Welcome to the Minority AIDS Project
Web Page

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Staff, and Clients, welcome to our new web page.

Two thousand and five (2005) marked more than 20 years of Minority AIDS Project (MAP) service to our community. Over these two decades, the face of AIDS has changed dramatically. Today black women and youth are the fastest growing HIV populations, making our commitment to serve the needs of those affected by the disease an even greater challenge. Nevertheless, we remain steadfast and dedicated in our mission and commitment “to reduce suffering and deaths due to HIV infection and AIDS disease in African American and Latino communities”.

Our experienced and talented staff, who goes beyond their job description to ensure the well-being of their community, will continue to deliver the most innovative and culturally sensitive programs and workshops in the HIV arena. They will continue do this with open non-judgmental discussions about “real life” situations, examined, and described from a caring individual perspective. These dynamic facilitators are “gate-keepers” in the community and have made a conscience decision to give both love and respect back to the neighborhoods from which they were raised. They provide HIV awareness to communities otherwise overlooked, and are committed to the work they do to deliver the message that MAP cares about you.

Minority AIDS Project was the first community-based AIDS service organization established and managed by people of color in the United States. It was the first of its kind birthed from a faith-based institution, the Unity Fellowship Church of Christ. Long before faith based programming was fashionable MAP began providing HIV/AIDS prevention education, testing, counseling, peer support, psycho-social, and home care services.

To date we have served more than 250,000 people who oftentimes have been left out of mainstream health and social services. We pledge to continue to work towards removing the psychosocial barriers for people of color when seeking HIV education and treatment services; to tackle the self-esteem challenges of our youth that keep them at risk for HIV; to develop innovative programs that are designed to reach hard-to-reach populations; to embrace our HIV positive brothers and sisters and to let them know that we still care and will remain in the fight to ensure that they have access to a comprehensive continuum of care; and remain true to our mission. We will continue, for as long as it takes, to get rid of this virus and to also respond to those in our community who are at risk for health challenges related HIV and AIDS. MAP will work hard now and in the future to coordinate resources to meet those needs. We believe that MAP must continue to be a champion in the fight against HIV/AIDS and in providing services to those most in need by collaborating with health, mental health and social service organizations to provide a more comprehensive system of services. To that end as part an expanded continuum of care MAP plans to implement, when resources permit, a Wholeness and Wellness Center.

In the past three years, the Agency has undergone complete management reorganization and the program, administrative and financial systems within the organization have been significantly improved. However, we cannot do this important work alone. This is truly a difficult time for MAP, as with others providing social services, because of financial and program cutbacks. We need your help to continue to challenge those in power to be concerned about the faces of AIDS. We welcome your assistance to keep others informed of the dedicated work at MAP, and we encourage everyone to donate resources, to adopt an agency program or service, and most importantly to get involved with MAP. We can defeat this disease and we can learn to care about our fellow human beings. Join with us in our march to change the character and approach to serving those who need us. We will all benefit and understand the motto we live with every day. MAP serves our community “Because We Care”.

Victor P. McKamie, M.P.A.
Executive Director