Where to Go for Help If You're HIV Positive in Los Angeles or Know Somebody Who Is

A few years ago, I lived in Los Angeles and worked for an AIDS organization in Santa Monica. Los Angeles has a large HIV/AIDS infected population, with more than 10,000 men, women and children living with AIDS in the LA area. LA also has a large homeless population, many of whom are HIV positive because of drug use and unprotected sex. If you live in Los Angeles and are HIV positive, have been diagnosed with AIDS or even just want to get a free AIDS test because you're not sure your HIV status, where do you go?

Here are some of the best AIDS organizations in Los Angeles, with the services they provide. During the five years I was in LA, I worked with most of them, either through the agency I worked for or as a volunteer. They are all great organizations, with dedicated staff who are there to help anyone affected by HIV/AIDS.

Common Ground - The Westside HIV Community Center. This used to be known as Santa Monica AIDS Project, and was the organization I worked at for more than 2 years. Based in Santa Monica, Common Ground does a lot of work with the homeless population of Los Angeles. They have a food bank, client services, counseling services, a client lounge where people with HIV can go and meet others. They also provide free and anonymous HIV testing, dental and medical services, and emergency motel and food vouchers. They specifically target Los Angeles' huge youth homeless population by providing services to homeless youth 12 to 25 years of age. They do great work in area schools, talking to kids about HIV prevention, and even give away free condoms and clean needles every week on street corners in LA county. 2012 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica - 310 314-5480