AIDS Outreach Center, Inc.

The AIDS Outreach Center, Inc. (AOC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1986 as a grassroots effort to address the challenges posed by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in North Texas. Initially established as an all-volunteer organization, it was primarily focused on supporting individuals dying from AIDS, providing them with dignity and respect during end-of-life care.

Mission and Vision

AOC's mission is to serve people living with or at risk for HIV with dignity and respect. The organization envisions a community where individuals living with HIV rarely receive poor quality care, and new infections are rare.

Services and Impact

Over the years, AOC has expanded its services to include a wide range of activities aimed at preventing the spread of HIV and improving the lives of those infected or affected by the virus. These services include:

• Medical Support: Medical transportation, dental clinics, and nutrition support.
• Social Services: Care coordination, housing and utility assistance, emergency assistance, and mental health counseling.
• Prevention Programs: Community health HIV testing, STI testing & treatment, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) medications.
• Education and Outreach: Public education on HIV prevention, peer advocacy, patient navigation, and case management.

AOC serves over 1,600 individuals and their families annually across Tarrant County and seven surrounding rural counties, making it the only non-profit organization offering a continuum of support services in this area.

Evolution and Growth

As treatments for HIV have improved, allowing people to live longer with the virus, AOC's focus has shifted from primarily end-of-life care to supporting life with HIV. This has included expanding services to address the unique needs of older adults living with HIV through programs like the Seasoned Survivors Senior Center, which was established with a $1 million grant to provide a safe space for socialization, education, and community engagement among older HIV-positive adults.

Funding and Governance

AOC is primarily funded by HRSA Ryan White funding and other grants, which enable it to maintain a staff of over 30 personnel dedicated to providing critical services. The organization is governed by a diverse board of directors who ensure ethical practices and transparency in governance.