The Aliveness Project: Empowering Healthy and Self-Directed Lives, Fostering Community

It’s lunch time at The Aliveness Project and the cafeteria is bustling with conversation as more than 40 members and their guests enjoy the chef’s special, the Thai vegetable bowl, and many other healthy menu choices.

Upstairs Latin music pumps through the room, as members dance side by side in the daily Zumba class. Later in the evening, it will be Bingo night — a much-anticipated weekly event with fun prizes!

In offices and shared spaces, caseworkers have conversations with clients, listening and offering support and resources.

All around The Aliveness Project, there is a community feel that fosters belonging and acceptance.

The Aliveness Project, a Bridging agency partner, offers support and resources to people living with and at risk of HIV. For 40 years, the organization has been focused on its important mission: to empower healthy and self-directed lives and help end HIV.

As members of The Aliveness Project, individuals have access to hot meals, a food shelf with fresh and healthy options, and other services like free HIV testing. Clients who would like more comprehensive resources can access individualized care including housing support, case management, counseling resources, and community outreach. Clinical services are available at the agency’s Thrive clinic.

James McMurray is the Director of Social Services and Prevention at The Aliveness Project. He oversees a steadily expanding team of employees, a welcoming and skilled staff that reflects the diversity of identities and backgrounds in the community. The staff has more than doubled in the past three years to meet the individualized needs of the community.

“We offer a holistic approach. We get to impact people who are HIV positive and help ensure they live their lives to the fullest. We are also focused on harm reduction, empowering members and clients to make their own decisions, in a way that fosters their safety and well-being. We offer resources and support. The community needs us. They come in to access resources. We spend the extra time, and we know people by name.”

The agency also plays an important role in advancing social and racial equity: “There is a stigma. We bring that barrier the barriers down where people may not have been heard or seen,” says James.

“Equity is making sure that everyone is seen and heard at our agency and in the community.”

Caseworker Michelle works alongside clients, helping them navigate resources that will improve stability and well-being. Housing is an essential piece that is especially important for people living with HIV, according to Michelle:

“Housing stability is absolutely critical. Housing stability translates to positive health outcomes for people who are living with HIV. If you are living on the streets or from couch to couch, it can be harder to get medical care and fill essential prescriptions. Now there are so many excellent medicines available for HIV. When someone has stable housing, their medical picture improves. They can take care of themselves and have a good quality of life.”

The Aliveness Project has many partners and funding sources that translate into a multitude of housing options and rental subsidies for clients. A dedicated staff member, Shannon focuses on engaging landlords and securing safe and affordable housing options. Once clients secure housing, Aliveness Project caseworkers assist with referrals to Bridging.

A team of caseworkers gathers in a conference room over lunch. Enthusiastically, they chime in to describe what the Bridging experience and a furnished home mean to clients they work alongside:

“The dignity of choice at Bridging is so important,” says Cameron. “People are often robbed of choices, so at Bridging, it is powerful that they can personally express themselves through their choices, colors, and patterns.”

“Bridging is so trauma-informed,” says Nick. “I worked with a woman with two children who immigrated here. Bridging let me go back into the warehouse with her. The staff and volunteers made her feel comfortable in the space. … Once she got her furniture, we helped her set up the beds. The furniture makes her home feel so much better, more secure. She can go to work and save money, so her family can come here.”

Across the street, the Aliveness Project’s Thrive clinic provides free HIV testing, counseling, medications and supplies to reduce the risk and symptoms of HIV.  The team connects clients to MN Sure and responds to insurance needs, and a team of two specializes in outreach to the transgender community. To meet the rising needs, the Thrive clinic will soon be rehoused in the newly renovated lower level of The Aliveness Project’s primary location.

Outreach workers, equipped with a mobile van full of supplies, prepare for a day of making connections in the community. Four days per week, the team provides community outreach in the Thrive van. They also offer resources at the Hennepin County Library two days per week.

Clinic data analyst Matt highlights the impact of Thrive’s services: In 2023, the outreach team had 13,000 encounters with community members in need of support and services, including 2,600 free and confidential HIV tests.

The Aliveness Project is a valuable resource that fosters belonging and supports the well-being of a diverse community. Alongside partner agencies and the community, the team hopes to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030.

Learn more about The Aliveness Project and how you can get involved at Aliveness.org.  For more information about how you can partner with Bridging, visit Bridging.org.