New organization will begin operations July 1, 2010
A note from Executive Directors Rebecca Haag and John Gatto
March 2, 2010
(BOSTON, MA) -- In an historic move designed to improve services for those infected, affected and at risk for HIV/AIDS, the boards of AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, Inc. (AAC) and Cambridge Cares About AIDS (CCA) have voted to merge their organizations into a single agency which will transform the service delivery model in the greater Boston/Cambridge metropolitan area.
The combined agency, which has not yet been named, will begin operations on July 1. Among the immediate benefits to clients are centralized intake at any location, access to a broad network of specialty programs and experts, and increased consumer input and participation. The vote by the two boards follows 10 months of work involving the staff of the two agencies as well as consumer and other stakeholders.
At the same time, leadership at both AAC and CCA said that other organizations serving the HIV/AIDS community have been involved in discussions to transform the delivery system and are likely to join the effort over time through agreements and contractual relationships.
“Our discussions have always been motivated by our desire to improve the health outcomes for those that we serve and to be more effective in stopping new infections,” said John Gatto, the Executive Director of CCA. “We talked to hundreds of stakeholders, had significant input from our consumers and staff, and have built our plans around those collective ideas. All of us believe that a better integrated system will greatly improve the effectiveness of services across Greater Boston and Cambridge.”
The merger of these two historically strong providers will also result in greater efficiency and ensure sustainability of a system that is faced with persistent public and private funding constraints. The management platform will be strengthened under the merger, and by combining administrative expenses, funds can be redirected to services and programs and to reaching underserved populations.
“For many years we have been hearing from our public and private funders the desire for nonprofit organizations to reduce administrative costs and leverage the management capacity that exists," said Rebecca Haag, CEO of AAC. "This merger directly responds to that challenge. By combining the expertise and experience of both organizations, we have created a broader array of services on a stronger management platform, making the new agency more competitive for future private and public funding opportunities.”
Additionally, the expanded mission of the new organization better positions it to tackle the root causes of HIV/AIDS. Building on the historical social justice work of both organizations, it will forge important alliances to focus on improving health inequities and tackling poverty, racism, homophobia, sexism, transphobia and other social ills that ultimately drive this epidemic. And by building a stronger public policy and advocacy capabilities, the combined organization will provide legal support for individuals faced with stigma, discrimination or administrative barriers that reduce their ability to remain healthy, and expand grassroots initiatives for those infected, affected and at risk for HIV/AIDS.
AAC and CCA will work together over the next several months to finalize all legal documents, merge financial and management systems, and complete all necessary implementation tasks. After conducting due diligence, the boards will finalize all legal documents in June. The combined operation is expected to be fully operational by July, 2010.
The merger decision is the result of a strategic alliance process funded by The Boston Foundation which provided the assistance of New Sector Alliance, a national social impact consulting and leadership development consulting firm. CCA and AAC have a long history of working together on behalf of their clients and in public policy and advocacy activities. The process has already realized benefits through joint pursuit of funding opportunities, shared expertise, and cross referral of clients to programs that each agency is uniquely qualified to deliver.
About AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts
Founded in 1983, AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, Inc. (AAC), is New England’s first and largest AIDS organization. Its mission is stop the spread of HIV/AIDS by preventing new infections and optimizing the health of those already infected. AAC accomplishes that mission by providing services for men, women and children living with AIDS and HIV; educating the public and health professionals about how to prevent HIV transmission; and advocating for fair and effective AIDS policy at the city, state and federal levels. AIDS Action runs the only statewide AIDS/STD Hotline (1-800-235-2331) and Hepatitis Hotline (1-888-443-4372). All Hotlines offer multilingual support. Free and confidential rapid HIV testing and counseling is also available. Learn more at www.aac.org.
About Cambridge Cares About AIDS
Cambridge Cares About AIDS is a community-based organization working at the intersection of social and economic inequality with HIV/AIDS, providing accessible prevention, education, advocacy, and support services in accordance with harm reduction principles. Since 1989 CCA has delivered programs that recognize the impact of culture, language, identity, and stigma on the people we serve. CCA’s Client Services programs extend easily accessible services to people who are living with HIV/AIDS, in order to improve health outcomes and help people meet self-identified goals. CCA’s Prevention and Education programs provide peer-led outreach and proven programming to populations with the highest risk for HIV/AIDS, including homeless and street-involved youth, injection drug users, transgender women, and men who have sex with men. Last year, CCA served over 3,000 people in the greater Boston area. Learn more at www.ccaa.org.
