PATF Begins Third Decade With Serious HIV/AIDS Challenge

Did you know that more than 3,600 people in Southwestern Pennsylvania may be infected with HIV or AIDS? This alarming fact was recently reported by the Allegheny County Health Department and PA Department of Health.

The Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force (PATF) officially marks the beginning of its third decade providing service and support for people living with HIV/AIDS and those at risk of infection. As the need for support, prevention and education about this disease has grown, so has PATF evolved from its roots to become the Pittsburgh region’s oldest AIDS service organization. On its 30th anniversary of service, PATF has renewed its commitment, vision and brand image to create positive change.

During the past year, PATF has undergone a number of changes that reflect the renewed commitment and spirit required to address the growing epidemic of this disease. PATF’s Executive Director, Kathi Boyle, joined the organization in 2004 and has since collaborated with board, staff, consumers, volunteers and other AIDS service organizations to focus PATF’s support more closely on current conditions of HIV positive people. Boyle reorganized services, developed a new strategic plan and vision for the organization, implemented more client-centered programs and drove the process to create a new identity that embodies PATF’s role going forward.

“We must sound the alarm, again, about this disease,” said Kathi Boyle. “Whether as a result of complacency or need for educating a broader range of people, HIV/AIDS continues to be a major health crisis in our region and throughout the U.S. The need for enhancing outreach initiatives and educating our communities underscores our purpose in fighting to prevent the increasing rate of infection and to help ease the challenges of those living with HIV/AIDS,” she added.

PATF recently updated its brand image, including its agency logo, while recommitting its promise to the communities it serves. As a result of an independent audit recommending enhanced communications and outreach to raise public awareness, again, regarding HIV/AIDS, the organization has kept its name, but updated its identity and symbol for communicating its programs and services.

The new logo features the agency’s acronym – PATF – in black and red with a human form bursting forth from the letter “A.” The graphic expresses both PATF’s work to empower those living with HIV/AIDS and those at risk of infection to lead healthier and more productive lives. The image and colors used in the logo also represent the immediacy of the need to prevent spread of the disease.

With assistance from a “Managing for Excellence Initiative” grant by The Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management and the United Way of Allegheny County, with generous support from the Heinz Endowments and the Burke Family Foundation, PATF partnered with Veritas Communications to update its brand identity program.

PATF recently developed and launched the following brand promise statement, which served as foundation for refocusing the organization:

“Building on our two decades of experience, PATF fights to break the cycles of prejudice, apathy and denial that are leading to increasing rates of HIV infection, AIDS and death.”

For more information about the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force, please vwww.patf.org or call (412) 242-2500.

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