2 organizations in Birmingham offer help to individuals and families with HIV/AIDS, including AIDS Alabama

Did you know Birmingham has many great organizations that are working to help people and their families with HIV/AIDS and to prevent the spread of HIV? AIDS Alabama and Birmingham AIDS Outreach are two of them. Here’s a look at their services and how they help the community of Birmingham. 

AIDS Alabama devotes its energy and resources statewide to helping people with HIV/AIDS live healthy, independent lives, and works to prevent the spread of HIV.

They also provide many great services to individuals and families affected and infected by HIV/AIDS, including:

• Housing
• Policy and Advocacy
• Supportive Services
• HIV/STI Prevention Education
• Free and Confidential HIV/STI Testing
• Outpatient Mental Healthy Services
• Substance Abuse Treatment
• Retention in Care

Housing

AIDS Alabama offers several housing options for those living with HIV/AIDS as well as their families.

They also offer housing options to those who are homeless regardless of their HIV status.

Housing program options include:

• Emergency and supportive housing
• Homelessness and Rapid Re-housing programs
• Permanent housing
• Permanent housing with enriched services
• Short and long-term housing assistance

2 Housing Programs of AIDS Alabama

The Rectory Housing Program

The Rectory Housing Program is an emergency shelter for homeless single adults who are HIV positive and have a substance abuse diagnosis. It provides twelve beds in a shelter-style living arrangement.

Individuals staying at the Rectory must participate in the Living in Balance Chemical Addiction program (“LIBCAP”) – an intensive outpatient program for substance abused.

LIBCAP offers:

• Individual, group and family counseling
• Drug screening
• Case management services
• Jobs
• Education assistance
• HIV education
• Psychiatric assessment

*In 2017, the Rectory program provided 3,362 nights of housing.

The Ascension Project

The Ascension Project uses a “housing first model” that utilizes scattered site homes and apartments. This specific program targets youth ages 19-24 with an emphasis on those who identify as LGBTQ. (All homeless youth are welcome whether or not they meet these classifications.)

Those involved in the Ascension Project are offered developmentally and culturally appropriate supportive services and short- to medium-term financial housing assistance.

Case Management Services

AIDS AL offers case management services to help:

• Maintain stable housing
• Support medical stability
• Help consumers move toward independence

They also offer Adherence Counseling, which provides treatment support for people living with HIV who have a barrier that prevents them from staying in medical care and on medication.

Transportation

To help clients in their journey towards independence, good health and stable independent lives, AIDS Alabama provides free transportation to medical and social service appointments.

*In 2017, AIDS Alabama vans and drivers provided 16,625 transportation trips!

Outpatient Services

The Living Well Outpatient Center (LWOC) is an Alabama Department of Mental Health-certified clinic that provides supportive services to HIV-positive persons. Services include:

• GED, vocational and independent living skills training
• Individual, family and group therapy
• Medication monitoring
• Nursing assessments
• Telehealth services to rural areas (psychiatric evaluation, mental health counseling and case management)
• Treatment adherence counselingDrugBi-lingual case management
• Peer support
• Psychiatric assessments
• Psychosocial services
• Substance abuse treatment

HIV/STI Testing

AIDS AL offers free, confidential HIV testing. (No appointment necessary!)

Tests Offered:

• Alere Determine HIV combo test (finger prick)
• Oraquick test (mouth swab)
• INSTI Biolitical test (60-second finger prick test)

Testing Location and Hours:

Main Office

• 3529 7^th Ave S., Birmingham, AL 35222)
• M.-F. – 9am-4pm

Satellite Safe Space – The HUB

• 2217 6^th Ave S., Birmingham, AL 35222
• M., W., Th., F. – 1pm-8pm
• T. – 1pm-6pm

Get Involved with AIDS Alabama

Do you want to help AIDS Alabama in their mission to help people with HIV/AIDs and prevent the spread of HIV? Then get involved! Contact info@aidsalabama.org or call 205.324.9822 for more information on how to donate, volunteer and support their mission.

Birmingham AIDS Outreach

Birmingham AIDS Outreach (BAO) is another organization in Birmingham that provides a number of services to those affected/infected with HIV/AIDS. BAO was founded in 1985 as Alabama’s first AIDS Service Organization.

Through outreach, age-appropriate prevention education and supportive services, BAO’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS, at-risk, affected individuals and the LGBTQ community.

Today, BAO provides free services to over 800 HIV positive individuals!

LGBTQ Services

Did you know LGBTQ individuals are more likely to be affected/infected with HIV (and other STDs/STIs), and suffer more health disparities? In an effort to be more inclusive and help Birmingham’s LGBTQ community, BAO opened the Magic City Wellness Center (2016) and the Magic City Acceptance Center (2014).

They also act as the fiscal organization for other community projects, including:

• Living in Limbo
• Family Matters
• State and Union

Services of Birmingham AIDS Outreach

BAO offers services by appointment as well as walk-in services.

Services by Appointment include:

• Food and personal supplies
• Clothing department
• Counseling
• Legal Services
• Case management updates
• Case plan/eligibility reviews

Walk-in services include:

• Transportation
• Medical or Medical items assistance
• Nutrition supplements
• P.A.W.S.
• Pet spay/neuter and vaccination programs
• GED classes (Tues. – 1pm-3pm for clients and their families)

Walk-In Service Hours:

• M., T., Th., F. – 10:00am-11:30pm and 12:30pm-4:00pm; Wed. – 2:30pm-6:00pm

Support Groups Provided by Birmingham AIDS Outreach

There are many support groups available at Birmingham AIDS Outreach. Here are some to check out!

• Sisters In Style: Every Thursday (Women only)
• Brother-to-Brother: Every Friday – 11:30am-1:00pm (Men only)
  
• Gay Dads Support Group: Second Wednesday of each month
• Book Club: Third Wednesday of each month

Testing Location and Hours

Birmingham AIDS Outreach offers free and confidential testing for HIV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomoniasis (TRICH), Hepatitis C and Shyphilis. (No appointment necessary!)

Get tested at 205 32nd St. S., Birmingham, AL 35233.

In addition to regular testing hours, BAO also provides several testing events throughout the year at various Birmingham metro areas, including college campuses, health fairs, retail locations and bars. 

Join Birmingham AIDS Outreach

Want to join the efforts of Birmingham AIDS Outreach? Become a volunteer! Contact them at 205.322.4197 or fill out this form.