Community Programs
Stone Soup Food Pantry
HIV can alter the body’s metabolism and its ability to absorb nutrients. For a body to effectively fight the disease, it requires more calories. According to the World Food Program, an adult living with HIV can require up to 30% more calories than the average adult and a child living with HIV can require anywhere from 50-100% more calories when compared to HIV-negative children. Many of the anti-retroviral medications required to manage the virus should be taken with food and can cause severe illness when taken on an empty stomach. A lack of access to adequate food can often result in a person living with HIV not adhering to their medication regimen to avoid illness.
The Stone Soup Food Pantry provides food assistance to individuals living with HIV and their families. Stone Soup meets the immediate need for nutritious food while improving the health outcomes for persons living with HIV. It is a donation-based, volunteer-driven program.
Youth Programs
Camp Hope at Camp for All
Established 26 years ago, Camp Hope was the first summer camp for children living with HIV in Texas. Camp Hope serves these kids and their siblings, ages 7 to 16, from marginalized and underserved communities across several states in the South. At camp, these amazing kids are given the opportunity to develop life, education, work and other important skills that are needed to help manage a life living with HIV. They are also given the chance to run, play, and laugh in a safe, healthy and secure environment with other youth like them.
If you’re interested in learning more about Camp Hope, or are a medical provider interested in signing up campers, please contact:
Trista Crow
(713) 623-6796 x292
crowt@afhouston.org
Supportive Housing
“Before I came to Help House I had no direction, and I was wasting my time doing nothing. But when I came to Help House, I met some people that showed me the right ways to make use of my time and money. When I have the mind to use drugs or drink I have the staff here to talk to and help me stay off drugs and drinking. So now I’m really blessed, and I would be lost without Help House.”
Housing is essential. A safe and stable home is necessary for individual health and well-being. For people living with HIV, housing provides the foundation that recovery is built on. Attending doctor’s visits, complying with medications, and learning to manage HIV should be the priority—not finding a warm place to sleep at night.
AFH offers five permanent housing programs, providing safe affordable living and supportive services to individuals and families impacted by HIV. To help individuals develop a stable, healthy and productive future, all AFH housing programs provide intensive case management, community and social support. Our comprehensive assistance model includes individualized plans to address financial stability, resolve family issues, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and guidance on how to obtain other medical and social services.
For more information email
housing@afhouston.org
We have communities designed to serve the needs of:
- Homeless youth ages 18-24 regardless of HIV status
- Individuals or couples experiencing housing and financial instability where one or both are living with HIV
- Families with one or more members that are living with HIV and experiencing housing and financial instability.
- Homeless cis-gender and transgender women living with HIV who face additional barriers (trauma, sexual violence, economic instability, prior incarceration)
- Chronically homeless individuals living with HIV who may also have disabilities
Incarcerated/Recently Released Outreach and Services
Education about HIV empowers individuals to stay healthy. Often some of the most vulnerable populations have the least access to high-quality resources about HIV. Our Prison Education Programs solve this problem by equipping incarcerated individuals with the knowledge they need to lead sexually healthy lives. We offer the following programs to currently incarcerated and recently released individuals.
Wall Talk
A peer-based education program intended for currently incarcerated individuals. This program focuses on HIV, STIs and sexual violence, providing attendees with the tools they need to make informed decisions regarding their sexual health, both during and post incarceration. For questions, please contact:
Georgina German
(713) 623-6796 x 255
Somebody Cares
A peer-based program designed to help individuals plan for living with HIV after their release. We provide access to post-release resources and services that increase adherence to treatment and medication. For questions, please contact:
Georgina German
(713) 623-6796 x 255
Bridge ReEntry Initiative (BRI)
A transitional housing program designed for recently released individuals who are living with HIV. These clients are also managed through the Somebody Cares program. For questions please contact:
Jamie Simmons
simmonsj@afhouston.org
(713) 623-6796
Medical Transportation Program
This program provides transportation to recently released persons living with HIV to medical appointments, mental health appointments, probation/parole appointments and to appointments at other supportive services offices. For questions please contact:
Jamie Simmons
simmonsj@afhouston.org
(713) 623-6796
Donate with confidence
AIDS Foundation Houston
6260 Westpark Dr., Suite 100
Houston, TX 77057-7304