They’re called AIDS Service Organizations, but they’re about living a healthy life with HIV, too.
ASO SERVICES & PROGRAMS
The ASO you go to may be a small office with a few professionals or it might be large or attached to a medical office. Whatever it looks like, your ASO is a place you can go to for a lot of different kinds of help and support. ASOs give free services to people living with or affected by HIV. Here are just some of the many things they can help people with HIV find:
- Financial assistance
- Housing
- Food assistance
- Education
- HIV testing
- Treatment & prevention
- Mental health support
- Substance abuse treatment
- Support for families & partners
WHO’S AT THE ASO?
The professionals and volunteers you’ll find at ASOs can have different titles and different roles. They may include:
CASE MANAGERS
COUNSELORS
PEER COUNSELORS
SOCIAL WORKERS
TREATMENT
EDUCATORS
Who is Ryan White and
why do we CARE?
Ryan White is a name you’ll probably hear in ASOs. That’s because back in 1984, when Ryan White was diagnosed with HIV, he and his mom began to fight for the rights of people with HIV. In 1990, Congress passed the Ryan White CARE (Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency) Act. And today, ASOs use this Act to help a lot of their clients get healthcare coverage.
SHARING STRENGTH
WITH OTHERS
You can inspire people in the HIV community by showing them they can live very positive lives. Here are some ways to share the strength. Talk to your ASO Professional and find your way to share your strength.
- Peer counseling
- Community groups
- HIV walks
- Community outreach
- Hotline volunteer
- ASO volunteer
- HIV test counselor
There are healthcare providers who are HIV experts and who can help you understand HIV and how to treat it.
Find HIV resources in your area.
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