About Us

Connecting, Supporting, Making a Difference!

The Portland Area Global AIDS Coalition (PAGAC) is a grassroots network connecting the over two hundred local organizations which address issues of HIV/AIDS, global health and global poverty, both here in Portland and around the world. They include faith based organizations, school clubs, chapters of national advocacy organizations and more. They vary in size from large organizations such as Mercy Corps to one person crusades. The work of the member organizations varies from providing direct health care services to working in the arts, engaging in advocacy, educating women and children, working with micro-finance projects and more. Each organization strives to make an impact in the areas in which they work.

News

Mayor Adams to Proclaim May 7, 2012 World AIDS Orphans Day!

On Wednesday, May 2, 2012 Mayor Sam Adams will be proclaiming May 7, 2012 World AIDS Orphans Day in the City of Portland!

Join the festivities at 9:30am in City Council Chambers at Portland City Hall.

US HIV Treatment Guidelines--Give ARV's Regardless of CD4 Count

From Science Speaks: HIV & TB News, by Meredith Mazzotta

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released updated HIV treatment guidelines on March 27 which, among other things, maintain that all people living with HIV in the U.S. are now eligible to receive antiretroviral therapy (ART), regardless of CD4 cell count. Previous guidance recommended ART for those HIV-infected with a CD4 cell count at or below 350, as well as between 350 and 500, but did not have a recommendation for those with a CD4 count above 500.

“This revised recommendation is based on a growing body of evidence demonstrating the harmful effects of ongoing HIV replication and on the results of the [HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN)] 052 study,” said Charles B. Hicks, MD, from Duke University Medical Center in an article for Journal Watch AIDS Clinical Care. HPTN 052 demonstrated that ART reduces the likelihood of HIV transmission to an uninfected sexual partner by 96 percent. In the guidelines, the Prevention of Secondary HIV Transmission section is updated to reflect the HPTN 052 study and the role of ART in reducing transmission.

“Although not new, the more enthusiastic endorsement of ART for all reflects a recognition of the range of benefits of treatment coupled with longer-term safety and tolerability data on contemporary ART regimens,” Hicks said.

Read the entire article.

Tanzanian Schools Require HIV-Positive Students to Wear Red Ribbons

Michael Bochenek, Amnesty International's Legal and Policy Director, says, "The suggestion that forcing HIV-positive children to wear red ribbons will protect them is ludicrous." Amnesty international's recent post describes the policy that may do more harm than good. 

SAVE THE DATE! World AIDS Orphans Day Event

What: PAGAC Presents Our 5th Annual World AIDS Orphans Day Event

When: Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 6pm

Where: Mercy Corps Headquarters

Speakers: Lewis Picker, PhD, esteemed researcher at OHSU's Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and director of the Vaccine Program, whose non-human primate studies have lead to a promising vaccine for HIV in humans; Adam Bacher, renowned Portland photographer whose work with AIDS orphans in Rwanda will be highlighted during his talk on the resiliency of kids; and a national HIV/AIDS spokesperson will be our special guest speaker! We are honored again this year to have Michael Kaplan, CEO of Cascade AIDS Project as our moderator.

20 International NGOs will table and present information and at an amazing world market.

The event is catered by Art de Cuisine who will have their usual awesome savory hors d'oeuvres and sweet treats.

Please plan to join us for this informative and delightful evening that we call, a party with a heart!

Take 16 - It's Not Complicated: Money Will End AIDS

Take 16 minutes to view an inspiring and informative talk given by Stephen Lewis at the Dutch Postcode Lottery on February 9, 2012 and posted by AIDS-Free World.

Greater Than AIDS and National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day-February 7

More than 60 Black celebrities have united with GREATER THAN AIDS to bring attention to the severe and disproportionate epidemic facing Black Americans and reduce the stigma surrounding the disease. Black Americans account for half of the approximately 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in this country today – and 44 percent of new infections – while representing just 12 percent of the population.  Blacks are also more likely to die of AIDS as compared to other racial and ethnic groups.

