Chattanooga C a R E S Inc

Chattanooga CARES is the Tennessee Valley’s primary nonprofit agency dedicated to preventing the spread of new HIV infections while at the same time providing AIDS resources. CARES mission is to provide education, prevention, and support for all people affected by HIV in the Tennessee Valley.

 

In 1986, CARES was created by a small group of concerned men and women in response to the devastation the HIV/AIDS epidemic was producing in southeast Tennessee. In 1986, CARES was mostly focused on providing end-of-life care as well as prevention efforts. Today, CARES is the third largest community based HIV organization in Tennessee, and is governed by a dedicated board of directors, employs 20 staff members, and utilizes the efforts of over 300 volunteers.

 

CARES provides a variety of HIV services. Primary care services, including comprehensive primary health care, substance abuse and mental health services, adherence counseling, patient education, nutritional services, and specialty medical services are offered in a single clinic setting on-site. Furthermore, client services are also available. These services include one on one case management, support services, assistance with rent/mortgages, utilities, food, eye exams, medicine support groups, client education and job placement. Last year, CARES provided over $130,000 dollars in direct client support. Finally, CARES provides prevention education programs to over 20,000 people a year and free rapid HIV tests to over 1,500.