In a statement released Jan. 14, the Chicago-based HIV/AIDS service organization Better Existence with HIV (BEHIV) announced it would be closing its doors after 21 years of service to the community.
The news follows on the heels of Executive Director Eric Nelson's departure late last year and confirms rumors of financial trouble within the organization. According to the statement, issued by Interim Executive Director Julie Supple and Board President Matthew Gibbs, the organization is now working to transfer its active service contracts to other agencies, including Chicago House, whom it noted as "an enormous help during this difficult time."
"Over the last two decades, BEHIV has provided case management, prevention, housing, mental health, educational outreach, art and massage therapy to those affected with HIV/AIDS. The agency has literally reached thousands of people throughout its tenure. And it has been an amazing run," the statement read.
"With that being said, how did we get here?" the statement continued." Alas, community-based organizations are finding it more and more difficult to maintain their current level of service due to outside factors beyond their control; BEHIV has not been immune to these factors."
In addition to citing reduced individual giving over the last two years, BEHIV also indicated its changing funding relationship with the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) as another factor in their decision to shutter. Specifically, BEHIV pointed to a "pending decision" by AFC to suspend its allocation of Ryan White Part A case management funding of agencies who, like BEHIV, do not have an on-site medical clinic.
"With the environment for funding becoming more and more competitive, AFC is encouraging smaller organizations to merge or forcing the choice of consolidation," the statement read. "There were pending changes in 2011 that would continue to affect BEHIV's ability to sustain operations."
In response to BEHIV's statement, AFC Vice President (and incoming President/CEO) David Ernesto Munar told the Windy City Times that his organization was saddened by the news and described the organization as "a strong community partner" and "another casualty of this tremendously difficult economy."
Munar said BEHIV's reference to AFC's pending decision on Ryan White Part A funding is "an inaccurate description." Munar said his organization is still awaiting the city's decision on Ryan White funding and denied that case-management funding would be denied to BEHIV on the basis of the organization not having an on-site clinic.
AFC expects news on its funding application sometime within the coming weeks, before the March 1 start of the new contract year.
"We've been a longtime funder of BEHIV through housing and case management services and have worked very closely with them over many years and we're proud of our record with them. What's happened at BEHIV is certainly not a result of any decision we've made alone," Munar said. "We know we've been a strong partner [to BEHIV] and we're doing all we can to ensure the continuity of care for the individuals living with HIV that relied on BEHIV."
Munar did not deny that AFC has engaged in conversation with a number of the city's HIV/AIDS organizations about sustainability including the possibility of mergers and consolidations to avoid organizations coming to the point of closing their doors.
"We don't want to see any agencies go away or programs disappear and don't want that expertise to go away, but that requires some work on behalf of the agency's management and board to think critically about their long-term longevity," Munar said. "Unless agencies are willing to do that, some many not make it as standalone organizations. That's the reality of the economics of 2011."
Concluding its statement, BEHIV thanked its funders, staff and board, and quoted a letter from a former client who "wish[ed] there were more places like this, for all those people out there still beating their wings against the winds alone."
"BEHIV leaves the community with pride, grace and a sense of accomplishment; we have succeeded in our mission, which quite simply has been to help people live," the statement read.