July 1, 2011
AAC to merge with Strongest Link
Kevin Mark Kline READ TIME: 2 MIN.
The AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts (AAC) plans to merge with Strongest Link AIDS Services, Inc., the organizations announced in a joint statement Tuesday, June 28.
The merger will be effective July 1, 2011.
"The nature and quality of our services will continue as they always have: case management services in Essex County will remain intact, the Cornerstone Wellness Center in Lynn will continue, and staff will remain on board. Strongest Link will function, in essence, as a program of AIDS Action," said Elizabeth E. Johnson, Director of Program Operations for AIDS Action and formerly the executive director of Strongest Link. "Our commitment to providing compassionate support services to individuals infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in Essex County has not wavered. This merger will permit us to continue the important work we started in 1988 with the founding of Strongest Link to empower people with HIV and AIDS in Essex County to live better lives."
One in six Massachusetts residents living with HIV or AIDS benefits from the support and services offered by AIDS Action. Strongest Link provides peer support, case management and wellness services to people living with HIV/AIDS in Essex County.
"This is about consolidating resources so we can maintain services for people with HIV and AIDS. Strongest Link provides critical services to people living with AIDS in Essex County and the new, combined agency will keep that commitment," said Rebecca Haag, President & CEO of AIDS Action Committee. "The merger will ensure the availability of services for people living with HIV in Essex County for as long as they are needed."
The AAC merged last year with Cambridge Cares About AIDS, and the combined organization consists of about 140 employees. According to the press release, last year's merger -- and the new merger combining the AAC with Strongest Link -- "have eliminated redundancies, reduced administrative expenses, and freed up resources for services for people living with HIV/AIDS."
For more information, please visit www.aac.org.
