In 1989, AIDS was a very frightening reality. Many people were losing friends and loved ones to the virus which killed rapidly and often painfully. HIV+ people often felt lonely, isolated, afraid, and judged by the tremendous stigma associated with the illness. They didn't know how long they would live and had to manage both their own survival and the grief of losing friends and community. HIV/AIDS information, treatment options, and support services were much more limited than they are today. To combat the fear and care for each other, people living with the virus organized what would become the Boston Living Center.

A small Thanksgiving meal -- where people feeling isolated from family and friends gathered for companionship -- led to the creation of small regular informal dinners in the homes of people impacted by HIV. These dinners laid the foundations of the BLC where the tradition of weekly dinners has continued for 20 years. Having weekly gatherings offered, and continues to offer, an essential space where HIV+ people could talk openly about their status, fears, hopes and needs.

The founding members recognized the need for services and wanted to offer more than weekly dinners. In 1989, the BLC secured space on the seventh floor of the Clarendon Street YWCA. Here HIV+ people could come together and feel comforted and connected as part of a pro-active community in the face of great need. The Center now offered a weekly congregate dinner, hosted at AIDS Action Committee (across the street from the YWCA), with donations from local restaurants. The BLC also began to expand, offering social events, workshops and most importantly, a supportive community for members.

Back then, dinner was prepared on a little four burner stove. All of the supplies and office furniture were donated; the BLC didn't even have a phone. When someone called it went to a pay phone outside the office door. In 1995, dinners, office furniture and even the phone number (though now connected to our own phone line) moved into the BLC's current home at 29 Stanhope Street. The move has allowed the Center to expand its services to include meals 5 days a week, regular counseling services, a computer classroom, career counseling, and holistic care.

The BLC has grown to be the largest community center serving the HIV/AIDS population in New England. In 2008, the BLC served over 1,500 members and their families. BLC services remain as important as ever. Unique among AIDS Service Organizations because of our community peer support model, the BLC has enjoyed tremendous success. Members benefit from the BLC approach and philosophy. Staff and peers see our members thrive as they become part of the BLC community: viral loads decrease, medication adherence increases, and people begin to thrive with HIV, rather then simply cope. For 20 years the Boston Living Center has been providing a safe, caring environment for men and women living with HIV, and will continue to do so as long as our services are needed.