On October 19, Iris House, an HIV organization for women and families, celebrated 30 years of service with a party honoring its staff, supporters, state officials and more.

Founded in 1992, Iris House, named after AIDS activist, writer and performer Iris De La Cruz, provides comprehensive support, prevention and education services for women, families and underserved communities affected by HIV and AIDS.

The event featured food, cocktails, music and the screening of a short film highlighting the agency’s 30 years serving the greater New York/New Jersey area.

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Iris House executive director Ingrid Floyd presented awards to Mindy Fullilove, MD; Robert Fullilove, EdD; and Assemblywoman Inez Dickens for their longtime commitment to people living with HIV, substance use disorders and mental health issues in vulnerable New York City communities.

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Floyd thanked everyone at the event for their lasting support, which has allowed Iris House to provide life-saving care to thousands of people over the years. At a time when other agencies are closing their doors, Iris House recently opened a new location in Plainfield, New Jersey, she noted.

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Floyd said the agency hopes to continue to connect with young people at risk for HIV through outreach and engagement in schools and churches in New York and New Jersey.

“In our work in New Jersey, we have a particular focus on youth and young adults, which we will be able to expand on at this new site in addition to continuing our services to and for women living with HIV,” Floyd said in a press release.

Iris House prides itself on creating a safe space for women living with HIV to get support and advice from their peers. Its Love Your Life/Ama Tu Vida virtual group, for example, enables women living with HIV across the country to discuss treatment, relationships, stigma, mental health, empowerment and more with one another.

Click here to learn more about available programs at Iris House.

For more content about the HIV nonprofit, click #Iris House. And for a related article from the current issue of POZ, read “A Life of Service,” a feature about Yolanda Diaz, a health educator at Iris House and co–founding member of Positive Women’s Network–USA, a group that empowers and supports HIV-positive women.