AID FOR AIDS
NEW YORK
About
AID FOR AIDS established its New York office in 1996 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to serving Spanish-speaking immigrants living with or at risk for HIV. Founded and staffed primarily by Latin American immigrants with professional backgrounds in HIV services and advocacy, AFA quickly became a trusted resource within New York City’s immigrant community.
In 2001, AFA formalized its social and support services program for immigrants with HIV in the New York Metropolitan Area, operating from the organization’s headquarters. As demand grew, this local program evolved into a fully independent office housing multiple programs serving the broader immigrant community.
Read More
For nearly 30 years, AFA’s New York Immigrant HIV Link Program has reached immigrant communities underserved by mainstream AIDS service organizations through targeted outreach, HIV prevention and treatment education, testing, comprehensive intake and individualized action planning, and linkage to care. The program emphasizes PrEP education, medication adherence, and the health benefits of achieving undetectable viral loads (U=U), while working to reduce internalized stigma and foster optimism about health and life goals.
AFA’s approach extends beyond HIV status or risk factors. Comprehensive intake assessments gather information about clients’ social, educational, occupational, housing, income, legal, immigration, familial, mental, emotional, sexual, behavioral, and substance use circumstances. This enables staff to craft individualized action plans and provide tailored support—whether through in-house peer counseling, customized follow-up schedules, or referrals to mental health providers, primary care physicians, and legal services.
The office’s unique strength lies in fostering community connections and integrating newly arrived individuals into New York City life. Beyond addressing immediate needs, AFA creates an environment conducive to personal growth and meaningful relationships. Beginning in 2023, the office expanded its reach beyond New York City, linking Spanish-speaking migrants and asylum seekers from across the country with HIV services in states including California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah.
Our Leaders in AFA New York
Lupe Aguais
Director of Education and Capacitation
Oscar Peña
Leading Case Manager
Leonardo Klie
Coordinator: HIV Medicine Recycling Program
Carine Keza
Specialist: HIV Medicine Recycling Program
Our Leaders in AFA New York
Lupe Aguais
Director of Education and Capacitation
Oscar Peña
Leading Case Manager
Leonardo Klie
Coordinator: HIV Medicine Recycling Program
Carine Keza
Specialist: HIV Medicine Recycling Program
Current Programs
Our case management program understands the difficulties immigrants encounter in adjusting to a new environment, language and culture, especially when dealing with health issues such as HIV.
The program helps individuals cope with all of these issues in a confidential and non-judgmental environment, where they are able to receive the support necessary to overcome these barriers. The case manager guides immigrants living with HIV through complex healthcare and social service systems. Services include health coordination, psychosocial support, legal assistance, housing referrals, and connections to additional support.
Any immigrant, regardless of legal status, with HIV and residing in the New York Metropolitan Area may join the case management program.
To make an appointment for intake, call us at (212) 337-8043, or email Oscar Peña at OPena@aidforaids.org.
Appointments are available in English and Spanish.
AID FOR AIDS New York provides community outreach, HIV testing, and prevention services to immigrant communities, who are among the most vulnerable populations for HIV due to barriers including lack of health insurance, language barriers, immigration status concerns, and limited access to culturally-sensitive healthcare.
Focused on the Latino community in New York, our Outreach and HIV Testing Program provides the necessary information about HIV, preventive methods and HIV Testing.
Outreach activities, including free and confidential HIV testing on and off-site, are conducted throughout the year in partnership with local organizations and Latin American consulates in New York.
In addition, AFA is committed to educating and training individuals to become peer educators in order to conduct HIV testing and prevention in their communities.
From our New York office, we connect virtually with applicants to understand their HIV status and socioeconomic conditions. We receive and process applications from individuals in developing countries who lack financial resources or whose healthcare systems do not provide access to newer HIV treatments. Working with primary care physicians, we determine the most appropriate treatment for each beneficiary based on our medication inventory, while continuously monitoring adherence through laboratory results.
Over nearly 30 years, we have delivered life-saving therapies to beneficiaries in 73 developing countries, supporting more than 20,000 individuals and donating over $130 million in medications.
Medications and international shipping are provided at no cost to beneficiaries, who only assume responsibility for customs procedures in their countries. The program receives its full medication supply from our HIV Recycling Program.
Due to inventory reductions during COVID-19, we have limited new applications to ensure treatment continuity for current beneficiaries. Recent funding cuts to international health programs are expected to increase demand for our services, prompting us to evaluate program capacity in countries where we maintain local offices and consider participation duration limits for future applicants.
The Drug Recycling Program repurposes donated HIV medications from families and individuals living with HIV, redistributing them to people in need outside the United States. For nearly 30 years, we have maintained multiple strategies to ensure a continuous medication supply, making this the most comprehensive program of its kind in the United States. The program provides the full supply of HIV therapies to our Access to Treatment Program, on which thousands of beneficiaries depend for their medical care. Currently, the majority of donations come from private donors and collectors, though the introduction of injectable HIV treatments has limited availability as these therapies are administered exclusively by physicians and cannot be redistributed.
In recent years, the program has faced inventory challenges due to reduced organizational support and the closure of several collection programs. Despite these obstacles, we continue delivering substantial support: in 2024, we donated more than 1,940 bottles of antiretroviral medications and over 1,500 bottles of prophylactic medications internationally. We have also expanded support to include prophylactic medications and treatments for other health conditions, particularly in regions where we maintain local offices. With recent budget cuts to international HIV programs, we anticipate increased demand for donated medications as countries lose access to external support resources.
You can support the Drug Recycling Program by donating unused, unexpired medications or making monetary contributions to cover operational and shipping costs. Help us expand our reach by sharing information about the program with clients, colleagues, and on social media
For more information, contact us at lklie@aidforaids.org or (212) 337-8043.
So far we've...
Performed
HIV Tests
Reached
people through our outreach program
Linked
beneficiaries to care and insurance enrollment
Distributed
Safe Sex Kit
Our Partners
Need support? Contact our NY team
Email: administrator@aidforaids.org
Address: 131 Varick St Suite 1006, New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 337-8043
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept volunteers?
Yes! In the past, volunteers have helped us during special events or throughout the week creating social media content for our channels. Any help or ideas are always welcome. If you wish to volunteer with us, please reach out to Lupe Aguais at laguais@aidforaids.org
How can my company or organization start a partnership with you?
To start a partnership please contact our Programs Director Jaime Valencia jvalencia@aidforaids.org
How can I donate?
For donations please visit our donations platform. You can also find it at the top of our website under ‘Donate Now’.
If you wish to donate HIV medication please request your shipping label to start the process.
Are AID FOR AIDS and AID FOR LIFE the same?
No, AID FOR LIFE is a newer organization that was born from AID FOR AIDS through our constant efforts to help the migrant community. Currently, AFA focuses on HIV-related topics and AFL focuses on overall health, financial independence, and integration of the migrant community.
Still have questions?
If you have additional questions please email us at administrator@aidforaids.org