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Rural HIV/AIDS Protest: 1991

  • Protest2
    Protests in 1991 & 1992 represented a response by an outraged rural population robbed of vital tax dollars necesary to maintain services in the countryside. As a result of these protests, rural AIDS service organizations prospered through the 1990s. Through the first half of this decade, Portland bureacrats eager to promote their careers co-opted the Statewide Planning Groups responsible for distribution of these tax dollars.

S.F. AIDS/ARC Vigil: 1986

  • More_vigil_volunteers
    The AIDS/ARC Vigil on United Nations Plaza at the Civic Center first drew attention to the interrelated problems of poverty, homelessness and AIDS in 1985. Protestors chained themselves to the Federal Building to publicize the need for increased federal response to the crisis. Billy Russo, Harm Reduction Center of Southern Oregon founder, participated in the Vigil for three weeks in the spring of 1986. His participation influenced the evolution of the organization over its 20 year history.

Remembering our volunteers

  • Under Construction

Jesse C. Corder Memorial Park

  • Jesse_c_corder
    JCC Memorial Park is named for the first person to publicly acknowledge living with HIV/AIDS in rural Southern Oregon. Trees are planted for the people who died in Southwest Oregon. The Park serves as a silent witness to how we addressed the epidemic through the dying years. THIS ALBUM IS UNDER CONTRUCTION.

The Ruby House Years

  • UNDER CONSTRUCTION

HIV Resource Center: 1998-2006

  • The HIV Resource Center. the precursor to HRCSO served Douglas, Coos and Curry Counties. In 2006 it merged with AIDS Support And Prevention (ASAP) in Grants Pass. The two AIDS Service Organizations reorganized as HRCSO

About

A Brief History

The Harm Reduction Center of Southern Oregon (HRCSO) is a project of the Douglas County AIDS Council, which is governed by a board of directors.  The Board meets quarterly.  Board Development, Investments, Fund Development and Program Development/Evaluation Committees meet throughout the year and recommend policy and strategy to the full board.   

• DCAC evolved from the Roseburg AIDS Task Force in 1986 and received 501(c)(3) status in
  1987. 
• We operated the first successful home outside the Portland area for people living with
  HIV/AIDS, Ruby House, from 1988 to 1998.
• In 1998 we opened a storefront office in Roseburg, HIV Resource Center, and begin offering
  HIV prevention education and screening. 
• In 2001 we began providing syringe exchange in the Roseburg area. 
• In 2002 we expanded our prevention program to include Coos and Curry Counties along the
  southern Oregon coast.
• In 2003 we formed the Roseburg Hepatitis C Task Force with Douglas County Public Health and
  the Veterans Administration Medical Center and began integrating Hep C prevention into our
  programs.
• In 2005 we began offering Hep C and Hep B screening and Hep a-B vaccination to injection
  drug users in partnership with Douglas County Public Health.
• In 2006 we merged with AIDS Support And Prevention (ASAP) in Grants Pass and changed our
  name to Harm Reduction Center of Southern Oregon.
• In 2007 we begun addressing the disparity in services between urban and rural people affected
  by HIV/AIDS.  We believe rural people must have access to HIV services that are relevant and
  appropriate.

To learn more about the work of the Harm Reduction Center, our programs and our history, click on categories and the photo albums in the left sidebar.  To make a contribution, click on one of the options under GIVING in the sidebar.

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Our Goals

For over twenty years, we have been building an environment of leadership, partnership, advocacy, and service to significantly reduce the dangers and health risks associated with HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and other communicable diseases. We strive to improve the health and well-being of people infected or affected by HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and other communicable diseases.

We will meet these goals by:

1. Serving as a community resource;
2. Reducing barriers to testing and counseling;
3. Implementing proven intervention strategies;
4. Enhancing access to medical services;
5. Maintaining a volunteer program; and
6. Educating and motivating our citizens through effective outreach programs.

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Where we live and work

Oregon_with_ribbon_flat_3 We serve an area covering four counties, totaling 9,900 square miles with two population centers (Roseburg and Grants Pass) along the I-5 corridor and Reedsport, Coos Bay/North Bend, Bandon, Port Orford, Gold Beach and Brookings along the Oregon coast.  Over a quarter million people live in the region we serve.  Many of them are members of high-risk populations. 

More than 150 people are reported to be infected with HIV in this area.  Chronic Hepatitis C became reportable in Oregon on July 1, 2005.  Over 600 chronic cases have been reported.   While the incidence of HIV in rural Oregon is low and the incidence of Hepatitis C has not been fully documented, the presence of high-risk activities, particularly injection drug use and unprotected sex, are significant.  We are the only community based organization providing these services in this four county region.

Disclaimer mandated by Federal law: This site contains HIV prevention messages that might not be appropriate for all audiences. Since HIV infection is spread primarily through sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages and programs may address these topics. If you are not seeking such information or may be offended by such materials, please exit this website.

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