AGENCY DESCRIPTION

ASMR's mission is to: PROVIDE services and support to facilitate a high quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and other chronic and life- threatening illnesses, and their loved ones in order to elicit a compassionate and informed response, SUSTAIN informed public awareness about HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and other chronic and life-threatening illnesses, PROMOTE and implement educational programs about HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and other chronic and life-threatening illnesses in order to reduce transmission of infectious diseases, and PREVENT HIV transmission by encouraging HIV testing that is accessible, confidential and administered based upon ability to pay.

PO Box 396 16 High Street Gilsum, NH  03448 603-357-6855 800-639-7903 603-358-5091 FAX

AIDS Services for the Monadnock Region (ASMR) has been the only AIDS Service Organization (ASO) in rural southwestern New Hampshire since 1988.  ASMR is a non-profit 501(c)(3) agency serving Cheshire County, southern Sullivan County and western Hillsborough County and was founded in 1988 as a collaborative of health and human service professionals responding to the impact of the AIDS epidemic on the Monadnock Region.  The group formally incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1989 and was operated by volunteers until 1995, when the Monadnock United Way provided funding for staffing.  Combined funding from the City of Keene and the Monadnock United Way initiated case management services to assist people living with HIV/AIDS and their families in 1996.

In order to remain a viable community-based organization, ASMR has an active local presence.  The Board of Directors are comprised of individuals from a variety of businesses and social service agencies.  ASMR is represented in a number of community collaborations and programs including The Samaritans, the Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention, ACTING OUT, Phoenix House (Dublin and Keene), Keene Housing Authority, Southwestern Community Services, Shelter Program, PFLAG, GLSEN, Keene State College, Franklin Pierce University, United Church of Christ in Keene, Unitarian Universalist Church in Keene, Metro West Methadone Clinic, Comprehensive Care Clinic and all local schools (public and private) in our catchment area.

In addition to ASMR's goal to ensure the well-being of people infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS, the agency has developed a reputation for excellence when providing key prevention education and outreach to residents in the Monadnock Region, regardless of their religion, race, creed or sexual orientation as required by law.  In 2003, ASMR expanded its mission to include other chronic and life-threatening illnesses, in particular Hepatitis C since co-infection of HIV and Hepatitis C is widespread.  Known as the 'silent epidemic,' Hepatitis C affects three times as many people as HIV/AIDS.