The Task Force began in November 1988 co-chair Pat Powell, Public Health Director and Joe Marino, United Way Executive Director. Purpose: to provide and/or facilitate the coordination of community education efforts and serve as a forum for the service provider, individual community members and persons living with/affected by HIV / AIDS.
The Task Force may advocate for legislation to better address Niagara County needs and will provide information, networking and support for service providers.
It is our intent that persons living with HIV / AIDS or infection be active participants and take part in the decision making for the Task Force.
Mission: The Niagara County AIDS Task Force represents a local effort to combat the HIV / AIDS epidemic which affects our area. Through community education/prevention, advocacy, and comprehensive services our membership is committed to effecting solutions to this worldwide heath crisis.
Funding: The Task Force is financed entirely by donations from friends, businesses, community groups and organizations.
A small emergency account was established for individuals and families affected by HIV / AIDS initially
the funds were used to purchase water filters to provide individuals with safe water source, permanency
planning cost, and transportation to individuals wanting to return to their home to be with family, along
with phone bills to maintain communication links for medical needs. This was in place initially until the
individual could be linked to other community services such as Public Assistance, Catholic Charities, food
pantries, Community Mission etc. The fund also is used for mailings and community awareness activities such
as World AIDS Day. As services became more structured in Niagara County first with Niagara County AIDS Service
then transitioned to Niagara Community Service (ACS) the focus of the fund was to help with the support group,
client events and scholarships for the annual retreat at Stella Niagara. Again more resource came through from
other outside sources. The fund remains and is still periodically available when a client need is present not
met through other resources.
The Task Force began World AIDS Day annual recognition in 1994 initially there were walks, forums, library displays, legislative and community breakfasts and luncheons, candlelight vigils, and presentations of proclamations from the Niagara County Legislature, cities of Niagara Falls, Lockport, and North Tonawanda. There was also a scheduled event for the Mayors of both cities of Niagara Falls to meet on the Rainbow Bridge for international unity and recognition of World AIDS Day along with the lighting of the Falls in blue and red.
The AIDS Network serves as the 501 (c)(3) pass through for the NCATF. The AIDS Network began as a small group of committed service providers discussing a relatively new disease and related care services in the 1980's. The unified group incorporated in 1991 as a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation within the State of New York. Funding has been received since 1990 from the New York State Department of Health, AIDS Institute through Title II of the Ryan White CARE Act legislation; and through private donations.
The AIDS Network’s mission is to actively develop, promote and advocate a community based coordinated response to HIV/AIDS through a partnership of all people dedicated to HIV/AIDS issues. Our vision is to be a Network of representative membership and informed leaders who will prioritize regional needs, work at raising community awareness and collaborate to acquire resources to meet the needs of our community in response to HIV/AIDS. For More information about the AIDS Network, follow this link.
The Niagara County AIDS Task Force current membership includes: