Inspiration
Since the beginning of the AIDS era, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) have been leaders in the creation of the system of medical treatment, services and public support for HIV/AIDS that exists today.
Despite these efforts, much work remains to be done, especially in North Carolina where PLWHA are an underutilized resource in advocacy, planning and service delivery efforts.
Inspired by the first generation of advocates, the North Carolina Council for Positive Living (Positive Living) was formed in 2001 to help PLWHA move from being passive recipients of care to active participants in "this life and death struggle."
Involvement
Who are we?
Positive Living is the first consumer-led and focused, statewide voice on HIV issues in North Carolina.
Why do we exist?
Our mission is to encourage the active and meaningful involvement of PLWHA at every level of planning and delivery of HIV-related services and to advocate for policies that provide necessary prevention and care resources and protect the rights of PLWHA. Our mission is accomplished through leadership development, education and public policy advocacy.
What do we do?
Leadership Development - Positive Living prepares PLWHA - through training institutes and educational materials - to become self advocates and leaders within local service organizations. Through this activity, the agency also assures its members of representation on statewide policy committees and task forces.
Education - Positive Living provides education throughout the state. Educational activities include consumer education, technical assistance to organizations and planning bodies and mentoring. In the fight against HIV/AIDS, education is critical for the purpose of raising awareness, fighting stigma and discrimination, training consumers to be advocates, and providing specific information and resources. Positive Living maintains the state's only comprehensive statewide online directory of HIV-related resources.
Public Policy Advocacy - Positive Living convenes and facilitates the North Carolina AIDS Action Network (NCAAN), a network of individuals representing PLWHA, organizations, corporations, and governmental agencies from across the state of North Carolina. NCAAN is committed to political action and positioning as pursuant to issues regarding HIV/AIDS on a local, state and national level.
Impact
Inspired? Get involved and become a member of Positive Living! Membership is open to all individuals and organizations that support the mission of Positive Living. As a member you are guaranteed timely information on HIV prevention, care and public policy issues, strong advocacy at the state and national levels and a host of other benefits. Becoming a member is simple; just contact:
Positive Living
537-B Huffman Mill Road
Burlington, NC 27515
(336) 586-0062
(800) 924-3193
membership@ncpositiveliving.org
Phone 800-924-3193