About | Overview

A Brief History

ACORN

The History of A Community Resource Network

When HIV/AIDS first appeared in the Upper Valley, neither our medical community nor our social service agencies were prepared to meet the needs of those affected by the killer virus. Additionally, misinformation, rampant fear and prejudice created a climate that was so hostile few people felt safe enough to talk about their Condition. Fortunately, a diverse and compassionate group of volunteers came together in 1988 to find ways to help those afflicted with AIDS; together they established ACORN.

Since that time, ACORN has evolved into a comprehensive and professional AIDS service organization that has supported hundreds of HIV positive people and their affected family members. We offer case management, support groups, assistance with transportation to medical appointments, and emergency financial help for housing, food, clothing and medical needs. We also offer non-invasive, oral HIV test; ACORN has three certified HIV counselors and testers. ACORN provides its services to anyone living in Windsor and Orange Counties of Vermont and Grafton and Sullivan in New Hampshire.

ALL OF OUR SERVICES ARE FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL.

In the year 2004, ACORN changed it’s name and mission statement in order to include services to those both infected and affected by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). ACORN’s staff and Board of Directors became increasingly aware that HCV had become the leading blood borne pandemic in the United and States, as well as the world and that greater numbers of those co-infected with HCV and HIV were dying. ACORN has begun to apply its years of knowledge and experience in combating our rural HIV epidemic to now facing the challenges of HCV.

In addition to supporting people who are already directly infected with HIV and/or HCV, ACORN’s mission includes stopping the spread of these viruses through a variety of community outreach and educational programs and services. Most recently, ACORN staff has begun to directly target prevention services to those who inject drugs and their sexual partners. In addition, ACORN is working closely with Dartmouth College, Plymouth State University as well as area high schools as part of an intensive educational program.

Both epidemics of HIV and HCV are escalating rapidly among those who inject drugs in our communities. Recently ACORN staff with support from the Board of Directors established the first “needle exchange program” ever provided in our catchment area. This move represents ACORN’s ongoing commitment to grow and shift its priorities and services in order to continue succeeding in accomplishing our founding member’s mission in the service of our communities.

ACORN provides case management services to more than 70 persons infected with HIV.

In addition, the agency provides services to more than 300 persons affected by HIV as well as providing Education/Outreach and Prevention Services to an estimated 12,000 individuals each year. A recent workshop that the agency conducted at Dartmouth College attracted more than 1,000 individuals and the agency regularly provides programs for area high schools, colleges and universities.

The agency began a Needle Exchange Program in the fall of 2006. Because of the large numbers of clients who have co-infections, this new program was felt to be a necessity as the agency expanded its scope and Mission.

During the first 6 months, more than 800 needles were exchanged and there were numerous referrals to Methadone clinics and other treatment facilities. The success of this program was such that initially it was conducted once a week (Thursday). The response was such that an additional day (Tuesday) was added.

Because of the Needle Exchange Program, ACORN has acquired new HIV clients as the agency has urged participants to be tested not only for Hepatitis-C but for HIV. This program has value and the results in the first six months have been impressive. Our Prevention and Education Director and Coordinator have also adopted some new innovative approaches to reaching individuals to educate, inform, and test: Social Network Testing; where intravenous drug users bring others to be counseled and tested; Searchlight Project; posting our available services in MSM chat rooms so that individuals can ask questions anonymously; Healthy Relationships – a program provided in the Windsor County House of Corrections for Women – to help them learn, break old patterns and develop skills for healthy relationships once released.

ACORN is actively “looking outside the box” as federal and state funding resources continue to be cut. There is no cure for HIV and HIV is spreading especially among 18 – 26 year olds. We ask for your support to be able to keep our services for our clients, offer counseling and testing as well as risk reduction to individuals, and most importantly to provide education to the greater public.

Please feel free to visit our website at www.acornvtnh.org or call with any questions you may have at 603-448-8887.

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