Organization Quick Facts

• The mission of Friends For Life is to provide critical services, basic needs and outreach programs that empower those affected by HIV/AIDS to optimize their longevity and quality of life.
• Friends For Life (FFL) is the oldest and largest HIV/AIDS service organization in the Mid-South. The demand for the services of FFL has increased by 49% over the last four years, with the agency now serving over 1,900 persons including 300 children.
• Eighty-five percent (85%) of persons served are African-American and 44% are women; many single mothers with children.
• 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.
• 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 largest food pantry in the Memphis Food Bank 32-county system and distributes over 16 tons of food monthly.
• Feast For Friends is a twice-monthly congregate meal where volunteers cook and serve a nutritious meal 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 award-winning 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. Twenty-five local organizations have signed memoranda of agreement to participate in the program.
• 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/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.
• Friends For Life has a low administrative rate of 16%, meaning that $.84 of each dollar is spent on direct client services.