Our Mission
Iris House saves lives through comprehensive support, prevention and education services for women, families, and under served populations affected by HIV/AIDS and other health disparities in a safe, family-centered environment by passionate, professional and culturally competent staff.
Iris House was named for early HIV Activist Iris De La Cruz (pictured left), whose passion for our cause was instrumental in establishing our programs. To fulfill our mission, Iris House offers practical, family-centered services that promote prevention and education while addressing the day-to-day realities of living with HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, Diabetes, Obesity, Hypertension, Depression and other health disparities plaguing our communities. All of our programs are developed to achieve the following goals:
Iris House is led by Ingrid Floyd, Executive Director. Our HistoryIris House, founded in 1992, was the nation’s first HIV/AIDS agency to provide family focused services to women of color infected and affected by HIV. The organization evolved as a result of a two year initiative undertaken by New York City women from the foundation, government, and private sectors as well as those who were infected. After assessing the unmet needs of HIV+ women of color, African American and Hispanic, they recommended the formation of an agency to serve this population and were instrumental in obtaining funding to cover expenses during its formative years. During its 23 years of operation, Iris House has been a strong, vocal advocate for funding of services to meet the needs of HIV+ women of color and those at greatest risk for becoming infected - African-Americans and those of Hispanic origin. The organization’s leadership participates with other organizations in advancing the needs of these populations.
Iris House opened its doors in East Harlem with a 3 person staff and a limited amount of funding while it sought government support of its programs. Due to the increased number of clients and a burgeoning staff, the agency outgrew its East Harlem space within five years. In 1998, we undertook a successful capital campaign that enabled the organization to purchase and rehab a five story building in Central Harlem to accommodate its administrative offices and some of its services. In 2011, Iris House opened an outreach center in the South Bronx, and during the summer of 2012, met an ongoing need in neighboring New Jersey by opening a permanent office in Plainfield. Today, the organization has 44 full time and 12 part-time employees, and more than 20 volunteers, an operating budget of $6,500,000. In the beginning the agency was focused on meeting the needs of HIV+ women that were sick and dying, helping them to make plans for their children’s future and connecting them to medical and home care. With the advent of medications, the terror of the epidemic changed from an outcome of death to living with and managing a chronic disease. Thus we have had to provide enhanced services for those living longer at the same time continuing to provide services for the newly infected. Iris House is a dynamic organization that responds to the ever changing HIV/AIDS public health initiatives in New York City and New Jersey and the needs of the people of color infected and at risk of HIV/AIDS living in our communities. The agency has expanded its care and prevention programs in keeping with its vision and mission. The organization is sufficiently flexible to enhance and adjust its programs as the needs of the infected and affected population shifts. |
IRIS De La CRUZ |
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Iris De La Cruz was an AIDS Activist, writer, poet and performer who was instrumental in bringing attention to the needs of women living with HIV in the 1980's. Sadly, she died before Iris House opened its doors, but in recognition of her tremendous efforts on behalf of the women we served, our program was named for her.
For more about Iris, check out this write up in the New York Times about her funeral. Her work continues to inspire others. Follow this link to "Spectres of Iris de la Cruz." Aaron Laxton reads her work, "Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll and AIDS" from 1990. To read some of her poetry and her columns from the AIDS Coalition Newsline, click on the PDF link below. We are grateful to Iris's mother, Beverly Rotter, for providing these amazing writings. |
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