2020.aidschicago.orgHome | 2020 Annual Report

Clients Partner Network Donors and Supporters Leadership Financials Menu Clients Partner Network Donors and Supporters Leadership Financials As we reflect on the myriad of challenges that arose in 2020, we are proud of the ways AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) innovated to support Illinois’ HIV/AIDS community. From advancing our racial equity work to launching a hotel project to help those in need of temporary housing during COVID-19, AFC created new solutions to meet the emerging needs of people living with and vulnerable to HIV. These solutions center racial equity, at a time when those disproportionately impacted by HIV had to also contend with COVID-19 and related job losses, housing challenges and more. We cannot thank you enough for your support and trust in us during a challenging year. Together, we were able to respond, and together, we can move forward. With gratitude, John Peller, President and CEO, and Craig W. Johnson, Board Chair AFC has five strategic priorities that aim to support people living with HIV or chronic conditions t hrive and prevent new HIV cases. In 2 020, we added two new ones: Responding to COVID-19 and Advancing Racial Equity and Justice. Th e original five priorities include: Be a Bold Voice for Change; Advance Healt h Equity ; Strengthen our Organizational Excellence; Prevent New Cases of HIV ; and Serve as a Collaboration and Knowledge Center. Our report is structured around these priorities . Responding to COVID-19 AFC took action to meet the new challenges COVID-19 created for our clients, staff and community. We brought a mental health care professional to an all-staff meeting to discuss strategies and resources to support their mental health during this pandemic. We also created policies to offer flexible hours to staff, including parents, to support new household responsibilities such as remote learning. AFC developed and routinely updated a public-facing COVID-19 resource center to meet the needs of our community. 65 people and families Housed 65 people and families in hotel rooms to help them transition to stable housing or quarantine due to COVID-19 Connected our community to food resources 0 clients received 18,441 meals from food banks 0 clients received 3,437 food vouchers 0 clients received 1,761 home grocery deliveries Rapidly enrolled people living with HIV who left jail or prison into supportive programs. They faced increased stigma and fear because of COVID-19. 0 208 participants in Corrections Case Management program x2 Doubled referrals since March 2020 0 % Linked with 33% more clients in 2020 than previous years Distributed $1,176,220 in emergency rent, utility, food and other assistance to 689 households to help them endure the hardships that COVID-19 created or exacerbated. Rent Payment - Eviction Prevention Emergency Utilities Assistance Gift Card - Emergency Needs Assistance Internet/Cell Phone Asistance Rent Payment - 1st/Last Month Mortgage Payment - Foreclosure Prevention PrEP Medical Expenses Assistance Fully remote workforce Created a fully remote-friendly workforce in accordance with the City of Chicago’s COVID-19 guidance. 7 COVID-19 Expert Conversations Convened 7 COVID-19 virtual conversations on topics ranging from long-haul COVID-19 experiences to vaccine development and distribution. Advancing Racial Equity and Justice​​ For years, AFC has recognized the importance of advancing racial equity and justice as not only critical to ending the HIV epidemic, but also to healing our city, state and nation. Black Lives Matter. It’s long overdue for us to recognize and end white supremacy and all racist systems. That’s why in 2020, we joined the national conversation calling for end to white supremacy on our blog, in our newsletters and on social media. We also launched a Race Equity Action Plan, knowing that sometimes the work starts at home. AFC contracted the Morten Group to assess the state of racial equity at AFC and to equip us with a plan to advance the work internally. We also held a conference for the HIV workforce to identify and eliminate racism within the workplace and our sector. AFC remains committed to advancing racial equity for years to come. 4 statements Joined the national conversation calling for an end to white supremacy through 4 statements on our blog, in our newsletters and on social media. Race Equity Action Plan Hired the Morten Group to help AFC address racial equity and justice internally through a Race Equity Action Plan, knowing that sometimes the work starts at home. Positive Change II Hosted 186 attendees at Positive Change II, a virtual conference for the HIV workforce to identify and eliminate racism within our sector. Be a Bold Voice AFC used its bold voice to speak out against racism and white supremacy in 2020. Thanks to Lambda Legal and other partners, we sued the Trump administration after it signed an executive order barring training that focused on racism and sexism. We published statements explicitly calling for needed changes; we amplified the voices of people living with HIV, LGBTQ+ and people of color on our blog; and we mobilized advocates to advance legislation that supported our community. Policy and Advocacy Hosted dozens of virtual conversations open to the community. 6 HIV Decriminalization Munch and Learns 4 Fireside Chats 2 TalkBacks 0 154 advocates mobilized for our first entirely virtual Advocacy Day on Wednesday, April 29 0 Over 1,219 actions were taken to advance our collective mission through AFC’s Mobile Action Network 0 Engaged over 200 Illinoisans in 8 regional engagement sessions led by Getting to Zero Illinois AFC’s project incubator and think tank, Pride Action Tank (PAT) acts to improve outcomes and opportunities for LGBTQ+ communities in the Chicago region. 2 critical conversations about the U.S. Census Hosted 2 critical conversations around including and counting LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. Census and the importance of centering Trans voices and perspectives Focused on uplifting older LGBTQ+ adults Hosted an advocacy training Led a storytelling program Created a virtual Illinois delegation breakfast that allowed older LGBTQ+ adults to connect with legislators on issues that matter most to them AFC produced and distributed 29 original stories for our blog that center our priority populations, Black LGBTQ+ people and the work AFC did during a challenging year: COVID-19, Black America, and the Deadly Cycle of Racism By Aisha N. Davis, Esq. Read More Tyshon’s journey to finding Purpose and Joy in Fatherhood By Sacha I. Urban Read More Queer Bronzeville: A Short History of Black Queer Chicago and AIDS Activism, 1920-1985 By Tristan Cabello Read More AFC helps returning citizens living with HIV shelter in place By Bailey Wlliams Read More AFC innovates to meet increased need for food, financial assistance amid coronavirus By Bailey Williams Read More Previous slide Next slide Shared 4 original stories created by our partners, Board members and staff that helped our community understand the issues at stake in the 2020 election: Here’s why LGBTQ+ Illinoisans should care about this election By Mike Ziri, (he/him), Director of Public Policy at Equality Illinois Read More Dramatic shifts in the Supreme Court could upend the legal rights of many Americans By Colleen Connell, Executive Director of ACLU Illinois Read More Seven things to know about the proposed Fair Tax Illinois constitutional amendment Read More How I took action as an election judge, and how you can too this year By Gary B. Beringer, Dr. P.H. Read More Here’s why LGBTQ+ Illinoisans should care about this election By Mike Ziri, (he/him), Director of Public Policy at Equality Illinois Read More How I took action as an election judge, and how you can too this year By Gary B. Beringer, Dr. P.H. Read More Dramatic shifts in the Supreme Court could upend the legal rights of many Americans By Colleen Connell, Executive Director of ACLU Illinois Read More Seven things to know...