AIDS Project Worcester advocates for more support to the members of our society who are most vulnerable. We believe in advocacy on the individual, local, state and national levels — all acting with or on behalf of an individual, their family or group to resolve an issue, to obtain needed support or services. We promote changes to policies and behaviors of third parties that may negatively affect our consumers and their affected others. Advocacy remains a vital tool in improving and sustaining the quality of life for those we serve. APW shares in the belief that advocacy is the most effective practice at all levels; aimed at public officials, support systems and the general public.
AIDS Project Worcester, as the primary voice for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in central Massachusetts and one of strongest advocates for social issues in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We lead the way in protecting the all the rights, services and programs for all the communities that made up the population we serve. We strive to be at the forefront of socio-economic activism to protect community-based health promotion, disease prevention, and preventive health services, making sure they are accessible to everyone.For our HIV/AIDS positive consumers, we continue to ensure that you are given the support needed to have a chance at living happy and fulfilling lives. We lobby for you, your family and your communities, we table and sit in meetings to kill stigma; we test and do outreach to keep us all aware and safe.
AIDS Project Worcester, welcomes and encourages self-advocacy and supports the members of our consumer population, in better representing themselves. Through programs such as our peer support services and the speakers’ bureau, we help them to be able to comfortably state their needs and their position on issues affecting them.
Self-advocates should be equipped to:
- Know about, understand and assert their rights;
- Obtain support to be effective self advocates;
- Practice self determination and advocacy;
- Learn and develop the skills necessary to advocate for one’s self;
- Practice self-protection;
- Obtain needed services; and
- Fully participate in their community.