Aids Care Ocean State

Paul Fitzgerald founded the Family AIDS Center for Treatment (FACTS) in 1987 to address mother to child transmission of HIV. He worked tirelessly with community members to establish housing, preventative care, and counseling to families affected by HIV/AIDS.

In 2010, AIDS Care Ocean State celebrated its 20th anniversary, and we look forward to providing essential services to persons living with HIV/AIDS until there is a cure.
Noteworthy Accomplishments

1988: FACTS and Rhode Island Hospital work to establish a pediatric AIDS clinic under the direction of Dr. Peter Smith. It is one of 13 original pediatric AIDS programs in the country.

1989: The first clients move into Sunrise House and in 2004 it becomes the only licensed assisted living facility in Rhode Island.

1994: ACOS begins our needle exchange program to provide clean needles to intravenous drug users to prevent HIV transmission from used syringes.

1998: FACTS and Sunrise House officially merge to form AIDS Care Ocean State- making us the largest provider of services to persons living with HIV/AIDS in the state.

2006: ACOS opens a Prevention Center to provide rapid HIV testing, safe sex materials, and counseling. We also open our Donation Center.

2008: ACOS constructs 6 multi-family housing units for persons living with HIV and their families in addition to Malm Manor, Sunrise House, Austin Place and New Transitions.

2010: ACOS celebrates 20 years of service to the community

2012: ACOS receives a $ million grant to build additional housing units for our clients in the historic Elmwood section of Providence.