People With AIDS Coalition records

Description data TOP

physdesc

{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"30.44 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear feet"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"73 boxes, 2 folders", "unit"=>"containers"}], "supress_display"=>true}

unitid

{"value"=>"MssCol 2379", "type"=>"local_call"}

{"value"=>"2379", "type"=>"local_mss"}

unitdate

{"value"=>"1986-1993", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1986/1993"}

date_inclusive_start

1986

date_inclusive_end

1993

keydate

1986

unittitle

{"value"=>"People With AIDS Coalition records"}

repository

{"value"=>"<span class=\"corpname\">The New York Public Library. <span class=\"subarea\">Manuscripts and Archives Division</span></span> <div class=\"address\"><span class=\"addressline\">New York, New York</span></div>"}

abstract

{"value"=>"The records document the pioneering efforts of a non-profit organization in New York City founded by people living with AIDS for the purpose of developing programs of caring and support for people with AIDS (PWAs) and for combating the atmosphere of fear, ignorance, and hostility associated with the disease. The founders maintained that people living with AIDS could lead productive and self-fulfilling lives when they practiced a philosophy of self-empowerment and self-reliance."}

prefercite

{"value"=>"<p>People with AIDS Coalition Records, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library.</p>"}

origination

{"value"=>"People with AIDS Coalition", "type"=>"corpname"}

bioghist

{"value"=>"<p>The People with AIDS Coalition (PWAC), a non-profit organization incorporated in New York State, was founded in New York City in 1985 by nine individuals, all of whom had contracted AIDS. They hoped to combat the atmosphere of ignorance, fear, and hostility that had accompanied the development of the disease from its onset. They adopted the acronyms PWA for People with AIDS and PWARC for People with AIDS Related Complex to replace what they regarded as pejorative stereotypes commonly employed by the mass media: victims, sufferers, and patients.</p> <p>The founders were inspired by the Denver Principles, a manifesto adopted in 1983 by PWAs and PWARCs at the National Lesbian and Gay Health Conference held in Denver. The Denver Principles proclaimed the need for self-empowerment and self-reliance by PWAs as well as the necessity of their taking an active role in the formulation of decisions affecting their lives. By taking a positive and constructive approach to the personal and social problems created by AIDS, the founders hoped to shift the emphasis from dying to living with AIDS in a dignified, purposeful, and self-fulfilling way. Their motto became \"Fighting for Our Lives.\"</p> <p>Starting on a modest budget, PWAC depended initially on unsolicited contributions and on the compassion and goodwill of community organizations. With the help of Paul Moore, Episcopal Bishop of New York, PWAC established its first headquarters in a townhouse owned by St. John's in the Village at 222 West 11th Street in Greenwich Village. There it created a congenial space called the Living Room where PWAs could meet one another, socialize, exchange information, and receive the comfort and support of their peers. Staffed by volunteers, the Living Room also offered free meals and a resource library.</p> <p>During the first five years under its successive executive directors, Michael Hirsch, Paul Van Souder, and William S. Case, other important programs were undertaken. The Community Research Initiative (CRI) began as a sponsored project in 1986/1987; it offered, through a network of medical doctors and patients who undertook their own drug studies and experimentation, an alternative to university-based research thereby hastening the availability of new drugs and therapies for the treatment of AIDS. In 1987, CRI became incorporated as an independent organization. Then, in March of 1987, the People with AIDS Health Group, a not-for-profit buyer's club, was set up by PWAC to provide easier access to drugs and other therapeutic substances difficult to obtain. During this period PWAC also established Hotline, a national telephone helpline staffed by volunteer PWAs who disseminated up-to-date information regarding AIDS; a speaker's bureau, which sponsored public lectures on AIDS; and <span class=\"title\">Newsline</span>, a monthly newsletter written by and for PWAs. A Spanish language version, <span class=\"title\">SIDAhora</span>, was added in the fall of 1989. In 1987 and 1988, PWAC also published <span class=\"title\">Surviving and Thriving with AIDS</span>, edited by co-founder Michael Callen, a two-volume work that received wide distribution.</p> <p>In September of 1988, PWAC signed a lease that enabled it to occupy more spacious headquarters in a building at 31 West 31st Street. With only a staff of six in 1988, and with funding dependent almost wholly on private donations, PWAC in the following years under the leadership of William S. Case and his successor, Christopher Babick, grew substantially in staff size, organizational complexity, and financial strength. The organization hired a director of development to oversee the raising of funds from private donors, foundations, and governmental agencies; a coordinator of volunteers to recruit and manage the ever-growing number of volunteer workers; and an editorial director to supervise the production of PWAC's newsletters. While receipts from unsolicited contributions continued to play a large role, large grants were also obtained from the AIDS Institute of the New York State Department of Health and from the New York City Department of Health.</p> <p>During the almost eight years of its corporate existence PWAC became the largest self-help organization of people living with AIDS/HIV in America and served as a leader in the PWA self-empowerment movement. As a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic organization composed largely of volunteers under the leadership of a dynamic and dedicated executive staff, it served as a model for many other groups across the country who sought to implement its philosophy of living with AIDS in a spirit of dignity and self-fulfillment.</p> <p>In early 1993, PWAC suffered a financial crisis brought on by a sharp decline in contributions coupled with an inordinately high rental overhead for its headquarters. With little prospect of achieving a restoration of its funding from contributions, at least in the short term, and unable to reach an agreement with the landlord for a reduction of its rental overhead, PWAC's board of directors voted on June 9th to dissolve the corporation.</p> <p>Another organization, the People with AIDS Coalition of New York (PWAC/NY), was subsequently founded for the purpose of carrying on the mission of the original People with AIDS Coalition, which, in June 1999, was assumed by Body Positive Incorporated.</p>"}

