About AIDS Interfaith Network

A Brief History of Our Organization and the Work We Do

AIDS Interfaith Network was created in 1986 by a group of clergy and pastoral and lay counselors who were providing spiritual and emotional support services to persons living with HIV/AIDS. These same individuals were attempting to educate clergy, churches, and their congregations about HIV/AIDS in an effort to promote a more compassionate response to those who were struggling with the disease. Rapidly, AIN began to see that clients needed practical support as well as spiritual support, and began recruiting and training volunteers from local churches, synagogues, and other faith organizations to provide in-home, non-nursing support such as, laundry, cooking, cleaning, and other light housework.

These efforts resulted in the creation of the Care Team Program, which has now received awards for outstanding volunteer work from two sitting U.S. Presidents and is the centerpiece of our volunteer services. Pastoral Care Services and Volunteer Support have been integral parts of the history, mission, and purpose of AIN.

Recognizing the changing face of persons with HIV/AIDS, in 1991, AIN expanded efforts to outreach traditionally under served populations who were now being affected and infected with HIV. Two minority access programs -- the African American Health Coalition and Manos Unidas -- were created to provide specific Outreach, Advocacy services, and HIV Education to these population groups. These programs link clients to our services and to support services throughout the continuum. Understanding the need for culturally competent community-based services, AIN developed multicultural staff to better meet these needs. In 1995, we began providing a Spanish language interpreter/translator program: Interpretation serves clients who only speak Spanish, and assists other organizations with this service.

Upon learning of the possible closing of Oak Lawn Community Service (OLCS) in 1999, AIN worked with the agency, Dallas County Health and Human Services, and others to absorb 7 former programs of OLCS:

These Volunteer programs were combined with the Care Team program to create a continuum of volunteer opportunities and client services. Client Advocacy joined the AIN Advocacy programs and also provides the centralized client intake process.

These programs are logical extensions of the mission and purpose of AIN, and help create a continuum of practical, emotional, and spiritual client support. With the addition of these programs, AIN became one of the largest HIV/AIDS service providers in Dallas. As a result, AIN is now providing and managing various client service programs, additional staff, additional volunteers, and a much larger financial responsibility.

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