Detroit, MI, December 1, 2015. World AIDS Day.  Today, on World AIDS Day, AIDS Partnership Michigan (APM) and HIV/AIDS Resource Center (HARC) introduce the name of their newly merged organization:

UNIFIED – HIV Health and Beyond.

In order to strengthen the response to HIV in Southeast Michigan, AIDS Partnership Michigan and HIV/AIDS Resource Center have merged and will now be known as Unified – HIV Health and Beyond. The merger will enhance capacity in key areas, including programming, access to funding, community-based research and delivery of HIV-related healthcare services. Programming will be expanded for greater impact through shared resources, services and expertise to provide a comprehensive network of support for people at risk for or living with HIV across the region. Unified – HIV Health and Beyond will serve ten counties with a population of nearly five million residents and where 63% of people living with HIV reside. Services will be delivered from the three existing offices in Detroit, Ypsilanti and Jackson.

Rooted in the history of its fight against HIV, UNIFIED – HIV Health and Beyond advances prevention, access to healthcare, community research and advocacy.  The vision for the future is to become a nationally recognized multi-service center creating positive change through regional impact, innovation, and sustainability to promote HIV health and beyond.  UNIFIED will use innovative approaches to help residents of Southeast Michigan living with or affected by HIV achieve optimal health through compassionate direct care, support services, prevention and education.  UNIFIED – HIV Health and Beyond will be an effective and powerful voice, providing leadership and advocacy for the communities it serves.

UNIFIED – HIV Health and Beyond will continue to fight HIV at the grassroots level in both urban and rural communities where it is most prevalent, especially for young people, people of color, men who have sex with men, and injecting drug users.

The following comprehensive HIV services remain available and accessible to all who need them.

• Community Mobilization Campaigns
• Healthy Relationships/Prevention for HIV+ Individuals
• HIV Counseling and Testing
• Hepatitis C Testing
• Medical Case Management
• Medication Adherence Counseling
• Behavioral Health Services
• Tobacco Reduction Services
• Health Insurance Enrollment Assistance
• Michigan HIV/STD Hotline/Website
• Syringe Access and Overdose Prevention
• Peer-Designed Prevention Programs
• Prisoner Re-Entry Program
• Housing Assistance and Homelessness Prevention
• Support service including:
o Food and cleaning supplies pantry
o Emergency financial assistance
o Transportation for medical appointments
o Support groups

By joining together, HARC and APM see themselves as being better prepared for the future and proudly embrace their new name: UNIFIED – HIV and Beyond.  It is only fitting to share this exciting news on World AIDS Day, a day for renewing our global commitment to fighting HIV.

AIDS Partnership Michigan (APM) was formed in 1996 through a merger between Wellness Networks, Inc. and AIDS Care Connection. APM was established to better address the emerging AIDS epidemic in the Detroit/Metro area. AIDS Partnership Michigan has always worked by providing education and services to help prevent the spread of HIV and to help connect people living with HIV to needed services

HIV/AIDS Resource Center (HARC) was founded in 1986 by a group of volunteers to provide HIV/AIDS related services to the people of Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, and Washtenaw counties. Over the past decade, HARC has developed into a leading HIV/AIDS services provider in Michigan.