In early 2015, a powerful new partnership was announced in Chicago that signaled greater hope for communities disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. The South Side Help Center (SSHC) and AHF officially joined forces to expand life-saving services across Chicago’s South Side and beyond. To celebrate this meaningful affiliation, SSHC and AHF hosted a community event at the DuSable Museum of African American History, bringing together leaders, advocates, and residents to introduce the collaboration and its shared mission.
For nearly 30 years, the South Side Help Center has been a cornerstone of support in Chicago, providing prevention, education, and direct care to individuals at risk or living with HIV/AIDS. By teaming up with AHF, SSHC gained greater capacity to reach even more people in need. AHF’s presence also brought its first Illinois Healthcare Center to South Michigan Avenue, offering expanded access to high-quality medical care and support.
At the affiliation celebration, speakers included SSHC Executive Director Vanessa Smith and AHF President Michael Weinstein, who both emphasized the importance of partnership in tackling persistent health disparities. Their remarks underscored a shared commitment to serving underserved communities, especially African American residents, who continue to face disproportionate rates of new HIV infections and limited access to care.
This collaboration represented more than a strategic alliance; it reflected a community-centered approach to public health. Together, SSHC and AHF tailored and expanded services, including education, testing, case management, and support programs, where they were most needed. By combining resources and expertise, SSHC and AHF made significant strides toward reducing new infections and strengthening health outcomes across Chicago.
The SSHC–AHF affiliation stands as a compelling example of how established community organizations and national health leaders can work shoulder-to-shoulder to confront the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Through expanded services and a unified vision for equity in healthcare access, AHF brought renewed energy and hope to a city long affected by HIV
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