History

HIV Alliance has been a united professional agency since 1994, the result of a merger of HIV/AIDS Resources and Lane County AIDS Hospice Services.

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 in Oregon organizes volunteers for emotional support and practical care for people with AIDS and their families and friends.
• 1986: Willamette AIDS Council focuses on prevention and education. Carper House provides an early residential program for AIDS/HIV patients.
• 1991: Lane County AIDS Hospice Services establishes Acorn House hospice.
• 1991: Shanti in Oregon and WAC merge to form HIV/AIDS Resources.
• 1994: HIV/AIDS Resources and Lane County AIDS Hospice Services merges to become HIVAlliance.
• 1996: 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 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.

Today: HIV Alliance continues to meet the challenges of this incurable disease through education and prevention programs and support to people living with HIV in Lane County.