Community Benefit Grants Help HIV/AIDS Services

Kaiser Permanente Northern California recently gave $750,000 in Community Benefit grants to help promote HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, screening, support services, and treatment for people living with the disease.

Made in advance of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, the grants were awarded to 24 nonprofit agencies in Northern California. Each service area is home to at least one nonprofit that received a grant, varying in amount from $15,000 to $60,000.

The agencies receiving grants provide a wide range of services for people living with HIV and AIDS. They also work to prevent new cases through education, testing, and counseling.

"Kaiser Permanente is committed to supporting our communities as they continue to address HIV/AIDS prevention as well as services for people who are affected by the disease," said Michael Allerton, HIV Operations and Policy Leader for Kaiser Permanente's Northern California Region. "These grants support local programs that are making a real difference in individuals' lives."

A $60,000 grant helps fund the Tri City Health Center in Fremont that provides medical and social services so that people with HIV and AIDS can lead healthy, independent lives. This grant will also expand HIV testing, particularly in the Spanish-speaking community.

San Francisco's AIDS Emergency Fund (AEF) will use its $25,000 grant to increase access to its new Eviction Prevention Program. The program provides financial assistance to clients and their families when they are faced with imminent eviction or have the opportunity to move into safe, affordable, and permanent subsidized housing. According to AEF, secure housing is a leading indicator of long-term survival with HIV.

Other Northern California grants include:

• $50,000 to Planned Parenthood Shasta Diablo to provide HIV rapid tests for clients who have difficulty accessing health care.
• $45,000 to West Care in Fresno to support the start of a breakfast program for HIV-positive residents and expand psychosocial support services for HIV-positive women.
• $15,000 to Black Women Organized for Political Action to increase HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention among women and teens by partnering with Alameda County's African-American faith-based community.

November 26, 2008 Kaiser Permanente News Center