Organization Quick Facts

• The mission of Friends For Life is to help persons affected by HIV/AIDS live well.
• Friends For Life (FFL) is the oldest and largest HIV/AIDS service organization in the Mid-South. The demand for the services of FFL continues to increase, with the agency now serving over 2,500 persons; 45% of these being women with 488 children.
• A recent $125,000 grant from The Assisi Foundation of Memphis, along with generous donations from over 100 community individuals helped FFL retire the mortgage on its headquarters at 43 N. Cleveland.
• Friends For Life is a United Way of the Mid-South Partner Agency and provides services in Shelby, Tipton and Fayette counties in Tennessee, Crittenden county in Arkansas and DeSoto, Marshall, Tunica and Tate counties in Mississippi. Friends For Life has received the ‘Innovator in Strengthening Lives’ award from the Federal Reserve Bank for its Positive Living Center and Wellness University, both programs begun with United Way of the Mid-South Venture Funds.
• The Aloysius Home Housing Services include the Shelter Plus Care program that provides permanent supportive housing to formerly homeless persons living with HIV/AIDS in a 16-unit agency-owned apartment building.
• The Tenant Based Rental Assistance housing program provides subsidized housing to 56 households made up of persons living with HIV/AIDS in apartments spread throughout the community.
• The Nancy Fletcher Food Pantry is the second largest food pantry in the Memphis Food Bank 32-county system and distributes over 14 tons of food monthly.
• Feast For Friends is a twice-monthly congregate meal where volunteers cook and serve nutritious meals to persons affected by HIV/AIDS.
• Friends For Life provides HIV prevention efforts including Prevention For Positives, HIV testing and outreach in nightclubs, parks and neighborhoods.
• The Wellness University is a community-wide program that teaches skills to live with HIV/AIDS along with vocational skills, GED classes, nutrition classes and daily living skills training.
• The Positive Living Center offers a holistic approach to the management of HIV/AIDS by addressing the physical, emotional and spiritual wellness needs of persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Acupuncture, yoga, massage therapy, healing touch, meditation, support groups and creative writing are just a few of the FREE services that have been offered in this program. A computer lab and extensive resource library are also available.
• Friends For Life’s web site ( www.friendsforlifecorp.org) is a comprehensive resource that not only describes services provided by FFL, but also includes exhaustive information about HIV/AIDS.
• Volunteers play a critical role at Friends For Life. From helping in the Nancy Fletcher Food Pantry, Feast For Friends, special events and administrative tasks, there is a place for almost anyone who wants to help Friends For Life further its mission.