As the face and impact of HIV/AIDS change, the organizations that serve patients must also change; for evidence of that evolution, look no further than the doors of The HIV Coalition, a.k.a. HIVCO.
In the 15 years since its founding, HIVCO has seen its focus change, its mission expand and its client base grow from 25 people in two suburban counties to nearly 400 people in nine collar counties.
When the organization was founded in 1987 as The HIV Coalition for North Suburban Cook County, its focus was on education and outreach. Initially a project of the county's department of public health and the Junior League of Evanston-North Shore, it brought much-needed information to the North Shore through visits to schools, businesses and AIDS service organizations, said Development Director Robert Fickes.
In 1993, the agency changed its name, dropping North Suburban Cook County to reflect an expansion of services to Lake, McHenry and Kane counties.
By 1995, the board recognized a dire need for direct services for those affected by HIV, and it launched the Hand-to-Hand Food Network, a program that provides 30 nutritionally balanced meals a month to clients of all ages, races and backgrounds. Fickes estimated that the Food Network has delivered 400,000 meals to 600 unduplicated clients since 1995.
While HIVCO still does outreach and education work, its main priority now is the Hand-to-Hand Network, and later this month the 9-12 Bowling League will hold its fourth Strike Out Hunger benefit for HIVCO at River Rand Bowl in Des Plaines.
The event typically draws about 100 bowlers, and Fickes said the goal this year is to reach 150 and fill every lane.
In addition to seven full-time staffers, the Network is largely volunteer driven. Fickes said 250 helpers currently collect and sort food and deliver boxes in the agency's 7,000-square-mile-wide service area, which reaches from Lake Michigan west to the Mississippi River, and from the Wisconsin border to the southernmost parts of Cook County. Operations work out of the Elk Grove Village headquarters and a satellite office in south suburban Midlothian.
The Midlothian office, which opened in 1999, also offers prevention and risk reduction programs, counseling, HIV testing and support groups.
HIVCO's legion of dedicated volunteers has garnered it praise and awards, including being named the Greater Chicago Food Depository's Best Volunteer Program.
Fickes said half of the agency's food is donated—"We rely heavily on outreach in the community"—and half is bought from Butera, a local grocery store chain, and from the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Food donations are generated by drives at businesses, schools, churches and even grocery stores.
"We're the only AIDS service organization who does grocery store food drives," Fickes said.
On weekends from April to October, volunteers stand outside local grocery stores handing out wish lists and asking shoppers going in to buy items for HIVCO. Each wish list includes a description of the agency's services, and Fickes said the drives both bring in food and raise awareness.
As the demographics of the HIV epidemic have shifted nationwide, HIVCO has seen its client base shift. Sixty-one percent of those served are African American or Latino, according to the agency's 2000 census, and many more are living in poverty than the agency has historically seen.
Clients range from those who are healthy enough to be back at work and use the HIVCO meals to supplement their diets, to people who are homebound and rely on HIVCO's food.
Clients are referred by area case management agencies and healthcare workers.
The agency is funded by public and private contributions, Fickes said. About 60% comes from Ryan White CARE Act funds and grants from the state and local townships. The rest comes from private resources, including Kraft, Abbott Laboratories, Walgreens and Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
Fickes said in addition to monetary donations, Walgreens has given three vehicles to the Food Network.
The Strike Out Hunger bowling benefit is 9 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, March 31, at River Rand Bowl, 191 S. River Road in Des Plaines. The $25 entry fee includes bowling, a buffet and shoe rental. Participants are also encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item. To register or to get more information, call ( 847 ) 228-5200.