Positive Wellness Alliance

Annual Report 2024

Providing comprehensive, caring, and compassionate supportive services for any and all persons struggling with long-term or chronic health conditions.

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Mission & Vision

Our Mission

In 2024, Positive Wellness Alliance (PWA) worked to eradicate stigma, while providing services, support, and community engagement to improve the quality of life for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. PWA is a non-profit that has existed for 30 years.

2024 was a year of transition where PWA changed leadership, with a new Executive Director and significant turnover on the Board. Going into 2025 the mission statement has shifted to expand our services to serve more people.

In 2025, Positive Wellness Alliance will provide comprehensive, caring and compassionate supportive services for any and all persons struggling with long-term or chronic health conditions.

Our Vision

Our team will build a network and create an environment of support for all persons experiencing decreased quality of life due to long-term or chronic health challenges. This will include but not be limited to HIV/STIs, and other sexually transmitted infections, as well as communicable diseases such as hepatitis and tuberculosis.

Additionally, we are expanding to non-communicable health challenges such as cancer, dementia, diabetes, mental health and addiction, pulmonary disease, and neurological conditions.

PWA Activities Include:

  • Linking clients to high quality services to help them increase their quality of life.
  • Create partnerships with health providers providing services for a variety of health conditions to ensure knowledge of and access to quality healthcare.
  • Support patients through a comprehensive case management model, support groups and preventive education.
  • Increase awareness of the ongoing life challenges that people with long-term or chronic conditions may face, including but not limited to poverty, poor housing, lack of access to comprehensive healthcare including mental health, decreased family and community support and potential stigma.
  • Model a comprehensive systems change model that is patient-centered, community based and relies on evidence-based practices.

Abbreviations

AIDS
EFA
HIV
HOPWA
PHP
STRMU
TBRA

Major Achievements

2024: A Year of Change

2024 has been a year of change for PWA and the clients we serve. A new Executive Director was hired and began mid-year. Many of the prior Board Members, having made significant contributions to PWA during the transition, rolled off the Board and new members were recruited.

This change in leadership was only made possible with the dedication of the existing PWA staff members. Their commitment to providing case management and community services to people with HIV was exemplary and allowed services to continue with no interruption.

With new leadership comes change such as consolidating three offices into one, committing to transparency inside PWA and with our partners, and tightening HR practices. Perhaps the most consequential change came in the way services are delivered. PWA case managers worked with clients to help them shift from a perspective of entitlement to a perspective of empowerment. This shift helped PWA to utilize limited grant funds more effectively, and clients to learn and develop life skills and self-reliance.

Counties Served

8

Providing services across Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Iredell, Rowan, Surry, Stokes, and Yadkin Counties

Assistance Calls

400+

Received over 400 calls for assistance from people in the counties served

Case Management

129

People found eligible for case management services and assigned case managers

Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)

Total HOPWA Funding Utilized

$494,785.64

Clients Supported

212

Unduplicated

Average Support Per Client

$2,300

During this funding year, PWA utilized $494,785.64 to support 212 clients (unduplicated) for an average of approximately $2300/client. This funding has historically stayed stable and has allowed PWA to help clients' secure safe housing which in turn is linked to higher compliance with healthcare treatment plans.

Under HOPWA funding, PWA ensures that more than 75% of clients adhere to a medical treatment plan with a goal of maintaining a safe viral load and thus will not transmit the virus to others.

Goal for 2025:

In 2025, PWA seeks to increase the provision of HOPWA grant funds from 70% going to client services to 80% going to client services and 20% for operational expenses.

Ryan White Program

Total Ryan White Funding Utilized

$260,744.31

Clients Supported

287

Unduplicated

Average Support Per Client

$900

PWA expended $260,744.31 to serve 287 unduplicated clients, for just over $900/client. Again, this funding has remained steady but is not expected to increase. The focus of this funding is to ensure that clients have access to health care and adhere to their treatment protocol.

Again, the goal is to reduce the numbers of persons with HIV that can transmit the virus to others. Adherence to treatment results in more than 75% of the clients with a non-transmissible viral load.

It should be noted that PWA undergoes an audit of client charts, financial files and other programmatic record keeping annually. In 2024, PWA received no programmatic recommendations and only one financial correction.

Goal for 2025:

In 2025, PWA seeks to increase the provision of Ryan White grant funds from 41% going to client services to 60% going to client services and 40% for operational expenses.

Communication

Facebook Growth

15%

Instagram Growth

10%

Media Outlets Coverage

15+

Social Media Growth

In 2024 PWA saw our Facebook and Instagram following grow. Our Facebook page grew by 15%, and our Instagram by 10%. Although engagement slightly dipped by an average of 5 percent across all platforms, this is not a cause for concern, but rather a reflection of strategy to focus more on quality content relevant to our audience and mission, versus previous years' strategies of quantity, likes, and comments, as the barometer of success.

In 2024, PWA initiated a weekly "newsletter" disseminated on Thursday mornings with a focus on advocacy, education, community engagement, and people living with HIV. 2024 was the first step in curating more meaningful and relevant content.

Media Relations

In regards to media relations, PWA was featured in local media for the first time since 2022. This happened due to our new Executive Director's arrival and the press release announcing. The news was picked up by The Salisbury Post and a feature one on one with The Lexington Dispatch.

Both stories led to a placement by Yahoo! News and MSN News, subsequently leading to over 15 online media outlets covering her arrival.

Goals for 2025:

  • In 2025, PWA seeks to increase our social media following by 25%. And we will target an increase in engagement, with a target of 15%.
  • In 2025, PWA will review and expand our website to reflect the new expanded mission and vision.
  • In 2025, PWA will enhance the information platform via the "newsletter" format and formalizing other regular communication outreach.

