Massachusetts: AIDS Services Merge

Two major AIDS service providers in Boston merged effective July 1 as a way to cut costs and increase efficiency.

Client services through AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts (AAC) and Cambridge Cares About AIDS (CCA) will not be reduced and may be enhanced as a result of the merger, said Rebecca Haag, president and CEO of AAC.

"It offers clients at each of the organizations new locations that exist within the broader network. [Clients] don't have to reapply, and they don't have to fill out more paperwork. It's all under one umbrella for them," Haag said.

The first year after the merger will be dedicated to stabilizing the organization and ensuring the reliable delivery of client services, Haag said. After that, the new organization, dubbed AIDS Action, will boost its focus on addressing social and economic issues that affect the HIV epidemic.

"We're dealing with populations that are experiencing significant other issues prior to becoming HIV-positive, for example, guys who are underground with their homosexuality, or domestic violence," Haag said. AIDS Action plans to partner with substance abuse groups, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and women's organizations.

"We want to broaden the connections so we can strengthen the coalition," Haag said.

The merger was supported financially by the Boston Foundation, which enlisted the assistance of the New Sector Alliance, a national social impact and leadership development consulting firm.

"I encourage other nonprofits to look at merger models to preserve precious resources for the folks that we're engaged with," Haag said.

Back to other news for July 2010