Lifelong AIDS Alliance Receives $250,000 Support Grant

SEATTLE -- Lifelong AIDS Alliance today announced it has received a $250,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. These funds will help cover the costs of the 2001 merger (between Chicken Soup Brigade and Northwest AIDS Foundation) that formed Lifelong. The merger established a more streamlined, responsive agency to meet the challenges of the changing AIDS epidemic and become the first stop for King County's HIV/AIDS-affected population. 

"The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has made incredible contributions to benefit AIDS prevention and vaccine efforts worldwide," said Chuck Kuehn, executive director of Lifelong. "We are thrilled that they remain equally committed to supporting local prevention, support and advocacy efforts for people living with HIV Disease in our community."

More people are now living with AIDS as a chronic illness, which requires comprehensive, long-term, self-sustaining programs and services. To address those needs, Lifelong provides food and nutrition programs; insurance continuation; housing and emergency financial assistance; case management; transportation assistance; comprehensive prevention education and community outreach programs; and local, state and national public policy advocacy. These services are especially important now that new and emerging populations, including people of color and those with multiple issues (including poverty, homelessness, mental illness and substance abuse), are being disproportionately impacted by HIV.

Lifelong has devoted significant energy to raising funds to cover the costs the one-time merger incurred in order to achieve their vision for the agency and create a stable home for their programs.

On the Internet:
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, www.gatesfoundation.org
Lifelong AIDS Alliance, www.lifelongaidsalliance.org