fundraising efforts. In just a year, AIDS Resource was debt-free once again. Boasting an unwavering dedication to its clients, the organisation continued its expansion efforts – first into Snyder and Union Counties in 2003, and then into Clinton, Centre, and Potter Counties across the next decade. This period also marked a significant transformation for AIDS Resource, characterised by an increase in the organisation’s outreach efforts to focus on prevention, education, testing, and community engagement. From here, AIDS Resource’s services began to truly thrive. While its client support services were initially grounded in medical case management, they quickly evolved to encompass broader challenges with services comprising transportation assistance, medication adherence counselling, a mail-order pharmacy, budget counselling, financial aid programmes, and housing support. In addition to this, the organisation also offers a food delivery programme, that provides healthy and delicious meals to people living with HIV to provide consistent nutrition; a threetiered housing programme to provide stable housing, with options ranging from emergency placement to ongoing full rent; the Schulze Pet Fund, which provides pet food, emergency veterinary care, and kennelling for patients who are in the Apr25030 A HIV continues to be a major public health crisis,impactinglivesaroundtheworldwith its devastating effects. Whilst scientific advancementshaveeasedtheprocessesof prevention and treatment, there remains no vaccine or cure the approximate 1.3 million adults diagnosed with HIV each year. Individuals must rely on the support oflovedonesandorganisationstoaidthem through these tumultuous times, though it can be difficult to find the right support during such chaos. Enter AIDS Resource - a leading organisation on a mission to provide a comprehensive suite of services to people living with HIV and the broader community. We heard more from Kirsten Burkhart, Executive Director, below. hospital; the provision of free resources to the community, such as condoms, Narcan, menstrual supplies, pregnancy tests, emergency contraception, and OTC birth control pills. What’s more, AIDS Resource has extended its services to the broader community, following an unfortunate situation in which one of its transgender allies experienced harassment. This troubling incident sparked a change within AIDS Resource and led to the creation of a free clothing boutique catering to the LGBTQIA2S+ community. The Brian Spies Boutique is a safe space where members of the community can shop for clothes in a private, welcoming, and nonjudgemental environment, with a nondisclosed location. The boutique offers a range of apparel, footwear, and accessories to explore, of which all are free! Today, AIDS Resource stands as a beacon of hope and support for a significantly underserved community. Driven by a shared vision, the organisation has grown and evolved since its establishment, transforming lives by providing medical and social services to those living with HIV and the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Since its establishment, AIDS Resource has demonstrated a commitment that extends beyond medical treatment, encompassing holistic care that addresses every aspect of an individual’s health and wellbeing. “We combine medical care with social services, community education, and advocacy, addressing the whole person rather than just treating conditions,” Kirsten shared. “Our clinic offers sliding-scale fees and services regardless of ability to pay, helping bridge critical healthcare gaps for people who might otherwise avoid seeking care due to past discrimination or financial barriers. The staff and volunteers are highly trained and work to create an environment of shared understanding and trust that traditional healthcare settings and social services may struggle to achieve.” Guided by the principles of inclusivity, respect, and equity, AIDS Resource is relentless in its mission of providing support, safety, and security to those living with HIV and the broader community, placing a focus on caring for those within the LGBTQIA2S+ space. Moving forward, the organisation will remain committed to evolution, so that it can continue to address the ever-changing needs of its clients and patients. At the core of AIDS Resource lies an unwavering commitment to enacting real change and transforming the lives of countless individuals. It is for this very mission that AIDS Resource has excelled in its field, earning the title of Best HIV and LGBTQIA2S+ Health Support Provider 2025 – USA. Contact: Kirsten Burkhart Company: AIDS Resource Web Address: https://aidsresource.com/ & https://arhealthservices.org/ Best HIV & LGBTQIA2S+ Health Support Provider 2025 – USA
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