North Carolina: Metrolina AIDS Project Closing

The poor economy and management struggles have closed a 25-year-old AIDS service organization in Charlotte.

In announcing the shutdown, Metrolina AIDS Project officials did not give a timetable for the closure, or say how clients will be served beyond that point. Key contributors to MAP's estimated $2.6 million budget are the United Way, CDC, and the federal Health Resources and Services Administration.

Another local AIDS service organization, the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network, is bracing to absorb as many as 300 Metrolina clients, said network founder and leader the Rev. Deborah Warren.

"We're going to help. We're going to do everything to make sure that MAP closing won't leave people without the valuable resources they need," Warren said.

MAP's announcement comes after a series of challenges in recent years:

• MAP's executive director, Dr. Jose Diaz, resigned in late October after a five-day suspension. The reason for the suspension and resignation were not disclosed.
• The organization has been on probation from United Way since May of this year. United Way's contribution to MAP this fiscal year was down by 63 percent from the previous year.
• In 2008, MAP ran into difficulties using federal funds to open an HIV clinic. In March, the clinic began offering services three days per week.
• In April, MAP employees twice received paychecks late.

MAP board Chair Shawn Lancaster deferred questions about the events leading up to the closure: "When the time is appropriate, the agency may, and I stress the word 'may,' release additional details about the situation." He said current economic conditions constituted a "significant portion" of reason for the closing.

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