Mission of AID FOR AIDS
AID FOR AIDS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to empowering communities at risk of HIV and the population at large, by developing their abilities and capacities in comprehensive prevention through access to treatment, advocacy, education and training to improve their quality of life and reduce stigma and discrimination.
Mission of AID FOR LIFE
AID FOR LIFE (AFL) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to generating social impact and enhancing the lives of people at risk of social vulnerability in New York City and developing countries by implementing programs that increase their capacities, abilities and provide access to essential products that strengthen the wellbeing of their communities.
Vision of AID FOR AIDS
To be recognized internationally as a successful model of empowerment, built on efficient and sustainable programs with a high social impact, allowing the development of leaders who adopt comprehensive prevention as a lifestyle to promote a better quality of life in the general population.
Vision of AID FOR LIFE
Achieving healthy societies by improving their wellbeing, quality of life and the respect for fundamental human rights.
Values
Objectives
Besides providing free medication to people with HIV in developing countries who do not have access to treatment, AID FOR AIDS provides prevention education, case management, and advocacy to those with HIV and those affected by the epidemic both internationally and in the United States.
Staff
AID FOR AIDS is comprised of passionate individuals with a deep commitment to our mission. Everyday, our staff works to better the lives of people with HIV and those affected by the epidemic.
Jesús Aguais
Executive Director
JAguais@aidforaids.org
AFA Headquarters
Jaime Valencia
Vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean
JValencia@aidforaids.org
Alicia Molina
Director of Operations
AMolina@aidforaids.org
Luis Scaccabarrozzi
Director of Programs
LScaccabarrozzi@aidforaids.org
Tiffany Kearney
Director of Development
TKearney@aidforaids.org
Isabella Latouche
Director of Finance
ILatouche@aidforaids.org
Lupe Aguais
Director of Education and Training
LAguais@aidforaids.org
Meudy Osío
Healing Coordinator
MOsio@aidforaids.org
Leonardo Klie
Coordinator: HIV Medicine Recycling
LKlie@aidforaids.org
Carine Keza
Specialist: HIV Medicine Recycling
KCarine@aidforaids.org
Oscar Peña
Case Manager
OPena@aidforaids.org
María Fernanda Albán
Communications Coordinator
MAlban@aidforaids.org
AFA Colombia
Jaime Valencia
Country Director
JValencia@aidforaids.org
Jorge Luis Díaz
Regional Director of Development for Latin America and the Caribbean
Jdiaz@aidforaids.org
Eduardo Hernández
National Coordinator
EHernandez@aidforaids.org
Johnny Lenín Romero
Project Coordinator: Central Area
LRomero@aidforaids.org
Isabella Latouche
Finance Manager
ILatouche@aidforaids.org
AFA Dominican Republic
Claudia Messina
President of Board
María De Jesús Valenzuela
Country Director
MValenzuela@aidforaids.org
Virginia Moreno
Access to Treatment Coordinator
VMoreno@aidforaids.org
Gladis García
Coordinator of Program for Children & Adolescents with HIV
GGarcia@aidforaids.org
Mayerlin Montilla
Accountant
MMontilla@aidforaids.org
Ibelise Medina
Field Coordinator
IMedina@aidforaids.org
AFA Mexico
Joel Rentería
Legal Representative
Jorge Lopez
Development Officer
JLopez@aidforaids.org
AFA Panama
Trina María Aguais
Country Director
TAguais@aidforaids.org
Roalmar Alviárez
Access to Treatment Coordinator
RAlviarez@aidforaids.org
Mario Alexander Cruz
Project Coordinator
ACruz@aidforaids.org
Eduardo Cáceres
Coordinator of Program for Children & Adolescents with HIV
ECaceres@aidforaids.org
AFA Peru
Teresa Ayala
Country Director
TAyala@aidforaids.org
AFA Venezuela
Lupe Aguais
Country Director
LAguais@aidforaids.org
Alba Álvarez
Access to Treatment Program Coordinator
AAlvarez@aidforaids.org
Ruth Cañizales
Education and Training Program Coordinator
RCanizalez@aidforaids.org
Celso Sotelo
Healing Venezuela Program Coordinator
CSotelo@aidforaids.org
Yohely Reyes
Administrative Assistant
YReyes@aidforaids.org
Ania Pulido
Nutritionist
APulido@aidforaids.org
Volunteers:
Valentina Pérez Padrón
José Barrios
Clemente Rodríguez
Board
AID FOR AIDS is privileged to work with those on the Board of Directors who have tirelessly championed its causes while providing their unique knowledge and experience as leaders in their field. Meet our Board here:
Chair
Laura Messina
Treasurer
Joseph Hache
Secretary
Gabriel Matus
Beatriz de la Mora
David Roth
Founding Members
- Adriana Cisneros de Griffin
- Stephen Gendin (in memoriam)
- Violy McCausland-Seve
Founder & Executive Director
Jesús Aguais
Honorary Advisory Board
- Tony Bechara
- Victoria Benatar
- Clarissa Bronfman
- Carlos Campos
- David Corkery
- Jose Esparza, MD
- Carolina Herrera
- Mitchell S. Kushner MD, MPH
- Gabriel G. Matus
- Carlos Mota
- Gabriela Neri
- Roxana Olivas
- Nan Richardson
- Angel Sanchez
- Mark Schoofs
- Ricardo Seco
- Tom Viola
- Jackie Weld-Drake
- Doug White
- Yliana Yepez
- Tim Rosta
History
Founded in 1996 by Jesús Aguais, AID FOR AIDS was first conceived as a simple idea of recycling unused, unexpired HIV medication and redistributing them to those without access to the costly medicines around the world.
In 1996, the increased availability of antiretroviral therapy had a profound impact on AIDS mortality rates in the United States. Yet in developing countries, life-saving medication remained difficult and expensive to access, while the number of new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths continued to climb.
Jesús Aguais, an AIDS activist from Venezuela, was working as a counselor at the HIV Clinic of St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center in New York City during this time. He noticed patients would frequently changed their antiretroviral treatment regimens, discarding many of the unused pills. Instead of allowing this perfectly good medication to go to waste, Jesús began collecting it in a drawer in his office, urging friends and clients to pass on their leftover medication whenever possible.
One day, an elderly woman came into the clinic to meet Jesús, the person she had heard about back in her home country. She had sold all of her possessions to travel from Venezuela and plead with him to help her family. Although the clinic could do nothing for her HIV-positive relatives, the medications saved in his drawer were the same antiretrovirals the woman needed for her family—medication they did not have access to in Venezuela.
This one woman and her struggle to find treatment represented to Jesús the thousands of people impacted by HIV worldwide in developing countries. She, and the countless people like her, inspired him to mobilize a group of dedicated and determined individuals to begin AID FOR AIDS. The organization has grown to include not only the largest HIV Medicine Recycling Program in the world, but also education, prevention, training, and advocacy programs that target people with HIV in developing countries.
