What Is Nevada AIDS Project?

NAP is a Nevada Registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable corporation. We are volunteer and donor supported and community based, and we are committed to local and national leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

We offer clients and the general public a diverse array of services, including a year-round home furnishings showroom at the World Market Center in Las Vegas, an HIV Advocacy and Outreach phone line, no-cost HIV education workshops and more.

Yes, there is still a crisis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control National Center for HIV/AIDS "Today, about 1 million Americans are living with HIV, and one quarter of those infected are unaware of their infection."

Alarmingly in the United States, the spread of HIV in our population continues to increase on a daily basis, especially in the 18 to 25 and Senior Citizen age groups. These are two population groups that are often not well-informed about this virus.

In Nevada alone, according to the CDC, 36% percent of reported cases cumulative through 2005 are among the African-American and Latino-American population groups, groups that have traditionally been very adverse to dealing with these facts.

Again according to the CDC National Center for HIV/AIDS, the percentage of Women among all newly reported cases has grown from 11% in 1990 to 26% in 2005. Also in 2005, according to CDC, HIV was the third leading cause of death among African-American women aged 25 to 44 and the fourth leading cause among Latino-American women aged 35 to 44. 66% of nearly 10,000 new diagnoses in 2005 where among African-American women.

At least 250,000 people unaware of their infectious potential. Population groups that are poorly educated about, or in denial of, the dangers of HIV. Women now among the hardest hit groups for infection.

Yes, HIV is still a crisis in Nevada and America, and that's why we have formed.

Our Mission

• To reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS through education, prevention, research and advocacy
• To help individuals with HIV/AIDS to maintain and improve their health and independence
• To keep prevention, treatment and cure of HIV an urgent national and local priority

At NAP we are proud of the comprehensive range of services we offer to our community, and we know that our ability to face our most serious challenges is largely due to the personal commitment and conscientiousness of our individual, corporate and foundation donors, and our volunteers. We are dedicated to operating cost-efficiently and ensuring that our donors dollars directly fund our programs.

NAP at a glance

Advocacy: We advocate for the rights of HIV/AIDS infected and affected individuals in all areas, including healthcare, discrimination due to HIV/AIDS status, and housing and benefits issues. Advocacy takes on many shapes, including public policy advocacy on the local, state and national level and research advocacy. Our current research efforts include a seat on the Institutional Review Board of the University of Nevada Medical Center as well as connecting qualified individuals with anti-viral research studies in Denver, Los Angles, San Diego and San Francisco.

Positive Living Course: An eight week course for individuals living with HIV/AIDS which includes the following topics: assertiveness, breathing, toxins, water, HIV/AIDS knowledge and involvement, crisis coping and stress management, self-care when illness occurs, sexual health, doctor/patient relationship, communication skills, depression, sleep deprivation, loss and grief, non-sexual infections and well balanced living.

Furniture Assistance: In collaboration with the World Market Center Las Vegas Design Center we offer no cost or low cost furniture and accessories to HIV/AIDS individuals within the Las Vegas valley.

Prescription Co-pay Assistance: We offer this assistance to HIV/AIDS individuals who do not qualify for AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) funds and/or have no other means of obtaining necessary HIV and HIV-related medications for survival.

Information Referral and Outreach: We offer information and referral services over the phone, via e-mail and on this web site to individuals infected and effected by HIV/AIDS. This can include, but is not limited to, physician, legal, case management, hospice, housing, education, awareness, advocacy, public policy, etc.

Our Web Site: Here we explain who we are and what we offer and can do, to ultimately give hope to individuals that they are not alone, that there is help and that there is no need to be either afraid or ashamed! As of this writing (March of 2008) we are beginning the expansion and modernization of our web site toward these goals. Look for completion of our new structure before the end of 2008.