Since 1988, Hope & Help has become Central Florida’s largest and oldest HIV/AIDS testing, education, and care organization. We offer free HIV, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis rapid testing with results in as little as 15 minutes; safer sex education; case management, peer support, and support groups for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS; and emergency food assistance for everyone.
Annually, we serve 1,500 clients, distribute over 75,000 condoms; administer over 5,000 HIV, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis tests combined; and link everyone into the best care possible. Our service area covers Orange, Osceola, Lake, and Seminole Counties. As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, Hope & Help operates thanks to the financial support of grants, sponsorships, and donations from the Central Florida community.
In 1988, HIV/AIDS was a death sentence and that's how Hope & Help began. A group of friends taking care of a friend dying from complications related to AIDS. It wasn't only one friend so they quickly started fundraising, incorporated in 1989, and this year we celebrate 35 years of serving those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in Central Florida.
We've made great strides in HIV medical treatments so today, it's a life-long chronic disease manageable via a once per day pill and injectables (to achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load which means you cannot transmit the virus to anyone else U=U). Plus preventative medicines like PrEP & PEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis "PrEP" taken as prescribed is 99% effective in preventing HIV acquisition and post-exposure prophylaxis "PEP" taken within 72 hours of exposure is also effective in preventing HIV acquisition). It's a new day in HIV care but the constant remains... you must get tested and know your status to prevent the spread!
