Maine: Merger Combines AIDS Services

Financial pressures are forcing two of Maine's largest AIDS organizations to merge. Hoping to save money without sacrificing services, the AIDS Project and Peabody House announced last week that they are coming together to create the Frannie Peabody Center.

"This is the beginning of a journey that will provide better, more comprehensive services to our clients, with reduced administrative expenses," said Shelley Broader, president of the AIDS Project's board of directors. "From our clients' point of view, this will offer a single point of entry to our services."

The new center, named for Maine's pioneering AIDS activist, the late Frances W. "Frannie" Peabody, will provide a range of services to people with HIV/AIDS, including advocacy, case management, housing and hospice care. Officials have not decided whether the organizations will physically merge or continue to operate at separate locations. The AIDS Project provides housing, prevention education and support services in Cumberland and York counties, and has a $1.2 million budget. Peabody House spends $800,000 a year to care for people in the advanced stages of AIDS. None of the AIDS Project's 18 employees or Peabody House's 19 nurses and caseworkers will be affected by the merger, but two open positions at Peabody House -- executive director and development director -- will not be filled.

The AIDS Project, was recently granted a onetime reduction of its rent. Building owner Matt Orne lowered the organization's rent this year from $60,000 to $46,800. Christopher Behan, co- founder of Peabody House, said Peabody, who died in June at age 98, knew that the organizations were discussing a merger and supported the move. Peabody started working on AIDS issues after her grandson Peter Von Lehn died from the disease. She founded both the AIDS Project and Peabody House. "Frannie was not afraid to take bold steps when they were necessary," Behan said. "Her spirit is very much a part of this new organization that bears her name."

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