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Join us in Supporting 'A Mother's Fight'

More than 1,000 children are infected with HIV every day. By providing counseling, testing and access to treatment services and medicines for expectant mothers, we can reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission drastically.


The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation works to ensure that more pregnant women promptly receive the treatments they need by improving the availability of HIV testing and counseling in pregnancy, as well as CD4 testing to determine their treatment eligibility and to assess their overall health status.

Click here to learn more about how to join 'A Mother's Fight'

Connect to us

How to register as an Organization

Please participate in growing the PAGAC community by including your organization in our directory and keeping the contact information updated.


If you are a new organization, please Create new account. Once you are approved, you will be able to add the details of your organization and will appear in our directory.


Log in below if you are already an approved organization.


 

   
  



 



        
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Meet Our Members

    
  

    

        
  
  
      

      


  
  

  

  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
Africa Bridge provides general education regarding HIV/AIDS to communities. They also provide support for families that care for AIDS orphans. They work with children in communities to determine what the greatest needs are and then work with the local community members to meet their needs.

  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
The Obo Addy Legacy Project formerly Homowo African Arts & Cultures, based in the Northwest, offers authentic experiences with the music and dance of Ghana, West Africa. We create cultural awareness and understanding through our educational offerings, concerts and performing groups that tour the world." 
  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
"Jubilee Oregon is a member of Jubilee USA Network and part of the world-wide Jubilee movement. We are an advocacy group focused on economic justice through reducing the crushing debt that many developing nations face, allowing them to focus instead on the public investments needed to spur economic growth." 
  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
Outside In provides medical and social services including: acute and chronic medical care, naturopathic and allopathic medical services, and dental and mental health services. They also provide community referrals, day programs and drop in centers for homeless and marginalized young people and adults. They have transitional housing projects, case management, harm reduction and employment programs.

  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
HHI designs and implements programs to train caregivers in early childhood development to improve the life situation for orphaned and vulnerable children. They work to improve the situation of children living in orphanages, refugee camps and impoverished or conflict stricken areas.

  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
With over 20 years of experience providing mental health and supportive services to HIV+ people living in the Portland Metropolitan area, Quest Center's (QC's) mission is to provide services, community, and education to low-income, at-risk people seeking a wellness-focused approach to living and dying.

  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
Our House provides residential care for people living with HIV/AIDS, including specialized nursing, social services and occupational therapy. They also provide referral services, housing services, personal care items, clothing and food.

  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
GPD supports sustainable community development projects in eastern Africa. Project areas include: clean water, health and medical care, education, livestock programs and women

  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
EWB Portland is a group of volunteers including: engineers, public health and medical professionals, architects, teachers and more. EWB works on a variety of engineering projects. They work to provide consulting and assessment services to help local communities develop sustainable projects. They also work in the implementation and design phases of projects involving technical engineering and construction by organizing contracted labor and volunteer work parties.

  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
In March of 2000, with the first International AIDS Conference to be held on the African continent approaching, a small group of Portlanders, seeking to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa, discovered that Portland had an African Sister-City: Mutare, Zimbabwe. Partnering with the Portland-Mutare Sister City, this group decided to hold a fundraiser with the goal of raising $20,000 to be delivered that June in support of grassroots AIDS efforts in rural Mutare.
  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
"The Global Health Center is a university-wide program that promotes interdisciplinary global health education, research, service and advocacy to reduce the burden of illness and injury at home and abroad." 
  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
CRPCA is the Portland, Oregon based member group of the National Peace Corps Association. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit which organizes service and educational activities in the Portland-Vancouver region, makes grants to support the communities we've worked in, and plans a myriad of events (9 per month, most of the year) to engage our 250+ members, most of whom are Returned Peace Corps Volunteers or currently serving Peace Corps Volunteers.
  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
EBZEF was started in honor and in memory of Elizabeth Bowers, a Peace Corps volunteer who died while working in Zambia. The fund was started by friends and family members of Elizabeth. EBZEF provides scholarships for women and girls in Zambia. They also provide life skills training and have worked to open a community library and learning center in Lumwana West.

