Under the direction of Dr. Scott, there has been an increase in the number of volunteers in the AIDS Ministry. The goal of the membership is to be responsive to both the physical needs of individuals who are HIV positive and the spiritual needs of individuals and families affected by HIV. The theme of the Ministry is "nothing can separate us from the love of God."

In the winter of 1993, the Allen Temple AIDS Ministry formed collaboration -%with The Ark of Refuge HIV Programs, to assist with "Walker House." The Walker House is a facility in East Oakland that provides a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary system of HIV services including emergency and long term supportive housing, food, nutrition services, and case management to meet the needs of low-income and no-income persons in Alameda County. Walker House is now the only licensed Residential Care Facility Cooperative in Alameda County. In 19941, Allen Temple's Housing and Economic Development Corporation drafted a grant proposal to HUD for the development of 24 new units of housing for people who are living with AIDS. This funding was successfully awarded to Allen Temple in 1995. These funds were the first to be awarded to an African American congregation in the United States. The AIDS Ministry was responsible for providing all the statistical data on AIDS cases for the proposal, and continues to play a role in the development of the supportive services plan for the site. Today, the site is under construction and scheduled for completion in January 1999. The members of the AIDS Ministry have been active in the efforts to educate the African American community about the AIDS epidemic. In December 1994, in conjunction with the Vesper Society they sponsored a World AIDS Day Celebration. In March 1995 the AIDS Ministry hosted the service for the Black Church National Day of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS. Over fifteen churches in the Bay Area participated in this service. The AIDS Ministry continues to celebrate the two events on an annual basis. In addition, .the American Baptist Churches, USA has included the Allen Temple AIDS Ministry in a television educational tape which they are using nationally to encourage churches to touch AIDS patients with Christ's love.

The Allen Temple AIDS Ministry joined the Vameda County AIDS Interfaith Coalition in 1995 in a project to assist other churches to establish AIDS Ministries. ' -The AIDS Ministry recently received a grant award to fund a part time Volunteer Coordinator position. We are actively recruiting for this position which will be the only paid staff position for the AIDS Ministry. The Volunteer Coordinator will provide the overall leadership to the AIDS Ministry volunteer services program including coordination, recruitment, screening, training, supervision, development, and evaluation of all agency volunteers and services. This position will be expected to promote spirituality based delivery of services to persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families.

The organizational structure of the AIDS Ministry is volunteer based, There are two co-chairs that are responsible to the majority of work that is done with the volunteer staff. The Ministry itself falls into the Mission/Outreach department of the church. Currently, the church has provided a yearly budget of $3500.00. For more Information about the Allen Temple Baptist Church, please contact; Gloria Cox Crowell