Participating Organization Spotlight - Nashville CARES
Feb 6, 2008
Nashville CARES is Tennessee’s leading community-based AIDS service organization. “Its Mission is to promote and participate in a comprehensive and compassionate response to HIV and AIDS through education, advocacy, and supportive services. The doors of CARES are open to anyone affected by HIV and AIDS in need of comfort.”
This is possible because of the generous support of our community. Government grants only partially underwrite many programs. Service and education programs also rely upon corporate, foundation, individual, and religious gifts, and special events revenue. Volunteers give thousands of hours of support to programs, events, and other facets of agency operations.
Currently, Nashville Cares is very active across Alignment Nashville committees, participating in both grade level and health committees. Patrick Luther is the Vice Chair of the Developing Community Leaders Committee and sits on the Children’s Health–Adolescent Sexual Responsibility and Youth Development Committees.
History
Nashville CARES began at a meeting held in August of 1985 at the Life Styles Health Clinic. During that meeting, a group discussed the appearance of AIDS in the Nashville gay community. Many in attendance had friends and family member who had AIDS. They decided to form a group committed to educating about the disease and offering support to those living it. In October 1985 the group adopted the name “Council on AIDS, Resources, Education and Support” (CARES). Nashville CARES was incorporated as a 501©(3) nonprofit organization that same month. AIDS has remained the primary focus of the organization since that time. The Board of Directors formally changed CARES to mean “Community AIDS Resources, Education and Services” to recognize its origins and confirm its grassroots commitment in 2004.
To learn more about Nashville CARES, visit Nashville CARES.
