Programs & Services » Introduction
We offer a variety of program and services that help individuals and families of the Haitian and Caribbean communities lead a productive life with health and general well being. We also have programs and services that focus on individuals and families that have been infected as well as affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Staffed by trained individuals, who are committed and passionate about helping their clients, our programs are user-friendly as well as culturally competent and sensitive.
History of HIV/AIDS Program The HIV/AIDS program at the Haitian Centers Council, also known as the Haitian Coalition on AIDS, started in 1983. When the AIDS epidemic started in the early 80’s, the Center on Disease Control (CDC) had labeled this new disease as “4H”: Homosexual, Heroinomame, Hemophiliac, and Haitian. Haitians were the only ethnic group being labeled as a high-risk group. Haitians were being discriminated against and there was a loud outcry in the community. The Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad, the Association of Haitian Social Workers, the American Legal Defense Fund and the Haitian Centers Council, Inc. with its affiliates collaborated to create the Haitian Coalition on AIDS. The main goal was to fight and change the unfair CDC definition. The group held many meetings with the CDC and finally in July 1983, they succeeded. CDC changed their definition and AIDS was no longer “4H” officially! Nonetheless, many members of the community were being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS - not because they were Haitian - but because of their risky behavior. The fight with the CDC was over. But there was bigger struggle - a need to educate the community about HIV and to treat and to provide services to those who were already infected at the same time. These needs helped shape our initial program services into 4 major areas.
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