Did you know that last year we served over 2,800 individuals with HIV/AIDS or at high-risk of HIV infection?  We served even more if you count the more than 1,000,000 condoms we distributed free throughout East and Central Harlem and the South Bronx, three of the New York City neighborhoods with the highest preponderance of new HIV diagnoses.  Our client base is predominantly female, and more than 90% of African-American or Hispanic backgrounds.  Clients range in age from toddlers to those in their 80’s.  Your donation today helps them all.

When you hear politicians talk about massive spending cuts, they're talking about cuts to the programs that fund Iris House.

  

We need your help, and we can use it now.

 

In the last year alone, national strategies on HIV and have shifted away from programs for women, resulting in a reduction of more than $300,000 in federal funds to Iris House.   Even where funding is increased, priorities and money are being directed from the very people for whom Iris House was founded almost 20 years ago: women like Lillian and their families.

 

Lillian used to teach health education classes.  When she was diagnosed with HIV, shame and fear kept her from seeking treatment for a decade until health related problems became critical.  She came to Iris House for help, and is now back to an active, healthy lifestyle.  Not only is she an advocate for women, but she's giving back to our community as a volunteer fitness instructor offering group classes and individual counseling to other Iris House clients.  

 

Your gifts ensure that a dedicated team of counselors and caseworkers were on hand to help people like Lillian.

 

A gift this year in recognition of the 30th Anniversary of the AIDS Pandemic will help us to save lives every day.

 

Click here for more stories about how your gift benefits not just women like Lillian, but also our friends Casilda and Cynthia.

A gift of

$25 provides one free HIV Rapid Test

$50 provides MetroCards to ten women in our domestic violence support group

$100 provides a 15-meal pantry bag for four members of our community

$250 provides educational materials and lunch for ten teenagers at our annual Teen Summit

$500 provides 5,000 prevention palm cards for our Love Your Life: Keep it 100 NYC Campaign

$750 helps keep electricity and phone service on for a dozen clients in supportive housing

$1000 underwrites a Party With a Purpose for 150 young people’s prevention education

$1500 would provide two new computers for our life-skills classes, offered to women and men

$2500 distributes 100,000 free condoms to 125 business in high-risk neighborhoods each month

$5000 would cover the costs of running a Divas Support Group (HIV+ women over 50) for a Year

More than ninety cents of every dollar goes directly to client programs. Your gift means so much more because it goes right to the people who need it the most.

Network for Good is a secure, highly respected charity portal that accepts online donations for Iris House.  If you would prefer to send a check, please make it payable to Iris House and send it to:

                              Development Department

                              Iris House

                              2348 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard

                              New York, NY 10030

 

Iris House, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) organization and is registered as a charitable organization with the Charities Bureau, Office of the New York State Attorney General .  Donations are tax deductible in accordance with the rules of the IRS. Your donation will be acknowledged.