2021
Annual Report
Leaders' Letter
Though the challenges of 2021 were significant, AFC continued our legacy of impact and innovation, making strides towards a Better Normal. AFC created a Better Normal through long-term systemic and organizational change that included the passage of a state law that decriminalized HIV, facilitating Getting to Zero Illinois (GTZ-IL)’s first community grant program and by completing our first Racial Equity Action Plan. The shared focus of our staff and community was unwavering as we dealt with the turmoil of COVID-19; a crisis that was exacerbated by the inequities throughout our state, our country and our world. We must remember that we lost several community members including staff, board members, partners and advocates. We also lost transgender women of color to senseless violence perpetuated by transphobia, misogyny and racism. Despite the difficulty of 2021, we see a vision of a brighter day, which is informed by our past and our dreams. That for us is not just a new normal, but a Better Normal.
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With gratitude,
John Peller, President/CEO Craig Johnson, Board Chair
6,252 clients*
client demographics**
Provided individualized support to more than 6,000 clients through case management.
1,347 female identified
1,212 housed
4,201 male identified
1,212 clients had a place to call home because of AFC and its subsidiary organization, Center for Housing and Health.
1,785 calls | $767,410 The HIV Resource HUB, a hotline and portal led by AFC and the Center on Halsted, received and responded to 1,785 calls. The HUB provides connections to vital resources for people living with HIV and those who are HIV-negative and on PrEP such as housing, treatment, PrEP and emergency financial assistance including COVID-19 relief. AFC distributed $767,410 in rent, utility payments and other areas of support and also provided 3,831 food vouchers to 946 clients. *Combined data with AFC and CHH clients. **Demographics based on 5,579 AFC Case Management clients.
1,463 hispanic/latino/a/x
Advancing Health Equity
Preventing New Cases of HIV 83% undetectable AFC’s case management system connects individuals to vital resources like medical care: 83% of AFC’s more than 5,500 case management clients living with HIV have an undetectable viral load -- meaning their treatment is successful, and they cannot pass HIV sexually to their partners.
getting to zero illinois Getting to Zero Illinois launched a comprehensive data dashboard, a tool that allows the state to measure our progress in ending the HIV epidemic. More than 746 people visited the dashboard since its launch.
Navigating healthcare sucks. Yeah, it often sucks. The HIV Resource HUB can change that.
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- Román Buenrostro (1967-2021), Director of Special Projects
Timothy Jackson, AFC Director of Government Relations and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra
Last year, AFC’s policy team developed an ambitious state policy agenda galvanized by our beliefs in inclusivity, telehealth, sex education and health equity.
- John Peller, President/CEO
10 state legislative wins
Bold Voice for change
During the 2021 state legislative session, AFC prioritized and advocated for 10 pieces of legislation in partnership with organizations and coalitions across Illinois. On July 27, 2021 Governor J.B. Pritzker signed HB1063 into law, making Illinois the second state to end the criminal transmission of HIV. Other notable legislation included the Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act (SB818) and Inclusive Data Collection (SB2133). Together, these laws push us closer to a more equitable Illinois.
70 articles 70 interviews and stories published to AFC news/blog to advance health and racial equity. Discover our Inside Story Blog at aidschicago.org/news.
Serving as a Collaboration AND Knowledge center $72,000 | 8 organizations
17 COVID-19 webinars
AFC's Learning Circle Collaborative provided capacity building, technical assistance and grants, including CDC vaccine grants, totaling $72,000 to eight Black-led organizations:
AFC staff produced 17 webinars as part of the Grand Rounds’ series that explored various topics related to COVID-19. Amidst constant change, the series provided 2,100 learners steady access to trustworthy information from subject matter experts.
• Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus • Global Girls Inc. • Life is Work • Lighthouse Foundation • Lorde Rustin & Bates • Proactive Community Services • Project Vida • Taskforce Prevention & Community Services
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This work is not new for us. Since AFC’s founding in 1985, we’ve continually innovated our programming and services to better serve Black and Latinx communities. - Dr. Cynthia Tucker, Senior Vice President of Community Partnerships and Special Projects
racial equity action plan With the guidance of Morten Group LLC, AFC developed a three-year Racial Equity Action Plan with staff of all levels, genders, races, ethnicities and ages. Officially launched in 2022, the plan paves the way for AFC to embed race equity into all aspects of its work.
$640,000 Raised more than $640,000 through Team to End AIDS and AIDS Run & Walk — $235,244 distributed in grants to 26 CommunityDirect partners, providing supportive resources including housing and case management to people living with HIV across Chicagoland.
AFC FY21 budget AFC Revenue: $35,242,718 AFC Expenses: $34,621,140 Visit 2021.aidschicago.org/financials for more financial info. AFC expenses
Strengthening our Organizational Excellence
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Mission
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People living with HIV or chronic conditions will thrive, and there will be no new HIV cases.
Vision
AFC mobilizes communities to create equity and justice for people living with and vulnerable to HIV or chronic conditions.
or visit 2021.aidschicago.org
200 W. Monroe St., Ste 1150 | Chicago, IL 60606 | aidschicago.org