HOW IT ALL BEGAN:
To our BEAT AIDS supporters and the Community at Large:
BEAT AIDS is very proud of the 24 years of service in Bexar and surrounding counties. The agency began as a small grassroots response to the apparent disparity of STD’s among African American and other minority women by Mel Johnson, an African American nurse at the San Antonio health department at the time. Now, BEAT AIDS has grown to be the largest HIV/AIDS prevention organization in San Antonio with more than 20 employees focused solely on risk reduction counseling, testing, and group level prevention strategies. BEAT AIDS also provides prevention messages to HIV positive individuals through referrals to medical case management and as part of our health insurance continuation, mental health, and substance abuse programs. At the heart of BEAT AIDS is prevention of acquiring or transmitting HIV/AIDS and other STD’s. We not only offer the 20 minute rapid Ora-Quick test for HIV antibodies, but also the blood draw confirmatory test for HIV, syphilis testing, and Hepatitis C testing. All of our services are confidential and at no cost to the client. Data shows that about 1/3 of the people who are HIV positive and know it go to the doctor; another 1/3 of the people who are HIV positive and know it don’t go to the doctor, Finally the last 1/3 of the people who are HIV positive don’t even know it! It is because of this disheartening information that we continue to encourage everyone between the ages 0 and 99 to get educated, get tested, and get treated!!!
If there is anything we can do for you, we are here and available. Please don’t hesitate to call one of our very experienced, well trained, confidential, and friendly staff.
MISSION:
The BEAT AIDS mission is to provide the highest HIV/AIDS prevention, education and services reaching out to the community.
VISION:
BEAT AIDS promotes community wide understanding of the impact of the HIV/AIDS disease.
VALUES:
• Care of People
• Client Empowerment
• Non-Judgmental Attitudes
• Positive Environment
• Trust and Honesty
