Remembering the losses through past decades, embracing the changing fight today, and celebrating the future, World AIDS Day’s mission is broader than ever. Sunday, December 1, 2019, is the day we come together to refocus our attention on our community’s crisis. AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is leading the way for awareness in South Florida.

This year they’re lining up a party to rock our area and get people engaged in a cause many seem to forget about, especially around the holidays. The bash goes down December 7, 2019 at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami, and will feature Todrick Hall of American Idol (as well as being the director for Taylor Swift’s, “You Need to Calm” down music video). Others include Miami’s own Amara La Negra and legendary Latin Grammy winning artist La India from Puerto Rico. Imara Canady from AHF told me the free event is set up to be a party with a purpose, that “Will be an evening of education, awareness, and engagement through an artistic lens. And it’s an opportunity to honor heroes. AHF will bring together a cross section of the South Florida community to pay tribute to some of the champions of the early AIDS epidemic, while also honoring a local community hero that continues to elevate the work of ending the stigma, ensuring access to care, and being a voice for the voiceless in the local community.”

While the party is fun, Imara says AHF’s mission has a serious focus, especially in the age of PrEP and undetectability. “As the epicenter of HIV in America, messaging around HIV education, awareness and prevention is critical for those living in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. AHF continues to stress the importance of all of the tools in the “safe sex” toolbox, including the incorporation of condom usage. In all of our health care and wellness centers, Out of the Closet Thrift Stores and on our mobile units, thousands of free condoms are distributed and made available. We also provide free condoms to local bars, and other venues, where at-risk populations frequent.” And their help is here for anybody. “ Through our commitment to providing services regardless of one’s ability to pay, we ensure that HIV testing and care are accessible to those individuals in need. Addressing the HIV epidemic disproportionately impacting the South Florida community and many communities across the south is going to take all facets of the community coming together to work on eliminating stigma, judgment and shame around the issue of HIV, and to get tested, know our status and create supportive communities no matter what a person’s status.”

Their mission has a small army helping a huge population. Six thousand employees help 1.3 million clients get life-saving care. “In South Florida alone, AHF currently provides services to over 15,000 individuals annually,” Imara told me. “Our commitment to continue to use innovative marketing and community engagement to provide critical education and awareness will continue in all communities. We will not just provide quality services in our health care and wellness centers, but will continue to make HIV and STD testing accessible, by bringing these services to communities across South Florida, and in high risk areas across the country.”