Dreaming Bigger to End the HIV Epidemic in Memphis and the Mid-South
For years now, our vision for growth has included an expansion of services. Over time, we realized this expansion is only possible if we move our agency to a physically bigger, operationally better headquarters: a building that could house all of our staff and services more efficiently, but with enough room for growth. This growth represents a a critical next generation of support to end the HIV epidemic in Memphis and the Mid-South. With the feedback of our clients and support of our board, we dreamt big to make this goal possible—and this building offers the space and location to bring that dream to life.
Our New Home: 1548 Poplar Avenue in the Evergreen Historic District
Our new home will be located just a half-mile from our current location at 43 N. Cleveland Street. Not only is it situated on Poplar Avenue, offering increased visibility on a busy thoroughfare, it also offers expanded parking, direct access to bus lines and a layout that facilitates strategic growth. We plan to renovate this 35,000-square-foot property in a way that will make it the most comprehensive, responsive and innovative suite of resources possible—for our clients living with HIV/AIDS, as well as for those communities at the highest risk of HIV infection.
The New Building Makes New Services Possible
These resources will include brand new services that allow us to better meet the needs of our community. Among many new programs will be an onsite clinic offering immediate “Rapid Start” clinical care. This service assures each client receives fast and effective treatment at the moment they first discover they are HIV positive.
What this means is … No more waiting! Instead of a four- or six-week delay after FFL’s referral to care (which is currently provided out-of-house), FFL will now be able to create a treatment plan and prescribe medication in our own onsite clinic, all within 72 hours of diagnosis. This will create an immediate path to viral suppression, clearing the way to an undetectable status in the shortest amount of time possible.
This is a major step for Memphis. And this building—with its own dedicated wing for clinical care—will help us make it possible. And you can help make it possible too!