  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
"The Ray of Hope Foundation is dedicated to creating grassroots community based projects that improve education, infrastructure and health services in Kenya. Our projects are guided by the aspirations and self-identified needs of the communities in our project areas." 
  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
MCP is a center for vulnerable children, many of whom have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. The center is open on a daily basis to provide children with educational support, nutritious meals, healthcare, psycho-social support, shelter improvements, vocational training and economic empowerment. They also help with clean water projects.

  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
CARE works on finding and fighting the underlying causes of poverty so that people can become self-sufficient. CARE places an emphasis on helping women by improving education, preventing the spread of HIV, improving access to clean water and helping survivors of natural disasters and war. They also work on economic projects and protecting natural resources. The majority of their programs cover the following areas: agriculture and natural resources, cost-cutting initiatives, economic development, education, emergency relief, health, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, clean water.

  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
"Established in 1995, Oregon Health and Science University/Partnership Project provides a comprehensive array of services to people living with HIV/AIDS, their families and those at-risk." 
  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
EMO HIV Services operates the HIV Day Center and the Daily Bread Express.   The HIV Day Center is a multi-service center serving low income individuals living with HIV/AIDS.  Services include meals, counseling, laundry and shower facilities, clothing, computers and telephones, foot care, acupuncture and much more while facilitating a welcoming and supportive peer community.  The Daily Bread Express provides home delivered meals to individuals home-bound with HIV/AIDS. 
  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. 
  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
HopeFirst Foundation provides assistance to AIDS orphans and other at-risk children. They also provide assistance for community-directed enrichment projects, and promote cultural exchange.

  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
The HIV Day Center is a drop-in center for low-income people living with HIV/AIDS.  Services include hot breakfasts and lunches, access to phones, a mail drop, computers with internet access, clothing, laundry, showers, and hygiene supplies.  A social worker/counselor is on staff and available by appointment or reservation.  Recreational activities such as field trips and games are also available.  Verification of HIV status required.  All services are free, call to schedule an intake appointment.
  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
The Imani Project focuses on three main areas: l) HIV/AIDS education, awareness, and prevention in schools, villages and trade centers, 2) Sponsorship of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS (they currently have 40 HIV/AIDS orphans sponsored), and 3) Compassionate Home Care Program for those living with HIV/AIDS, referrals for antiretroviral medication, HIV+ support group and counseling to provide emotional social support, nutritional counseling and financial support. The Imani Project also provides medical care to villagers in remote locations, as well as providing training to villagers in other public health related areas such as sanitation and water purification.

  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
CAP works in the Portland area on projects focusing on: community education, housing, HIV/AIDS testing, counseling, family and teen programs. They also have the Oregon AIDS/STD Hotline and advocacy programs.

  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
The Harambee Centre connects the people of the Pacific Northwest with the people and cultures of Africa. Harambee means "Let's pull together" in Kiswahili; our logo is the Ashanti adinkra for strength. The mission of the Harambee Centre is to pull people together for the good of the global community. We believe that multicultural education and intercultural exchange are essential to building genuine understanding, respect and enduring relationships among diverse peoples.

  





  

    
  
        
  
  
  
        
ZAP purchases artwork from Weya artists to sell in the United States. They purchase art at double the price of other buyers. Proceeds from the sale of the artwork in the United States go to fund programs that benefit the artists in Weya. Funding helps to provide healthcare, materials for artwork, transportation, water projects and education. ZAP provides more than 75 students who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS with uniforms and school fees. They sell books and puzzles and the proceeds help keep the children of Weya in school. ZAP also helps provide training for artists on embroidering and painting and they pay artists to train other artists.

  







  

    

  
  
  
  
  
  

   
  



 



        
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