History of the Wyoming Valley AIDS Council, Inc.
In 1985 a group of community members in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, came together to found a support network for people diagnosed with AIDS. At first the group provided food, clothing, and emotional support to those living with HIV or AIDS and their families. The Wyoming Valley AIDS Council has led the way in AIDS awareness and education, provided individual and systems advocacy on behalf of people with HIV or AIDS and fought to stop the stigma associated with AIDS.
Today, twenty three years since its inception, the Wyoming Valley AIDS Council provides a host of services and programs designed to improve the lives of people with HIV or AIDS. As an AIDS Service Organization, the Wyoming Valley AIDS Council works closely with regional planning coalitions, cooperatives, and national associations to educate the public about AIDS and the services that are available. We offer: A Buddy/Volunteer Program which brings community volunteers together with those who are living with HIV or AIDS and supports the establishment of appropriate relationships, Case Management by professionally trained case managers who help determine client needs and develop service plans to meet those needs; a Community Resource Center to access current HIV or AIDS information, participate in community trainings or meetings and access the internet; Counseling by professional, licensed therapists who help individuals infected with HIV or AIDS, their families and significant others cope with the emotional issues associated with HIV or AIDS; HIV Education/Prevention and Testing Services ( designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Health) along with hosting special events each year to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS. We perform and offer these services primarily in a 2 county region, however our coverage area routinely supports community members encompassing a total of 7 counties within the 54th largest Nielsen Media Market, that being Wilkes-Barre -Scranton.