Description
Channels of Love Ministry is a non-profit, interdenominational, Christian organization that serves people infected with or affected by the HIV/AIDS virus. Our services, which are confidential and free, extend to clients and their families. The main focus of our ministry is to BE a channel through which God’s love can be shown to those suffering with the virus.
Though the “face of AIDS” has drastically changed since the early years when so many were dying, the ministry’s focus has been constant since its beginning -to provide a safe haven where clients can receive nuture, encouragement and the unconditional love of Jesus Christ that all humans desperately need. We endeavour to walk alongside clients as they sif through the multiple complexities of their lives and to be an encouragement in making healthy choices for their lives.
History
Since its inception in 1989, Channels of Love has consistenly offered love and hope of Christ that is rooted in the scriptures to many clients and their families dealing with HIV/AIDS. At our most fundamental level, we believe that Christ compels us to proactively administer His love through spiritual and emotional care, nuture and discipleship; through practical mercy assistance; through life skills education; and through prevention education in schools, prison, churches etc.
The services we provide are CONFIDENTIAL and no fees are charged. As always, we seek collaborations with other agencies that will enhance our programming and allow better stewardship of resources. We continue to have a collaborative relationship with Chattanooga Cares and Hamilton County Health Department for outreach and education as well as to guard against duplication of services.
We provide HIV education in several inner city schools. This has proven to be a wonderful opportunity for us to bring the prevention message to at-risk youth as well as a chance for several of our clients to tell their “story”. Clients talk to the students about how HIV has affected their lives, their choices, and the consequences of those choices. This process has been beneficial to our clients as well as the students. As you can imagine, this can be extremely risky for our clients. They risk being rejected, ridiculed or people knowing their HIV status. These times have served as a healing process for many clients.
We provide practical assistance in the form of utility payments, food, clothing and transportation. Advocacy continues to be one of our most important roles.