BEING ALIVE/ PEOPLE WITH AIDS ACTION COALITION INC

Being Alive is working to end HIV infections by eliminating stigma, engaging people in wellness, removing barriers to care, and restoring dignity.

Our core mission is to End the HIV Epidemic, participating in the Federal and worldwide effort to bring the HIV epidemic to an end by 2030. We will reduce the level of transmission of HIV by 75 % by 2025 and by 90% in 2030, effectively ending the HIV Epidemic.

We do this through our core competency of Healthcare Navigation, connecting our clients to compassionate, culturally sensitive providers; Case Management; Cultural program services; Mental Health Therapy; Chiropractic and Acupuncture; art therapy with a ceramics studio; Harm reduction with street clinics providing clean equipment to those who use substances -- thus reducing their risk of becoming ill from blood borne illnesses; and a buddy program.

Our overall goal is viral suppression for our clients: our annual average is 59%, the highest of any organization working with HIV in LA County.

Strategies: Health Care Navigators and Case Management -- to connect clients with providers and help with adherence to medication.
The Wellness Center: Holistic approach to wellness with Mental Health Therapy, Pain management with acupuncture and chiropractic care; cultural outings to arts events and nature settings.
Harm Reduction with the Syringe Services program.
Buddy Program.

Our culturally competent and professionally tested and trained staff members are responsible for carrying forward our mission:
Health Care Navigators assist newly diagnosed clients, many of whom have incomes below the poverty line, to find access to healthcare through MediCal enrollment. Those who qualify for ADAP, receive assistance with meds and other health care service through Ryan White Funding. Our Navigators are also trained Case Managers and assist our clients in resolving emergency situations and chronic life issues to achieve a quality of life balance, relieve stress, and help them live better lives.
Our Wellness Program gives access to Mental Health Therapy, Chiropractic Therapy and Acupuncture therapy with trainees from accredited programs under the supervision of licensed professional educators and practitioners. Clients may use our ceramics studio for art therapy; and many participate in cultural opportunities such as plays, musicals and theater; outings to the Hollywood Bowl; an afternoon at the Huntington Gardens; a weekly movie -social night gathering; or participation in one of our many support groups which are organized for the various constituencies that we serve.
The Harm Reduction program coordinator and assistant are responsible for 4 street outreach clinics to help keep our unhoused brothers and sisters safe from harm for those who use substances. They are able to achieve some reduction in risk level for many, and keeping them HIV negative reduces their likelihood of severe illness, higher cost of health care and the potential for eventually entering rehab.
The Buddy Program links up volunteer "Buddie" with clients to help them with any number of day-to-day activites such as grocery shopping; a ride to the Doctor; or a weekly visit. This Buddy program hearkens back to the early days of the AIDS pandemic when buddies filled in to help friends who were dying.

With the overall goal to end the HIV Epidemic, we are experiencing progress in the following areas:
In our client population, viral suppression is at 95+%, a rate that is significantly higher than the Los Angeles county average rate of 60%. Viral suppression means that a client's HIV level is undetectable, and scientifically, it has been demonstrated that a person who is undetectable cannot transmit the virus. This reduces significantly the transmission of the virus.

We are able to enroll individuals who come to us into PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) which is a once a day pill for those who are HIV negative and who are sexually active, to remain negative.

We help our clients to live a higher quality of life through our wrap around services and programs for holistic wellness.