Rev. Jeff Peterson-Davis

Executive Director

The Atlanta Interfaith AIDS Network, Inc. (AIAN) is a coalition of churches, synagogues, temples, and worshiping communities that addresses the challenges of the HIV/AIDS pandemic from a faith perspective. The mission of AIAN is grounded in the belief that God does not use disease as punishment, that God is present for all those affected by disease, and that God wills dignity and fullness of life for all persons. Our programs and services seek to address needs of people infected with, affected by, or at risk of HIV/AIDS and to motivate and empower faith communities to respond to the pandemic through educational programs and compassionate ministries.

Founded in 1989, the mission and programs of AIAN remain unique among agencies providing service to people living with HIV/AIDS in metropolitan Atlanta. At the present time, AIAN is comprised of three well-established programs:

Common Ground, now in its ninth year of continuous operation, provides spiritual, emotional, psychological, and practical support in a communal setting to people living with HIV/AIDS. Although "'day activity program" does not fully describe the depth and breadth of Common Ground, it remains the only such program in the Atlanta area offering these services to its participants every week, Monday through Friday. Each day participants are provided opportunities for spiritual enrichment, fellowship, activities that enhance self-esteem, and plenty of chances for laughter and joy. Lunch Ministry congregations provide nourishment for both body and soul as the community shares a meal together each day. Common Ground seeks to create an atmosphere where participants and volunteers can move beyond fear to healing and beyond isolation to service.

Faithful Care is the agency's congregation- and community organization-based care team project. Begun in March 1994 with no budget and no full-time staff person, the program has become a vital and comprehensive program of non-judgmental, compassionate care to persons living with AIDS. Equipped with helpful training, teams of 6 - 8 people commit to one another and to a care receiver to provide practical support for a person who is homebound with AIDS. Whether it is warming a meal in the microwave, doing a load of laundry, checking in via the telephone, or simply sitting and holding a needy hand, the support provided by Faithful Care teams contributes to a much better quality of life. Together, Common Ground and Faithful Care provide a strong system of support and care for persons living with HIV/AIDS and their primary care-givers and families.

AIAN continues to offer a variety of educational programs and opportunities to the community, particularly to Atlanta's diverse communities of faith. These efforts are designed to provide awareness of issues surrounding HIV/AIDS, to provide education to prevent the spread of HIV infection, and to encourage support and involvement in programs that serve people living with HIV/AIDS. These activities include congregation-based programs, community-wide forums, college and seminary courses, training for hospital chaplains and leaders of faith communities, Care Team training, technical assistance for congregations to establish their own AIDS ministries, and consultation with other interfaith and faith-based agencies across the country who are using this agency and programs as models for their own initiatives. We frequently lead congregation-wide forums, Sunday School classes (adult and youth), provide programs for youth groups, and provide worship leadership in the form of preaching and/or moments for mission. We seek to be a useful resource for the ministries and outreach of local congregations.

Congregations who join our interfaith network enter into a covenant agreement with AIAN. This covenant provides a framework for the expectations between congregations and the network. A copy of this covenant is attached. AIAN plays an important role in the spectrum of care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS in metropolitan Atlanta. The 16 major AIDS Service Organizations in Atlanta work diligently to provide complimentary services and avoid duplication of programs. Of course there is some territorial posturing, but for the most part our efforts are coordinated. AIAN's piece of "the pie" is spiritual support, pastoral care, care teams, and outreach/education with faith communities. In turn, we make referrals to other agencies with both those in need of services and those interested in volunteering in areas we do not offer. This coordination is very beneficial and somewhat unique in communities as large as Atlanta. There are several significant issues that we face as we seek to most effectively implement our agency"s mission. These issues include:

The changing face of HIV/AIDS.

As HIV/AIDS affects more African Americans and other people of color, women, and youth, the services and resources must change to meet the particular needs of these individuals.

Burnout. Many people who have been working in the trenches for so many years are very weary. We need to provide support for these care givers and volunteers, and also to seek new resources and volunteers.

Funding. Funding for non-medical HIV/AIDS support services is diminishing. Many of our faithful donors are tired of this epidemic and want to put their resources into non-HIV/AIDS causes. Many foundations are turning their efforts to other issues. We need to generate new passion and vision for funding and seek creative ways to support HIV/AIDS programs and services.

Perception. Many have misunderstood the recent treatment advances (i.e. protease inhibitors) as a "'cure" for AIDS. This translates into more at-risk behavior, as many perceive that AIDS is no longer a threat. It also results in a pervasive attitude that "the crisis is over," causing many to move their attention away from HIV/AIDS. Our education efforts are more critical now than ever before. Loss of hope. Many who are still in the midst of the challenges of living with HIV/AIDS are feeling abandoned once again. As public perception and support swings away from the HIV/AIDS pandemic, many are left in the wake of the move to other causes. Additionally, those who are experiencing failures of their drug therapies are facing new depression and fear. Many have been led to believe that their lives will be sustained indefinitely and have placed their hope in a near-normal life span. As the virus mutates and treatments are rendered ineffectual, many are experiencing new and deeper hopelessness and despair. The need for spiritual and emotional support with these emerging crises is critical.

The Atlanta Interfaith AIDS Network is committed to providing its programs and services as long as the needs exist. While there are many issues that can threaten our ability to continue these ministries, we understand that we are called to this mission. We maintain a confidence and abiding faith that as long as we are doing that to which we are called, the means will be available to fulfill that calling. The issues that we face at the end of 1998 are not really new, and are not unique to AIAN. These challenges serve to motivate us into new and creative ways to meet the needs that HIV/AIDS continues to present.

Finally, it is important to comment about our presence in the community as an interfaith enterprise. Atlanta is a diverse and multi-faith city. While there are many important and very effective ecumenical alliances and agencies, there are few examples of truly interfaith cooperative efforts. The Atlanta Interfaith AIDS Network stands out as a unique example of interfaith collaboration in this multi-faceted city. From our annual Interfaith Service of Hope and Healing for people living with HIV/AIDS to the daily lunch ministry of our day program, people with very diverse religious beliefs participate in the spiritual, emotional, and practical support of people living with HIV/AIDS. If there are blessings that come from even the darkest realities, one such blessing is the common ground we discover as we come together in our wonderful diversity to address the challenges of HIV/AIDS. It is this common ground that becomes holy ground.