PiCASO financial woes for HIV & AIDS clients

    An HIV and AIDS center in Greenville could be on its last legs because of serious money shortages.  It would leave roughly 180 clients in the dark, now “community donations” could be the last resort to keep the light on.
  It’s not business as usual at the Pitt County Aids Service Organization.  In addition to HIV-tests, counseling and assisting HIV and AIDS patients with drug costs—-counselors are now asking for donations.
  The centers board of directors president Aaron Lucier tells 9OYS this spring the centers largest financial donor—The United Way—cut roughly $25,000 in grant funding; a half dozen other agencies followed—-that left the center $40,000 in the hole.
  PiCASO tightened their belts over the summer, but with staff payroll and bills mounting, the center may have to close before the end of the fall.
  “The long-term prognosis no matter what the emergency or cuts that we make is not good for the agency,” Lucier said.  “Because this agency needs the support of the community to continue to function.“
  And after 18-years of helping countless AIDS patients live longer with the disease, Lucier adds that support isn’t guaranteed, “We sent over a thousand fundraiser letters out to folks in the community.  We got two back for a total of $50 which didn’t even pay for the postage to send out the letters.  So with that kind of reaction we have to ask ourselves—is this financially going to be feasible to keep this agency in the community?”

  PiCASO is asking for donations over the next eight weeks.  The response will determine whether they have the financial backing to remain open.  To help call (252) 830-1660 or type in the keyword: Donate on our website.