AIDS Volunteers, Inc. is committed to providing education, outreach, and advocacy about HIV and AIDS in Central and Eastern Kentucky in order to prevent the spread of HIV; inspire a compassionate response for those who face challenges of HIV and AIDS; and meet the needs of those who are infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.

Description:
AVOL provides services to people who are living with HIV and AIDS which include financial assistance, bus tokens, food referrals and support groups. AVOL also provides various housing assistance programs for people living with HIV and AIDS.
For the general community, AVOL's volunteer program supports client services, housing, and administrative needs. Staff and Volunteers also maintain a prevention program available to all community members which provides free HIV testing and counseling, condoms and safer sex materials, outreach, and HIV presentations.

History:
AVOL was established in 1987 and incorporated in 1988. The first programs centered around providing burials of dignity and respect to those who died with AIDS in the Lexington area. Within a year, AVOL developed two additional focuses: the Speaker's Bureau, to provide education in order to prevent the spread of HIV; and the Companionship Program (currently the Caregiver Program), developed to bring both a sense of community and hope to those living with HIV and AIDS.

Contact people:

Melanie Qualls, Volunteer/Outreach Coordinator, (phone), (email) Mark Royse, Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (859) 225-9244

Address:

263 North Limestone Street Lexington, KY 40507 (See a map)

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

Directions:

AVOL is located on North Limestone Street, between 3rd Street Stuff and the Atomic Cafe.

Overall Experience   
A very heart warming experience

caregiver posted on May 2, 2006