Once upon a time in the state of Connecticut, a group of concerned citizens joined together to form a coalition of AIDS housing providers. Their vision was that all people living with HIV/AIDS would have appropriate housing and a full range of services necessary to live their lives in dignity.

CARC’s five founding members, Center City Churches - Peter's Retreat Leeway, Inc. Liberty Community Services Stewart B. McKinney Foundation St. Luke's LifeWorks, worked together to support people living with HIV/AIDS in their communities.

In the years that followed CARC’s membership has grown to 24 member agencies providing quality housing and care. AIDS Project Greater Danbury Alliance for Living BGHS – Valley Mental Health Center Catholic Family Services Center City Churches - Peter’s Retreat Christian Activities Council - Zezzo House Chrysalis Center Columbus House CRT - McKinney Shelter Helping Hand Center HRA of New Britain Immaculate Conception Shelter & Housing Independence Northwest Leeway Liberty Community Services Mercy Housing & Shelter Mid-Fairfield AIDS Project New Haven Home Recovery New Opportunities/Shelter NOW Omega House Prospect House St. Luke’s LifeWorks/ Stewart B. McKinney Foundation St. Philip House Tabor House I & II

In 1991 CARC developed the first Standards of Care, and in 1996 implemented the quality assurance tool for AIDS housing programs in Connecticut. The standards were the first of their kind in the nation, and continue to be a model for AIDS housing around the country.

In 2003 CARC began providing organizational support to The AIDS LIFE Campaign. AIDS L egislative I nitiative & F unding E ffort Campaign

Even through the hard times, CARC has received generous support from the community.

CARC members continue the work of the coalition by serving on the CQI and Membership Services committees. A few brave souls from member agencies have also been known to frequent CARC’s legendary fundraisers…

While CARC has grown and changed over the past 16 years, its staff has also expanded. Jennifer Chase Administrative Assistant Aaron Lucas Bookkeeper/Fund Admin. Cecilia Baldwin Program Manager Chris Kelly Training Coordinator

Alycia Santilli Community Organizer Mary McClintock Development Director Carol Walter Program Director Shawn Lang Assistant Director John Merz Executive Director

Upon awakening from CARC’s strategic planning process, the coalition finds itself in a new land…

Our New Vision Advocating on behalf of all people living with HIV/AIDS in Connecticut to ensure a full range of quality housing and services necessary to maximize their potential and live their lives in dignity.

Our New Space

Advocating for full funding of HIV/AIDS housing and services Promoting the self-empowerment of all persons living with HIV/AIDS Increasing public awareness of the realities for people living with HIV/AIDS Fostering synergy among all AIDS housing and service providers Encouraging a research-based approach to the provision of housing and services for people living with HIV/AIDS Our New Mission CARC advocates for quality housing and services for all people living with HIV/AIDS in Connecticut by: Establishing and maintaining high standards of HIV/AIDS housing and services Providing technical assistance to providers and funders to enhance program quality and capacity

Our New Website…

Our New(er) Programs Positive Futures: A training institute on HIV & Employment November 3rd and 4th—be there! Transition to Work CT Working Positive Project Provides training and technical assistance to AIDS service providers on workforce development and vocational rehabilitation.

Lead Connecticut’s efforts in the Campaign to End AIDS, a new national movement. Consumer Organizing Facilitate several consumer advocacy groups in Connecticut: Hartford New Haven Willimantic New Britain Participate in regional C2EA event in Boston on October 29, 2005

Secured a community research grant with the Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS (CIRA) at Yale Research Study to begin late 2005 Hypothesis: Supportive AIDS housing increases secondary prevention among persons with HIV/AIDS

Funded by: Hartford Ryan White Title I CARE Act funds Client Assistance Funds Prescriptions Medical-fee-for-service Utilities Food Babysitting Assists eligible consumers with these non-reimbursable expenses:

AIDS LIFE Campaign Initiatives Syringe Exchange Educate legislators and expand availability HIV in Prison Condom availability, discharge planning, and prevention programming CADAP Continue health insurance for PWA’s, and manage changes to Medicare Part D Fostering relationships with… The Governor’s Office DPH, DOC, DSS, and Legislative Leadership

Items on the horizon…Housing This will necessitate advocating for an increase from this and other sources Ryan White CARE Act may decrease its support of AIDS housing

Information to Legislators For the upcoming “short” session: Provide in-depth information to legislators about the state of HIV/AIDS in Connecticut Provide legislators with specifics on the policy agenda of the AIDS LIFE Campaign

AIDS Awareness Day Let’s make it even bigger! In 2005, 600 people attended, in 2006… …the sky’s the limit! Mobilize consumers and providers to educate legislators Universal Health Care – we’ll make the connection!

AIDS Housing Resource Guide Coming soon! If you haven’t done so already, please turn in your edits to Jenn: (860)

Consulting Technical Assistance in the areas of: Housing Homelessness HIV/AIDS Needs assessment Community planning Quality assurance Harm reduction

Our Future Goals 1.Create membership categories for non-housing AIDS service organizations (ASO’s) 2.Create networking opportunities for ASO’s 3.Provide training and TA to ASO’s 4.Develop a QA model for ASO’s 5.Develop computer-based training modules for member agencies 6.Seek collaborative funding opportunities

10. We do it better, and cheaper. 9. Resolving issues, one agency at a time. 8. A great place to work. 7. The ATM machine of Connecticut. 6. Don’t you see the ‘S’ on our chest? 5. Home of the Magnificent Nine! 4. Doing everything no one else wants to do. 3. Taking over the world, one step at a time. 2. Fun Barbeques. The Best Fundraisers. 1. We’re not as gay as we used to be! Top 10 CARC taglines… …that didn’t make it!!

There’s No Place Like CARC… The End