Dunn K, Pedrin-Gizoni M, Williams N
Issue: Homeless people with HIV/AIDS live without shelter and medical care as well as have little opportunity to increase their feelings of self worth by making a productive contribution to mainstream society. Project: This project involves not only traditional HIV/AIDS outreach and case management for homeless people but also focuses on placing homeless people with HIV/AIDS in paid and volunteer jobs in AIDS service organizations. Results: During the 4 years of operation of this project, over 300 homeless people with AIDS have received help getting housing, food, and social service benefits. In addition, 20 of these people have entered into longterm drug/alcohol recovery and have taken positions of responsibility in the AIDS service community as drug/alcohol counselors, outreach workers to other homeless people with HIV/AIDS, or AIDS activists. Lessons Learned: For many homeless people with HIV/AIDS, entry into the "AIDS community" gives them an opportunity to take positions of responsibility and make a productive contribution to others. For many people, this entry into an accepting community environment is a key element in ending lifelong drug/alcohol use as well as criminal behavior.