scopecontent

{"value"=>"<p>The records consist of correspondence and papers of the executive directors and departmental officers relating to the establishment of programs to aid in coping with the personal and social problems caused by the spread of AIDS in the New York City metropolitan area. The records reflect the founders' philosophy which emphasized the need for self-empowerment and self-reliance on the part of people living with AIDS.</p> <p>Included are administrative files of the following departments: development department, which raised funds from private and institutional sources; the publication department, which published a monthly newsletter, <span class=\"title\">Newsline</span>, and a Spanish language edition, <span class=\"title\">SIDAhora</span>; the volunteer department, which conducted Hotline, a national telephone service, and a speakers bureau. Additional materials include board of directors' meeting minutes, and sound and video recordings.</p> <p>In order to protect the privacy of individuals, some materials have been restricted for a period of twenty-five years, until the year 2023. The bulk of the restricted material consists of correspondence and personal narratives from people requesting anonymity.</p>"}

{"value"=>"<p class='list-head'>The People With AIDS Coalition records are arranged in eight series:</p>\n<ul class='arrangement series-descriptions'>\n<li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/2379#c53463'>Series I. Executive Director's files</a></div>\n<div class='series-extent'>23 boxes</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>This series is arranged alphabetically by name, subject, or topic and reflects the work of the organization's executive directors: Michael Hirsch, Paul Van Souder, William S. Case, and Christopher Babick.</p> <p>The files document the intent of the founders to implement their philosophy of self-help, self-reliance, and self-empowerment in coping with the personal and social problems caused by the spread of AIDS in New York City; and their efforts at mobilizing public and private support for the funding of programs to aid in combating the disease. Included are extensive records relating to the creation of the AIDS Consortium (New York AIDS Consortium), and records relating to the organization's collaboration with various city and state agencies, including the AIDS Institute of the New York State Department of Health. The file titles reflect those originally present in the records, with a few exceptions that were amended for the sake of clarity.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/2379#c53663'>Series II. Development department files</a></div>\n<div class='series-extent'>17 boxes 1 oversize folder</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>This series is arranged into three subseries: Subseries II.A. Topical files, Subseries II.B. Foundation files, and Subseries II.C. Special event files. Each subseries is arranged alphabetically.</p> <p>These records reflect the work of the directors of development, Douglas Wingo and Kenneth Maldonado, and their associates who were responsible for fund-raising from private donors, corporations, foundations, and governmental agencies. Included are records reflecting the techniques used in raising funds from private and institutional sources, as well as extensive documentation relative to the planning and presentation of fund-raising dances, receptions, festivities, and other events involving the collaboration of popular vocalists, artists, musicians, and stage performers.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/2379#c53886'>Series III. Publication department files</a></div>\n<div class='series-extent'>21 boxes</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>This series is arranged into two subseries: Subseries III.A. <span class=\"title\">Newsline</span> files and Subseries III.B. <span class=\"title\">SIDAhora</span> files. In both subseries, newsletters and supporting materials include correspondence from PWAs, people who have lost friends and lovers, health professionals, activists, and support groups; articles and drafts; annotated editorials; and final edited copy. Each subseries is arranged alphabetically.