Our Work
A Comprehensive Approach To Combating HIV/AIDS
The Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund (OACF) is committed to a comprehensive approach to combat HIV/AIDS in Oklahoma. It is understood that the HIV services in Oklahoma are only as strong as their providers. OACF supports its HIV service partners by insuring they have the resources and tools needed for developing and maintaining their community-based initiatives.
The generosity of our patrons who support us through donating, attending Red Tie Night and volunteering are the foundation of our organization and allow us to pursue our Education and Prevention programs.
Some of our programs and recent accomplishments are:
- Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund Emergency Assistance program. Read more….
- Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund Education Program
- Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund HIV/AIDS Quick Test Funding Program
- Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund sponsors the OACF HIV Networking Meetings. These meetings take place 6 times per year at the American Red Cross building in OKC. This forum is designed to advance community collaboration and information sharing among HIV/AIDS service partners. These meetings average 60 to 80 attendees and include members of the Dept. of Health, Mental Health, Dept. of Corrections, The City of Oklahoma City, and many HIV service agencies and volunteer groups.
- OACF provided financial resources to the collaborative efforts of all the Oklahoma HIV service agencies, State Health Dept. and local volunteers to provide HIV awareness and testing to the Gay community during Gay Pride Festival. These events annually draw 25-30,000 people from all over the state. Planning is currently underway for this year’s event.
- OACF provided resources and worked with the Oklahoma Native American AIDS Coalition, Oklahoma Gay Natives organization and Native artist, Frank Sheridan (who provided the artwork) to develop a billboard HIV testing campaign that targeted the Native American Community. This effort was highlighted on the IHS website and stated “This may be the first billboard of its kind to promote HIV screening to the American Indian / Alaska Native (AI/AN) population and is a wonderful example of how advocacy, open discussion and raising awareness can have potential positive impact on future AI/AN health. “
- OACF worked with the Latino community to design and fund a Spanish language HIV testing and awareness campaign, specifically targeting the Latino community.
- OACF is working with the OACF African American Education Group to develop and fund an awareness campaign targeting the African American (AA) community. The group designed an advertisement that ran throughout 2008-2009 in 3 movie theaters located in Oklahoma City. OACF has funded bus shelter and bus bench advertisements that contain an HIV Testing message targeted to the AA community. Targeting the AA community of faith, the media group developed agreements with 19 metro pastors to preach an HIV/AIDS related sermon and to offer prayer for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. In return, they were given a black satin sash with red ribbons embroidered at the ends to wear throughout the year to recognize HIV/AIDS awareness days. Pastors were also given packets of educational information, church program inserts and promotional church fans that highlighted statistics and test site information. The group continues to work to develop creative and collaborative efforts targeting the AA community.
- OACF has developed multiple media campaigns targeting high-risk populations. All campaigns use the 211 helpline number to screen calls. 211 received funding from OACF to answer calls generated by the campaign and to make referrals to the appropriate agency for testing and other HIV/AIDS services. To insure the agencies had the resources to service the increased demand for testing, OACF purchased HIV test kits and used a health department employee to provide outreach training. All agencies using the kits were trained on how to effectively utilize them. Oklahoma State Health Department employees work closely with OACF to insure the agencies follow health department protocol for all testing.