Nonprofit AIDS Agency Closes After Eighteen Years

The board of directors of ARIS has voted unanimously to voluntarily dissolve the eighteen year-old nonprofit agency. The agency, which was founded in the early days of the AIDS crisis, when no other agencies were willing or able to address the rapidly growing disease, provided information and educational outreach as well as housing and other services to those living with AIDS and HIV in Santa Clara County.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) February 24, 2004 ---The board of directors of ARIS (AIDS Resources, Information and Services) voted unanimously to voluntarily dissolve the eighteen year-old nonprofit agency. The agency, which was founded in the early days of the AIDS crisis, when no other agencies were willing or able to address the rapidly growing disease, provided information and educational outreach as well as housing and other services to those living with AIDS and HIV in Santa Clara County.

From the beginning, ARIS offered support groups, direct one-on-one support from volunteers, and referral to other services such as anonymous HIV testing. By the late 1990s, ARIS had expanded into the direct social service arena, managing five group homes for low-income PWAs, and offering a Food Basket" food distribution program.

In recent years, thanks to better medications and improved treatment, those affected by HIV and AIDS have been able to continue working and participating in the community with less help from social service agencies. Changing demographics and improved acceptance of people with HIV and AIDS in the local community, and the ability of affected persons to get support from their friends, family, and their own support systems, further reduced the demand for the services ARIS provided.

ARIS is particularly grateful for its many volunteers, staff members, and supporters who contributed so much over our 18 years of service. ARIS succeeded because of the commitment of these individuals, and that of dedicated public servants, to continue its work in spite of adversity and fear within the community. Over its life, ARIS was able to help thousands of people through the dedication and hard work of a community acting together.

By March of 2003, the difficulty in raising individual and corporate donations coupled with governmental funding cuts brought to light a financial crisis within ARIS. The housing and nutrition programs were moved to another nonprofit as the agency entered a period of exploration and assessment. ARIS founder, Bob Clayton, was asked to lead what was hoped to be a rebirth effort. Mr. Claytons sudden death from a heart attack last September was the final blow from which ARIS never recovered.

ARIS is now working with their creditors and other nonprofit and local government agencies to liquidate their assets and satisfy their debts. Donors are being informed of the agencys status, but donations to cover the costs of shutting down and paying for past services are still being accepted.

For more information, please contact board president Mark Bonine at mrbonine@hotmail.com, or interim executive director Ken Goldstein at greenkenrg@yahoo.com. Donations may be sent to ARIS, 106 E. Gish, San Jose, CA 95112.

Other AIDS/HIV Community Resources:
HIV Hotlines:
o Project Inform -- 800.822.7422
o HIV/AIDS Treatment Info -- 800.448.0440

HIV Testing Sites:
o Gardner Health Center -- 408.988.8925
o Alum Rock Health Center -- 408.259.8400
o Mayview Community Clinic-Palo Alto -- 650.327.1223
o Santa Clara County Health, Crane Center -- 408.885.7000

Complementary Therapy:
o Billy De Frank Lesbian Gay Community Center -- 408.293.2429
o Positive Resources of Santa Clara County -- 408.971.0852
o ESO AIDS Program -- 408.971.0888

Food:
o Food Connection of N. California -- 800.984.3663
o Sacred Heart Community Services -- 408.278.2160

Housing:
o Housing for Independent People -- 408.941.1850
o Health Connections -- 408.961.9850

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Clinics:
o Planned Parenthood, Gilroy -- 408.847.1739
o Planned Parenthood, Mt. View -- 650.948.0807
o Planned Parenthood, The Alameda -- 408.287.7526

Support Groups:
o Camino Medical Group -- 408.524.5075
o Center for Living with Dying -- 408.980.9801
o Neil Christie Living Center -- 408.971.0852
o PACE Clinic -- 408.885.5935

For complete list, please see http://www.aris.org/resourceguide.htm
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