Community Events & Fundraising

In 2024, the PWA team met with, and attended, numerous local non-profit organizations and national organizational events to explore opportunities for change in the future. In addition, staff members individually engaged and attended events throughout our community.

Although we did not directly participate in as many events as 2023, the involvements in 2024 were more strategic, targeted, and aided in moving the organization forward. We attended events celebrating regional success, like the United Way of Davidson County's Campaign Celebration. We also attended events meeting those in need where they are, like events help by The Shepherd's House in Yadkin County.

We took a step forward in sponsorship as an organization, becoming a sponsor for PRIDE WS's annual PRIDE Parade and Food Truck Festival. The end of the year saw a successful introduction of our new Executive Director. During our event, An Evening of Compassion, we made known our renewed commitment to our community to partners, allies, and important figures in our community. Attendees included Winston-Salem Mayor, Allen Joines, NC General Assembly State Representative, Amber Baker, as well as WS/FCS Superintendent, Tricia McManus.

2024 Events Timeline

March 2024

Women and Girls HIV Awareness Day

Online auction and in-person art class with food provided by Providence Catering from Second Harvest Food Bank.

Summer 2024

PRIDE WS Sponsorship

PWA became a sponsor for PRIDE WS's annual PRIDE Parade and Food Truck Festival.

November 2024

Thanksgiving Meal Program

Provided 10 randomly selected clients and their families with a full Thanksgiving dinner thanks to generous turkey donations.

December 2024

Lowes Foods Partnership

Partnered with Lowes Foods to raise awareness and funds. Shoppers using a specific barcode donated a portion of their purchase to PWA.

December 2024

Christmas Gift Program

Partnered with the Triad Softball League to deliver Christmas gifts to 52 families, individually selected and wrapped by league members.

December 2024

Giving Tuesday & End of Year Campaign

Annual fundraising effort asking the community to help rewrite the story for PWA clients.

2025 Planned Events

January 2025

Thrive in 25 Campaign Launch

Monthly donation program asking people to make recurring donations of their choice to support PWA's expanded mission.

February 2025

Community Health Forum

Educational event focused on chronic health conditions and available community resources.

March 2025

Popcorn Sale

Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser

March Madness

Tournament selection for both men's and women's teams (Sweet Sixteen).

April 2025

Women and Girls Health Awareness Day

Expanded program focusing on women's health issues beyond HIV/AIDS.

May 2025

Region 3 Ryan White Meeting

Community Partners meeting to discuss the impact on the lives of people living with HIV.

June 2025

PRIDE Month Activities

Expanded participation in regional PRIDE events with educational outreach and testing services.

September 2025

Community Health Fair

Collaborative event with healthcare partners offering screenings, education, and resources.

Goal for 2025:

PWA is focused on implementing a strategic approach to fundraising that incorporates planned giving, corporate sponsors, and grant funding. We begin with our Thrive in 25 campaign that asks people to make a monthly donation of their choice.

Each month we hope to have two events, 1) a purely fundraising opportunity and 2) a community engagement event that also serves to encourage donations.

In 2025 PWA will bring in additional $50,000 in grant funding. And is seeking to increase our individual donations from $2,750.00 to $10,000.

Financial Information

2023 Financial Overview

PWA is committed to financial transparency and responsible stewardship of all funds. Our 2023 tax filing is available for immediate viewing below.

Form 990 Tax Information (2023)
Click the button below to view our full tax filing documentation.

View Tax Documents

For additional financial information, please contact us at info@pwanc.org

Funding Sources

  • HOPWA grant funding disbursed and managed through the City of Winston-Salem
  • Ryan White grant funding disbursed and managed through the State of North Carolina
  • Individual donations and community support
  • Fundraising events and campaigns
  • Corporate partnerships and sponsorships

Financial Goals for 2025

  • Increase HOPWA grant allocation to client services from 70% to 80%
  • Increase Ryan White grant allocation to client services from 41% to 60%
  • Secure additional $50,000 in grant funding
  • Increase individual donations from $2,750 to $10,000
  • Implement "Thrive in 25" monthly donation program
  • Develop corporate sponsorship program

Connect With Us

Stay Connected

Follow us on social media to stay updated on our events, programs, and ways to get involved. Your support helps us continue our mission of providing comprehensive, caring, and compassionate supportive services for those in need.

Appreciation

During this year of transition a number of people worked hard to ensure that PWA stayed open and continued to provide supportive services to clients in need. First, the PWA staff and Board that took the responsibility to keep the doors open and ensure that funds were ethically used in compliance with grant regulations.

Our appreciation extends to the major funding support, the City of Winston-Salem that manages and disburses the HOPWA grant to support housing, and the State of North Carolina that manages and disburses the Ryan White grant to support medical services for HIV+ persons.

Although, there was a small number of individual donors, PWA would like to thank each and every person that demonstrated their support for people living with HIV in their community. And, we are proud to share that our Board members are the majority of the individual contributions, not only do they donate their time and skills, but they also support with financial donations.

PWA is dedicated to supporting professional development for our staff and other people working with PWA. Two of our staff are currently enrolled in Social Work programs and are committed to getting higher degrees in conjunction with their work at PWA. And PWA is historically willing and able to support interns in public health and other higher education programs.

Thank You For Your Support

Together we are making a difference in our community.

Contact Us

Get In Touch

We'd love to hear from you! If you have questions about our programs, want to volunteer, or are interested in supporting our mission, please reach out to us.

Address

3504 #3 Vest Mill Road
Winston-Salem, NC, 27103

Phone

336-248-4646

Email

info@pwanc.org

Send Us a Message

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