Who are your Friends?
Mission: To support people living with HIV and vulnerable community members in need of comprehensive clinical and supportive services through compassionate and personalized care.
Vision: To provide comprehensive preventive health services and sexual health education by striving to be the leading community resource to those experiencing barriers to services while increasing HIV/STI awareness, prevention, and treatment.
Our Story
Central Illinois Friends was founded by a local group of individuals who were concerned about the response to the AIDS epidemic both nationally and locally. These individuals, who were made up of strangers both positive and affected by HIV, quickly became friends and officially became a not for profit in 1990 known as Central Illinois Friends of PWA Inc. Through the years Friends has adapted and grown to be the support, resource center, advocates, and community for people living with and who have been affected by HIV in the 16 counties of Central Illinois. Friends has also evolved into a public health organization offering free services such as comprehensive sexual education, linking individuals to the proper care, and providing HIV, Hepatitis C, and STI testing anywhere in Central Illinois. Today, while providing these free essential services, we serve as the safe space for all people living with and affected by HIV