During the grant AVOC increased their outreach contacts by 66%, and over 35 new points of contact were established where ongoing services will be delivered to the target populations.

AVOC has incorporated the Immigrant Access to Care model in their regular programming.  It is now part of their education and case management departments.  Services continue to be modified to address needs as they arise to ensure quality improvement.  Community stakeholders receive periodic newsletters, meeting invitations and continuing education opportunities to ensure they remain connected to the project.

AVOC has established ongoing avenues to provide education and services to the targeted communities.  Follow-up activities include the continuation of training through AVOC’s ACE Education program which provides both Latino and African culturally specific information for staff and volunteers.  AVOC is also exploring partnering with Santa Maria Community Services or the University of Kentucky to increase outreach to these populations by implementing the Promotoras Program.

AVOC contracted with a design firm and a brand firm to develop a new brand identity.  Focus groups were conducted with board members, staff, volunteers, clients and the general public.  Feedback was that AVOC’s new name should contain the word AIDS in order to make the agency’s mission clear and to deliver an emotional impact.  STOP AIDS was chosen as the agency’s new name and will be presented at the annual meeting.  Materials developed include a new logo, stationary, business card and brochure design.

$50,000 was needed to raise for the continuation of the Fund Development staff position. This objective was achieved through dedicated revenue from grants, gifts and corporate donations.  The development staff person recently left the organization, and that position has been restructured.  Fund development responsibilities are now shared among a fund development committee composed of board and non-board participants, a newly filled community investment staff position, and a grant writer staff position for which recruitment has begun.

During the grant period:

• Donor prospects were increased by 40% over the 24 month grant timeframe.
• Of the 128 donors contacted who were new to AVOC during the two-year grant period, 87% had a favorable or better reactions to AVOC development activities by the end of year two.
• Donor revenue increased by 12% in year one and by 21% in year two.
• Focus groups, third party interviews, a community impact study and quality assurance feedback indicate that AVOC enjoys a strong reputation as a tightly managed, effective social service agency.  A decision was made to forego the surveys until the rebranding process is completed.
• Web site hits increased by 22%, from approximately 650 hits per year to 800 hits by the end of the grant period. Requests for presentations increased by 9%, from approximately 300 in 2004 to 336 in 2006.  AIDS Walk participation increased by 25%.  There was a 66% increase in African Americans participating in the annual AIDS walk in 2006.