HISTORY

Although the initial program focused primarily on the needs of gay, white men infected with HIV/AIDS, The Center has changed over the past 23 years to include and serve those populations at greatest risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases as well as those who do not seek timely medical care - people of color (especially men who have sex with men and women) and recreational drug users in the lower income areas of Austin, Texas.

As medical treatment for HIV/AIDS has changed from a focus on delaying death to a focus on managing illness and improving quality of life and productivity, The Center's programs and services have changed as well to emphasize treatment adherence, disease prevention and personal responsibility.

In 2001, The Center expanded complementary health therapy services to include hepatitis C (HCV).

During 2003 and 2004, The Center received new funding awards for HIV/AIDS prevention, case management, food bank, substance abuse, mental health and prison-based prevention/education programs.

In 2005, The Center was awarded funding for the "Stop the Cycle" project, a Federal pilot program funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration providing HIV/HCV testing and prevention and prevention case management services to individuals with a history of incarceration and/or substance abuse and at-risk for HIV and/or HCV.

2009 brought a collaboration with AIDS Services of Austin, Caritas and Crime Prevention Institute to provide case management services and direct client assistance to individuals living with a chronic illness, who have a history of incarceration and who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. Funding is provided by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.