Our Mission

The mission of Live Forward is to build healthier communities through stable housing, improved health management, strong community outreach and widespread prevention services, ensuring those we help live with dignity and a positive quality of life.

Our Vision

The vision of Live Forward is to meet clients where they are by providing secure housing, increased independence and giving a voice to breakdown stigmas and end the cycle of poverty in our community.

OUR STORY

AIDS Athens was founded by a group of Athens residents who attended a forum on AIDS at the University of Georgia in February 1987. The group initiated AIDS Athens later that year, and received nonprofit 501(c)(3) status two years later.

In October 1995, members of AIDS Athens approved changes in the structure of the organization and renamed it the AIDS Coalition of Northeast Georgia, as the organization grew to serve clients living in 10 Northeast Georgia counties.

In August 2004, the AIDS Coalition was renamed AIDS Athens to emphasize the reaffirmation of its mission to serve all local people infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.

In 2016 the agency was renamed Live Forward to focus on the journey of our clients towards healthy outcomes, housing stability and independence.

Our Focus

Housing

Affordable and safe housing is a basic component to the well-being and health of families. Without adequate housing, families have trouble managing every aspect of their daily lives.

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Independence

Live Forward recognizes that helping an individual or family maintain housing stability often takes more than simply providing a home.

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Voice

As Live Forward participants achieve stable housing, achieve better health outcomes and independence it is hoped that many will become a voice for change and support for those working towards dependence.

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Our Impact

Across our various housing programs in Fiscal Year 2016, 97.5% of the participating households achieved housing stability.

  • The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that over one million Americans are living with HIV / AIDS and 50% of those infected are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

  • Live Forward serves all 10 counties in the Northeast Health District (District 10) of Georgia. Our service area includes: Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Madison, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, and Walton counties.