Dedicated to empowering people and communities affected by HIV through testing, prevention, support and education, AIDS Outreach serves Gallatin, Park and Madison Counties, Montana.
Vision:
AIDS Outreach was founded in 2006 to:
1) Provide critical support for people affected with HIV/AIDS
2) Address an overall lack of awareness regarding HIV and AIDS in southwest Montana
- We are dedicated to improving the quality of life for those living with HIV here in southwest Montana.
- We are also committed to reducing the transmission of HIV, along with eliminating the stigma and shame associated with the virus.
- Annually, we hold our fundraiser the Red Ribbon Ball, held on or near December 1st, in order to coincide with the commemoration of World AIDS Day.
Services:
We offer anonymous HIV and Syphilis testing and support. If you need additional confirmatory testing for either HIV or syphilis, AIDS Outreach will make sure you get to the right place. Even if you don’t have a healthcare provider or insurance, we will make sure that you are treated with respect and correct follow-up testing is done.
Other services we provide are:
Free Condoms
HIV education
Referrals for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
AIDS Outreach also offers services to those already living with HIV, such as:
Support groups
Individual counseling
Financial assistance (e.g., food, clothing, shelter, medical treatment, etc.)
Direct outreach and support for families and caregivers
Board Members:
Bob
Bob moved to Bozeman from New York City, where he experienced many personal losses during the height of the AIDS Crisis. He worked as a caregiver in the AIDS Ward of New York’s St. Vincent Hospital and has also been involved with several LGBT organizations, such as Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS and the Yale Gay and Lesbian Alumni (GALA) association. As the Executive Director of AIDS Outreach, he now seeks to share his experiences and knowledge with the local community in order to educate and empower all those who are affected by HIV. Additionally, Bob is committed to serving as a mentor to young people who are struggling here in Montana to express their own queer identities.
Damian
Damian Guillén has been an AIDS Outreach board member since 2017. As an advocate of the LGBTQ community, he is honored to serve on a board dedicated to empowering individuals affected by HIV and providing free testing services to our community. As a cisgender gay man, he knows all too well the importance of HIV prevention through education, testing, and community resources. Damian, a former music professor, enjoys listening and playing music, reading, and spending time with his friends and family.
Carly
Carly Meyers has been on the board since 2014. Her background in various aspects of healthcare policy and development make her a valued member of the team. The reason she enjoys being on this board is because it gives her the opportunity to directly serve those in our community living with HIV and to promote prevention by providing resources and education. Carly enjoys spending time with her husband and can often be seen traveling, gardening, playing board games, or doing various outdoor activities.
Colette
Hi I'm Colette.I'm a graduate of Montana State University with a degree in Community Health. I started with AIDS Outreach back in 2011 when I met Greg Smith when he presented at my Human Sexuality class. Something in that talk encouraged me to learn more about HIV, AIDS and the local organization. I became the intern for the organization at that time. I later became a certified HIV tester. I am currently a tester and board member.
Cindi
Cindi Spinelli has been on the board of AIDS Outreach since 2014. She is also one of the two Ryan White case managers for Gallatin County. Cindi is passionate about advocating for and working with people living with HIV. She has been volunteering with HIV service organizations since she was a teenager. Her biggest dream is to one day be an ``advanced beginner`` Italian speaker.
Karynne
Karynne Cabral has been on the board of AIDS Outreach since 2016. She joined during her Master’s program at Montana State University. Karynne is passionate about promoting safe sex and clean needle exchange. You may see her downtown giving out free condoms! Karynne is dedicated about advocating for and working with people living with HIV. Her in free time she hikes and runs the mountains around Bozeman.