The History of Aniz
- The Creation of Aniz
- Achievement of Non-profit Status
- Expansion of Programs
- Expansion of Aniz, Inc.
- Recent Achievements
The Creation of Aniz, Inc.
In 1994-1996, Zina Age, was a graduate student of Clark Atlanta University School of Social Work, fulfilling her internship at Outreach, Inc. a community-based HIV/AIDS service agency in Southwest Atlanta. Her major duties were to administer psychosocial assessments and to conduct family support groups with clients, not realizing that her heart was concerned with the children of the clients. Ms. Age began to observe the children of clients playing in the corner of the room where their parents were involved in-group therapy. These children, some living with HIV themselves, were overlooked by the agency for their unmet needs and unable to learn about the very matter that had brought their parents to Outreach, Inc.
Ms. Age's investigated agencies serving HIV infected/affected children, and discovered the absence of formalized services for children in the Metro Atlanta region. Ms. Age then proposed the implementation a children's program onsite to with the Executive Director of Outreach, Inc. Her concept was to engage the children of clients in structured therapeutic groups rather than having them idle and discontented at this adult serviced agency. In 1996, this vision of serving HIV infected/affected African American children became a reality. The initial program established at Outreach, Inc. was later named "We Want To Know" and now provides prevention and risk reduction education for children ages 17 and under
Consequently, a group of dedicated professional and paraprofessionals joined Ms. Age in planning and strategizing to expand her initiative. After incorporating the initiative, Ms. Age named it Aniz, Inc., her first name spelled backward. Top
Achievement of Non-profit Status
By 1996, the organization received its 501(c)(3) status, and efforts with infected women and children were in realization for nearly three years. Aniz's mission was to provide comprehensive health awareness education and prevention services for disadvantaged minority youth, young adults and families, and to provide skills training for organizations that implement disease prevention and health promotion programs. The organization provided services onsite at adult services agencies throughout the Metro Atlanta region, including psychosocial assessment, substance abuse counseling, mental health counseling and prevention/risk reduction education. Support groups for infected/affected children, and risk reduction groups with teens and adults were initiated at Outreach, Inc in 1994. By 1996, Aniz began providing prevention/intervention groups and psychosocial assessments for women applying for transitional housing with Sister Love, Inc. and Jerusalem house. Due to limited funding to serve infected and affected children the organization experienced setbacks in expansion of to children in other areas. The dedication of professional and paraprofessional volunteers allowed Aniz to carry out its mission. Top
Expansion of Services and Programs
With modest funding and the dedication of professionals and paraprofessional volunteers, the organization was able to provide a range of services to persons living with HIV/AIDS at existing community-based agencies in the Metro Atlanta region (in Clayton, Cobb, Dekalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties).
In 1996 Aniz, Inc developed We "Want To Know" (WWTK), 16-week prevention education program, focused on HIV/AIDS risk reduction for youth ages 5-16. Aniz also provided risk reduction education to African American teens accessing health clinics in the Clayton, Cobb, Dekalb, Fulton and City of Atlanta areas. However, a lack of funding has caused termination of these services
Recognizing that teenage girls require gender-specific education, Aniz developed a model program for at risk African American teen females that are sexually active in 1999. Using a risk reduction model, " Females Learning About Sexual Healthy" (AFLASH), serves females teenagers who are at risk for HIV, Hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted diseases. AFLASH touches the lives of young females who may be infected and have not been tested, and aims prevent & reduce viral infections among this population
In July 2000, Aniz, Inc developed a day treatment model based program entitled: "Reaching out to Sisters with HIV/AIDS" (ROSHA), to serve women with HIV and co-occurring issues such as substance abuse and mental illness. In January 2001, an advocacy component was developed, in order to keep women informed about issues that impact mental health, substance abuse and other risk factors; encourage women to contact policy makers and elected officials to promote positive social change; and mobilize the community to speak out on important issues. The goal is to promote self-advocacy to advance the dignity, quality of life and quality of care for individuals and families directly infected/ affected by HIV/AIDS
In 2007, the Grandparents Hands program was initiated to focus on men and women over 50 years of age who are unaware of their risks for HIV/STI infection. Offering an innovative approach to educating seniors with active lifestyles, Grandparents Hands promotes healthy lifestyle choices and trains volunteer leaders to serve as peer educators for their own age group.
In August 2001, Aniz, Inc developed Substance Abuse Treatment and Counseling for people with HIV/AIDS (SATCH) as a day treatment program for men and women who are infected/affected with HIV and facing co-occurring issues. As a day treatment program, SATCH provided structured therapeutic support and intensive therapy relative to substance abuse, mental health and other related social issues. Top
Expansion of Aniz, Inc
Now, known as Aniz-Lousiana, Aniz, Inc established a satellite office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (ABRS) in October of 2003. ABRS was established to provide services under the Holistic HIV Reduction Program to intravenous drug users at high risk for HIV and Hepatitis C infection. The program is based on a Harm Reduction Model and has been funded by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals as well as private foundations.
For six weeks after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Aniz, Inc. operated out of the River Center working under the Louisiana State Office of Emergency Preparedness, to provide services to those affected by the hurricane. As a member of the Emergency Preparedness team, Aniz, Inc. served as the liaison to coordinate the efforts of local agencies serving HIV sero-positive and opiate addicted individuals. In June, 2006 ABRS was awarded funds by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals to conduct HIV prevention through community level outreach. ABRS presented the results of the Holistic Harm Reduction Model at the National Harm Reduction Coalition Conference and the National Rural Health Conference. The need for ABRS has become increasingly evident as the number of individuals requesting services has steadily grown.
Recognizing a need in Mississippi, Aniz, Inc. establishes an office in Holly Springs. It receives funding to conduct the WWTK. Top
Recent Achievements
Last Christmas season, Aniz fed over 100 low-income families and gave away over 1500 toys in partnership with the Harland Boys and Girls Club for our eight annual holiday event. Thus far this year, the organization has strengthened relationships with Spelman College Bonner's Office and the Office of Community Service and has partnered with Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health to provide volunteer opportunities for their students. The organization has also developed partnerships with several of Atlanta's community-based organizations to provide mental health and addiction services to their HIV positive clients, expanding our reach in the metropolitan area. Through successful outreach efforts, Aniz, in partnership with SisterLove, Inc., is now providing free bi-weekly HIV testing at local health fairs, community enrichment events, and faith-based awareness initiatives. Our Director of Development and one of our HIV+ Peer Educators have been accepted as a scholar in the Black AIDS Institute, African American HIV University to be trained in developing community mobilization initiatives to reduce HIV transmission. All of our achievements represent our efforts to be active within the metropolitan Atlanta communities, providing the much needed services of increasing awareness about HIV/AIDS and providing sexual health education and prevention in a holistic and culturally appropriate manner. Top
