The Greater Community AIDS Project of East Central Illinois is a local tax  exempt charitable organization that qualifies under IRS section 501 c (3). It continues to serve the needs of those affected with HIV and AIDS in East Central Illinois as well as educate the public about HIV and AIDS.

Programs:

Champaign House – is a 4 bedroom transitional housing facility for HIV+ individuals and their families who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless. In addition to providing housing, it also offers case management to help clients secure permanent housing.

Food pantry– in conjunction with the Eastern Illinois Foodbank, clients are allowed monthly shopping to access supplemental groceries. The office of the Greater Community AIDS Project also has an on-site emergency pantry to help those who are unable to make it to a regularly scheduled Foodbank appointment.

Emergency Assistance Grants – These monies are accessible through a client’s HIV case manager and can be used for such things as past due rents, utilities or medical expenses that are not covered under other programs.

Education – Staff and trained volunteers are available to speak to individuals and groups about a variety of issues related to HIV including prevention, living with HIV and caring for others that are HIV positive.

Shelter Plus Care – the Greater Community AIDS Project is proud to be a sub-recipient of the Housing and Urban Development program administered by Champaign County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) that helps to place individuals in housing while receiving intensive support services.

Despite grant-based funding cuts in the past calendar year, the Greater Community AIDS Project has provided over $31,000 in Emergency Assistance Grants to individuals in our 10 county service area. There have been over 1100 visits to the Foodbank this past year. Champaign house has had 7 individuals and their families move in and 5 move on to a more permanent housing situation.

Volunteer Opportunities:

GCAP has always been a primarily volunteer based organization. Every year it logs more than 2500 hours from members of the community helping with various activities.

The greatest needs always center around our fundraising events:

• Holiday Gala
• Food pantry
• General clerical

Additionally, they can always use volunteers for various maintenance projects at both our transitional housing and housing facility. This includes lawn mowing and gardening. More information on volunteering can be found here: http://gcapnow.com/volunteer-opportunities.