Oklahoma Regional AIDS Interfaith Network Scheduled to Close on May 15 Due to Lack of Funds
The Regional AIDS Interfaith Network, a not-for-profit organization that provides "comfort and solace" to people living with HIV/AIDS in Oklahoma, will close on May 15 unless it raises $40,000 to continue operating, the Daily Oklahoman reports. The organization, which was formed in 1990, relies on private donations to support its $270,000 annual budget. But RAIN officials say that donations have declined in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Jean Ann Van Krevelen, executive director of RAIN, said that donations have also been affected by public "apathy" for people living with HIV/AIDS, adding, "There's better treatment for them and they're living longer, but they still don't have a good support network -- and that's where we fit in." RAIN provided services to more than 230 people living with HIV/AIDS in 2001. More than 2,300 Oklahomans are HIV-positive, and 1,597 state residents have AIDS, according to the state Health Department (Killackey, Daily Oklahoman, 4/26).
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