The mission of CARES is to minimize further transmission of HIV and to maximize the quality of life for all people affected by HIV. CARES employs three strategies to carry out its mission: be a successful social enterprise, build financial strength, and attract and retain engaged staff, board, and volunteers.

Description:
The CARES Prevention Team provides outreach and health education programs and services to more than 3,000 people annually who are at risk of HIV infection. These individuals are in high risk groups, as determined by the Michigan Department of Community Health, including men who have sex with men, injecting drug users, commercial sex workers, migrant farm workers, people who have been treated for another STD and area youth. Approximately 1,000 free, confidential HIV tests are performed annually at CARES and in collaboration with Planned Parenthood and other partner organizations.

During the current fiscal year CARES Case Managers provide services to more than 350 individuals who are HIV+. These services include confidential HIV testing, assistance in obtaining primary medical care, life and budget planning, peer support groups, emergency financial assistance, housing, transportation for medical appointments, etc.

History:
CARES was established in 1985 by a group of volunteers and operated from the apartment of the founding executive director. In the beginning, volunteers offered peer support to people who were HIV positive or who had been diagnosed with AIDS. From that, we have grown into a well-respected nonprofit who provides services to 11 counties in Southwest Michigan. CARES is now the only community-based AIDS service organization serving Kalamazoo County and Southwest Michigan. Currently, with a $1.3 million dollar budget and 20 employees in Kalamazoo and Benton Harbor, CARES is the second largest service provider in the state for its target population.

Contact people:

Dave Watt, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Nathan Miller, Project Manager, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (269) 381-4050

Address:

629 Pioneer Street Kalamazoo, MI 49008 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.caresswm.org