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Our History: Eastern Maine AIDS Network is a not-for-profit agency founded in 1987 as a grass roots response to the needs of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS throughout eastern and northern Maine. By 1991, EMAN had established crisis-management and educational outreach programs from its tiny two-room Bangor office. Between 1992 and 2003, EMAN produced three videos about people in Maine living with HIV/AIDS, one of which achieved global recognition through being featured at the 1992 International AIDS Conference. In 1994, the agency offered the first SAFER program to educate high school students about HIV/AIDS and GLBTQ issues; this program continues to be highly successful and effective. In 2000, EMAN established an HIV testing program at the University of Maine at Orono; from this has evolved a close relationship with the Peer Education group, who created and donated the quilt which currently is proudly displayed in the EMAN Conference Room. In 2002, EMAN established a Syringe Exchange Program which has achieved recognition as being the most successful in the State of Maine. After spending seven years in a modest office on Exchange Street, in September 2002, EMAN moved to its current location at 370 Harlow Street. The more spacious offices allowed for the development of additional needed programs to better serve their clients and families. In 2008, EMAN hosted its first annual Red Ribbon Ball, currently the largest fundraiser of the year. In addition, the first AIDS walk to occur in Bangor in over 10 years was a significant success. From its humble origins in 1987 as primarily an information service, EMAN has evolved into an agency which offers a variety of services and support for clients who are living with HIV/AIDS. Extensive client services include case management, emergency funding, food pantry, social services, support groups and additional activities. For the general public, the agency offers extensive informational and prevention education as well as HIV antibody testing. As EMAN has achieved its twentieth anniversary, it continues to provide information, emotional support, needed resources, referral services and prevention materials/products (e.g. clean needles and condoms) to walk-in clients in a manner that is timely, sensitive, client-oriented, non-judgmental, welcoming and necessary. EMAN proudly and compassionately continues to serve the communities of eastern and northern Maine in the education and prevention of HIV/AIDS. |