HIV/AIDS Services

Meridian Services has been a leading developer and implementer of HIV/AIDS services in the Mahoning Valley for over 20 years. Although infection with HIV is serious, people with HIV and AIDS are living longer, healthier lives today, thanks to new and effective treatments. As a result, more and more persons with AIDS in our community are in need of HIV/AIDS related support services that help them maintain independent, productive lifestyles.

Services include:

HIV/AIDS Testing

Meridian Services, Inc. provides confidential HIV counseling, testing and referral in accordance with CDC guidelines. All clients are given pre- and post-test counseling which includes information regarding the HIV test and its benefits/consequences, risks for transmission and how HIV can be prevented, the importance of obtaining test results, the meaning of the test results, and where to obtain further information or other services. Anonymous testing available upon request.

Testing is done by appointment- Call 330-797-0074.

HIV/AIDS Outreach and Prevention

Meridian Services, Inc. provides face-to-face and group-level outreach services to intravenous drug users (IDUs) and other individuals at risk of acquiring HIV. Staff seek out IDUs on their own turf - street corners where drugs are sold, shooting galleries and crack houses, and drug treatment centers to educate them about HIV transmission and help them identify and change specific behaviors putting them and others at risk.

Educational presentations are also available to the community. Contact James Bryant at Meridian Services, 330-746-1180.

HIV/AIDS Housing Assistance

Through collaboration and coordination with the Mahoning County Area Task Force on AIDS (MCATFA) and the Lake County General Health District, Meridian Services provides short-term rent, mortgage and utility assistance for persons with AIDS at risk of becoming homeless.

If you are a resident of Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana or Jefferson counties and are in need of short-term housing assistance, contact James Huffman at the Mahoning County Area Task Force on AIDS, 330-743-3333, ext. 242 or Sister Kathleen Minchin at 330-793-0434.

HIV/AIDS Permanent Housing

Meridian Services, Inc. manages a housing development for 13 persons living with AIDS and their families. One, two and three bedroom units allow persons with AIDS to remain independent, while benefiting from coordinated community support services. Residents are assessed 30% of their adjusted gross income for rent.

HIV/AIDS Adult Daycare

Adult Daycare provides a safe, nurturing and supportive environment for adults with AIDS to allow their caretakers respite and the ability to work outside the home. Services are also available to those still living independently, but in need of additional support.

A Community Effort

Combating HIV/AIDS in our community requires the cooperative efforts of several local service providers and advocacy groups, including the Mahoning County and Trumbull County Area Task Force on AIDS, the Ursuline Sisters AIDS Ministry, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Consortium, Family Service Agency, the Youngstown City Health District, and many others. For more information about local help for HIV/AIDS, go to www.help4AIDS.org.