News & Events

Thank you to donors, volunteers, and collaborators who helped us meet our goals.

Honoring Alex at our 36th AIDS Walk, welcoming Tomás, our newest board member and expressing gratitude!

February 2023 Newsletter

…. Said Sue Conley, the relationship “just blossomed from there.”

By Robert F. Smith/The Commons

BRATTLEBORO—On Jan. 13, 2023, Karen Peterson will step down as the executive director of Brattleboro’s AIDS Project of Southern Vermont (APSV), and Samba Diallo will move into that position.

Peterson has been at APSV for 30 years and Diallo has most recently run the project’s Harm Reduction Program.

Event Sponsors: Brown Computer Solutions, Caracul Consulting, West River Family Dental Gold Sponsors: Dummerston Congregational Church, Re-Pete Property Maintenance Service Silver Sponsors: Frog Meadow, JDP Services, Vermont Quince Co. Table Sponsors: Samba Diallo, Kyle Hamilton, Charles Lappen, Karl Oppenheimer, Tracy Sloan, Miss Ginger Soulless, Ellen Wood In Kind Donors: The Ladies of the Rainbow, American Legion, Cabot Cheese, Lotus Graphics, Adam Toepfer, Cathy, Shawn and John

Program Meets Opioid Users Where They Are

Published in The Commons, Nov. 2, 2022 by Robert F. Smith

Because shame and punishment have proven ineffective in curbing the use of harmful opioids, the AIDS Project has taken a different approach through its Harm Reduction Program in Bennington and Windham counties.

Instead of shaming people with Substance Use Disorder, the program uses a compassionate, harm reduction approach.

Hellos, goodbyes, celebration and welcoming back The Ladies of the Rainbow!

Karen Peterson and Samba Diallo, respectively the outgoing and incoming executive director of the AIDS Project of Southern Vermont, hold signs outside their Brattleboro office. 

Photo by Kevin O’Connor/VTDigger

Narcan, naloxone boxes, phones, backpacks, rescue breathing barriers and more…. We truly appreciate UVM CORA’s support of our harm reduction program!

Lama Tomás on behalf of Bob T. supports our syringe services program outreach efforts with donations of gift cards.

Heartfelt thanks to the generous donor who answered our request for nutritional shakes. This donation will go a long way in supporting the nutritional needs of our friends living with HIV.

“The right time for me to move on.” Executive Director Karen Peterson writes about her decision to leave AIDS Project at end of year.

2021 - another year in which the AIDS Project continued to fulfil its service mission despite considerable challenges….

Thank you to our sponsors, board and staff members, and the community for helping us raise $30,000 at our 35th Walk. Still time to help us reach our goal of $35,000!

Join us for our 35th Annual AIDS Walk on May 21st at 10 a.m. at the Centre Congregational Church, Main Street, Brattleboro. The Walk for Life is a symbolic walk meant to honor and celebrate the love we share for the members of our community and families who have been affected by HIV/AIDS.

We are honored to be the recipients of a grant from the Vermont Community Foundation’s Crosby-Gannett Fund. On behalf of our HIV-positive clients and their pets — Thank you!!!

“This Valentine’s Day my heart is overflowing for the generosity of the Brattleboro Food Coop and their customers during January’s Round Up for Change. Your support means the world to all of us at the AIDS Project.” — Karen Peterson, Executive Director