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Founded in 1985 as the Lancaster AIDS Project, AIDS Community Alliance now represents the unification of three of Pennsylvania's original HIV/AIDS service and education providers -- Lancaster AIDS Project (LAP), South Central AIDS Assistance Network (SCAAN), and the AIDS program of Lebanon Family Health Services. All of the programs began as community-based efforts to address the immediate and growing needs of individuals, families, and communities living with and impacted by HIV. Today, ACA continues this tradition by helping those impacted by HIV and AIDS with compassionate, responsive, and confidential services and education programming. Throughout the summer and fall of 2009, the board of directors of AIDS Community Alliance engaged in an important debate about the future direction of the Agency. After 25 years of focusing exclusively upon the needs of individuals living with HIV and AIDS in South Central Pennsylvania, should the Agency continue to focus exclusively upon the challenges of HIV care and prevention? Or, should ACA expand and use the skills and resources it has available to work toward addressing other challenges facing the communities we serve? In a culmination of the strategic planning process, members of the board of directors approved a new goal statement for AIDS Community Alliance. While fully committed to the continuation and expansion of the high-quality HIV/AIDS care and supportive services, HIV-related housing services, and HIV prevention programming, ACA will begin exploring ways to impact positively the health disparities experienced by populations that have traditionally been marginalized by the mainstream healthcare system. The development of services and programming will be guided by the new goal statement. ACA's Goal Statement - Approved February 18, 2010 Areas of Focus Marginalized Populations Defined We hope that you will join with us, working together to move forward with these exciting programmatic developments as ACA works to eliminate health disparities impacting the quality of life for members of the South Central Pennsylvania community. The Mission of AIDS Community Alliance AIDS Community Alliance of South Central Pennsylvania provides a network of services and programs focused on enhancing the health outcomes of individuals impacted by HIV/AIDS and members of the community who have traditionally been marginalized by the healthcare system. The Vision of AIDS Community Alliance As a powerful advocate for the health needs of individuals impacted by HIV/AIDS and members of communities traditionally marginalized by healthcare systems, AIDS Community Alliance creates an environment within South Central Pennsylvania that provides all members of the community with the access to high-quality health services and education, offering all an equal opportunity to achieve their desired quality of life. The Core Values of AIDS Community Alliance The core values of AIDS Community Alliance help to guide the decisions and actions of the organization and its staff. All services and programs should be reflective of the values upon which the agency's foundation is built. Client-Driven o Focused on the needs of the individuals and communities served Leadership o Integrity in programs, services and vision o Respect for all people and communities o Confidence in the skills, services and programs offered o Vision for the future Compassion o Empowering individuals, families and communities o Accepting of diversity in all forms and voices o Driven by a concern for the well-being of others Collaboration o Through partnerships we have the best opportunity at success o The work of all partners must be of high quality and credibility Service o Service to others rests at the heart of all programs |
