Our History

The Early Years: First 20 Years of HIV Alliance

  • 1984 and Earlier

    Before 1985

    Before 1985, there was no place in Lane County for an AIDS-affected person to turn: no education, no support, no emotional care, no advocacy within the medical provider community. People began to organize to respond to the ravages of this terrible disease.

  • 1985

    Shanti organizes volunteers

    Shanti (HIV/AIDS hospice provider) in Oregon organizes volunteers for emotional support and practical care for people with AIDS and their families and friends.

  • 1986

    Focus on prevention

    Willamette AIDS Council focuses on prevention and education.

  • 1991

    Acorn House is established

    Lane County AIDS Hospice Services establishes Acorn House hospice.

  • 1994

    HIV Alliance is established

    HIV/AIDS Resources and Lane County AIDS Hospice Services merges to become HIV Alliance.

  • 1996

    Building for Hope Fundraising Campaign

    Building for Hope fundraising campaign gave the agency the support it needed to move out of the rental market for the first time in over 12 years of providing AIDS-related services, and buy its own building. Grand opening for the building was in March 1997.

  • 1997

    Acorn House is closed

    Acorn House hospice closes as new treatments reduce the numbers of deaths. Acorn Center began in January 97, out of the Acorn Club program, as a support center to clients.

  • 1999

    Needle exchange program is launched

    SANA Needle Exchange is started to provide education, treatment referral, and new needles to people who inject drugs in Eugene and Springfield.

  • 2001

    HIV Alliance begins testing and counseling services

    HIV Alliance begins HIV Testing and Counseling Services for people at risk for HIV/AIDS. Tests are offered in locations where at risk populations gather, including the Needle Exchange Van.

  • 2006

    HIV Alliance commits to DEBI's program

    HIV Alliance commits to Demonstrated Effective Behavioral Interventions, DEBI’s, as a means of reducing the spread of HIV. DEBI’s are approved by the Centers for Disease Control. This decision leads to planning for the implementation of Community Promise, later known as The Game.

  • 2006

    HIV Alliance starts its Dental Program

    HIV Alliance applies for and is awarded a Federal Health Resources and Services Administration grant to provide dental care to people living with HIV/AIDS. The program spans a 15 county region and is part of a Special Project of National Significance.

  • 2007

    Rapid HIV testing for high risk populations begins

    HIV Alliance implements Rapid HIV Testing for high risk populations. This test allows individuals at risk for HIV to know their status within 30 minutes.

    HIV Alliance implements a tiered volunteer training program and commits to increased use of volunteers.

  • 2008

    HIV Alliance is awarded a Capacity Building Contract

    HIV Alliance applies for and is awarded a Federal Health Resources and Services Administration grant to provide dental care to people living with HIV/AIDS. The program spans a 15 county region and is part of a Special Project of National Significance.

  • 2009

    Client Services Department expands to Josephine and Curry counties

    HIV Alliance’s Client Services Department expands to add Josephine and Curry counties. Our Dental Program is now serving all 15 of the counties of Southern Oregon through a main clinic at Lane Community College and 3 satellite clinics in Albany, Bend, and Medford.

  • 2009

    HIV Alliance takes on Hep C

    The Board directs staff to expand services to include Hepatitis C.

  • 2010

    HIV Alliance launches its Social Network Strategy

    HIV Alliance adds an evidence based intervention targeting LGBTQIA+ communities. The intervention called Social Network Strategy seeks to increase HIV testing.

  • 2010

    HIV Alliance adds another three Oregon counties

    The Client Services Department adds Marion, Klamath, and Lake Counties to the Care Coordination Center service area.

  • 2010

    HIV Alliance continues to expand its services throughout Oregon

    The Client Services Department adds Lincoln County to the Care Coordination Center. HIV Alliance begin providing prevention services in Douglas and Josephine Counties.

  • 2012

    New prevention programs launched

    HIV Alliance began two new programs in the prevention department. The first is a prevention with positive program for our HIV-Positive clients. The second is to develop a Men’s Wellness Network throughout our service area beginning with five counties along the I-5 corridor.

Since our official establishment in 1994, HIV Alliance has expanded significantly, both in geographic reach as well as scope of programming, in order to respond to the unique needs of people living with and at-risk for HIV in our communities. We are proud of our long history and are always looking for new opportunities for growth. For a list of current programs offered at HIV Alliance, visit www.hivalliance.org/about.

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