Boston Living Center
Founded in 1989, at the height of the AIDS epidemic, the Boston Living Center (BLC) is New England’s largest drop-in community and resource center for people living with HIV/AIDS. The BLC seeks to enrich the lives of people living with HIV and responds to the changing needs of the community by offering members free services and resources including peer support, meals, wellness, and education.
Wrapping services around a congregate meal, investing in community and social capital, professionalizing peers, providing a safe, non-medical place to reconnect and/or remain connected to care, have been key components of what many have found helpful, if not transformative.
Everything a member may seek at the BLC, above and beyond their HIV diagnosis, would also be so helpful to so many others. That is why the BLC is expanding to serve people living with chronic health conditions including and beyond HIV, people who are experiencing housing and/or food insecurity, and those who are isolated, as examples.