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5. HIV and the Faith Community The American faith community is a trusted and established institution that has been providing information, support, and services to its constituencies since the beginning of the HIV epidemic. The diversity of religions, beliefs, and practices that make up the faith community offers a wide and far reaching network to distribute prevention messages and offer care and support services to communities that may be in need of these resources. When offering HIV prevention, care, and support services, faith-based organizations that utilize scientifically evaluated programs and non-discriminatory models will be well equipped to meet the needs of their communities. As the federal government continues to implement its faith-based initiative, new monies must be provided in order to support the initiative’s additional programs and services. AIDS Action will work with its members, coalition partners, and the Administration to encourage the participation of communities of faith in HIV prevention, care and support services. [back to introduction] |