At the height of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980’s, our Co-Founders, Dr. Terry and Faye Zealand identified a need for in-patient homes to care for HIV-positive babies who were either abandoned or orphaned. The demand for safe and loving care facilities led to the establishment of the St. Clare’s Homes for Children. Since it opened in 1985, the Home’s began providing services to HIV-positive babies as the first of its kind in the United States.
Since its St. Clare’s Home’s flagship program, the AIDS Resource Foundation for Children (ARFC) has evolved to provide comprehensive services for all individuals living with or impacted by HIV/AIDS.  Although ARFC has expanded significantly to include men, women, and youth, the essence of its mission, vision, and values continues to be aligned with its goals.
We provide services to vulnerable populations men, women, children, and youth affected by HIV/AIDS. Our St. Clare’s Homes for Children and Academy Street Firehouse programs are specific to children.
Our services include:
- Transitional housing for HIV-positive young men and women
- Transitional housing for medically fragile children
- Supportive housing for individuals, children, and families impacted by HIV/AIDS
- Social services for individuals, children, and families impacted by HIV/AIDS
- Afterschool program for school-age children impacted by HIV/AIDS
Our programs are specific to HIV-impacted individuals, children, and families in New Jersey. We have transitional homes in Neptune, East Orange, Jersey City, Ventnor, and Elizabeth, and our headquarters is in Newark. ARFC also receives referrals to our programs from outside New Jersey.
Head over to our Contact Us page for contact information for each Program Director.
Beatrice Simpkins: St. Clare’s Homes for Children
Luis Ulerio: St. Clare’s Housing Program
Veronica Sanders: St. Clare’s Social Services
Dr. Jaclyn Harte: Academy Street Firehouse Youth Program
Courtney Darby: Brighter Beginnings
Jeanine Jones: Project Nest
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