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/2379#c53935'>Series IV. Volunteer department files</a></div>\n<div class='series-extent'>4 boxes</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>This series is arranged into three subseries: Subseries IV. A. Topical files, Subseries IV.B. Hotline files, and Subseries IV.C. Speakers bureau files. Each subseries is arranged alphabetically.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/2379#c53980'>Series V. Board of Directors files</a></div>\n<div class='series-extent'>4 boxes</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>This series is arranged alphabetically and consists of committee files; correspondence and memoranda; meeting minutes; and materials relating to training, policies, and procedures.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/2379#c53998'>Series VI. Financial records</a></div>\n<div class='series-extent'>2 boxes</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>This series is arranged alphabetically and consists of auditors' reports, balance sheets, budgets, and other materials.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/2379#c54006'>Series VII. Sound and video recordings</a></div>\n<div class='series-extent'>4 audiocassettes 4 reel-to-reels 17 videocassettes</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>This series is arranged alphabetically and contains materials produced and collected by PWAC, including off-air recordings.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/2379#c54030'>Series VIII. Artifacts</a></div>\n<div class='series-extent'>1 box 2 oversize folders</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>This series is arranged alphabetically and consists of buttons, certificates of recognition, cloth banners, and posters.</p></div></li></ul>\n", "type"=>"arrangement"}

arrangement

{"value"=>"<p>The People with AIDS Coalition records are organized in the following series:</p> <ul> <li>Series I. Executive Director's files</li> <li>Series II. Development department files</li> <li>Series III. Publication department files</li> <li>Series IV. Volunteer department files</li> <li>Series V. Board of Directors files</li> <li>Series VI. Financial records</li> <li>Series VII. Sound and video recordings</li> <li>Series VIII. Artifacts</li></ul>", "supress_display"=>true}

acqinfo

{"value"=>"<p>Gift of the People with AIDS Coalition, February 1994</p>"}

accessrestrict

{"value"=>"<p>Some records contain confidential information and are sealed for a period of 25 years or until the year 2023.</p>"}

{"value"=>"<p>Sound and video recordings may be unavailable pending duplication.</p>"}

relatedmaterial

{"value"=>"<span class=\"archref\">ACT UP New York records. Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library.</span> <span class=\"archref\">AIDS and Adolescents Network of New York records. Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library.</span> <span class=\"archref\">Gay Men's Health Crisis records. Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library.</span> <span class=\"archref\">Joseph A. Sonnabend papers. Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library.</span>"}

processinfo

{"value"=>"<p>Compiled by John D. Stinson.</p>"}

extent_statement

30.44 linear feet (73 boxes, 2 folders)

date_start

1986

date_end

1993

Update Collection TOP

Update from EAD XML File

Child components TOP

1. Series I. Executive Director's files [145/1]
2. Series II. Development department files [3/1]
3. Series III. Publication department files [2/1]
4. Series IV. Volunteer department files [3/1]
5. Series V. Board of Directors files [14/1]
6. Series VI. Financial records [5/1]
7. Series VII. Sound and video recordings [23/1]
8. Series VIII. Artifacts [4/1]