The Midwest AIDS Prevention Project (MAPP) was founded in the summer of 1988 by a group of four individuals who had been organizing and conducting AIDS prevention workshops for the Special Office on AIDS Prevention at the Michigan Department of Public Health. Originally working through grants to the Michigan Organization for Human Rights (MOHR) the original outreach workers had developed programs based on models from the Gay Men's Health Crisis in New York. They initially targeted Gay and Bisexual men as well as college students across the state. MAPP grew rapidly and soon developed some of the first media campaigns and outreach techniques that became a model across the Midwest. By the early nineties, MAPP had a staff of ten and implemented hundreds of programs that reached tens of thousands of people across Michigan, Indidana, and northwest Ohio. The MAPP Timeline 2004 The areas first concerted HIV testing begins in Gay bars, bath houses and in the field. The program is pioneered by MAPP staff. 2003 MAPP begins the first HIV and STI education and prevention on the Internet in chat rooms for men who have sex with men. The program achieves national and international attention. 2002 MAPP begins programs targeting prevention and support for people with AIDS, called POP (Prevention for Positives). 2000 MAPP founds WAGS, a support program for People Living with HV/AIDS and their pets. 2001 MAPP increases women's programming, and begins Lesbian A-Sisters to help women with disabilities. 1999 MAPP begins the state's first advocacy/social/support group for the emerging gay/bisexual Latino community entitled "La Comunidad" under the leadership of Victor Oliveros and Michael Flores 1998 MAPP operates out of its new offices at the Community Pride Building in Ferndale Michigan. 1998 MAPP begins the state's first support and social group for Gay Asian men and their friends under the leadership of Robert Thomas. 1997 MAPP collects and analyzes the sixth annual Michigan Gay Male Survey on attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs among Michigan gay men. 1996 MAPP staff increases to eight people, and MAPP increased its programming for the African American community. 1992-1995 MAPP greatly increases its work in area high schools, conducting hundreds of programs annually across the state of Michigan. MAPP also provides youth programming in detention centers, for Sunday school classes, and at facilities for at risk youth. Staff includes Cathy Sullivan, Grant writer and Manager. 1990-1992 MAPP and its director, Craig Covey, wins a series of awards for excellence in programming and advertising, including the Metra Award, Pad Award, Pride Awards, and a half dozen Addy awards. 1989 MAPP works out of its new offices at 660 Livernois in Ferndale MI with four staff people, including Kevin Hileman, a heterosexual man. 1989 MAPP hosts the Fourth Annual Gay Pride Banquet. 1988 Richard Villaire, Craig Covey, Lisa Fields, and Liz McGough found a new organization dedicated to HIV education and prevention called Midwest AIDS Prevention Project (MAPP) 1987 Michigan conducts its first statewide Gay male survey to measure beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes on HIV among Michigan's gay male community. 1986 The new HIV antibody test becomes an important tool in fighting the AIDS epidemic. 1986 The first Michigan "Tour for Life" travels to nine Michigan cities with HIV prevention workshops, programs, and media interviews. Organizers Craig Covey and Richard Viillaire target Gay men and college students. 1985 After five years, and thousands of deaths, then President Reagan first mentions AIDS. Rock Hudson admits to having AIDS, and dies from the disease. Gay community lobbyists in Detroit and Lansing get the first funding earmarked for AIDS work in Michigan from the state Dept of Public Health. 1981 The disease begins showing up among homosexual men, Haitian immigrants, and IV drug users in large coastal American cities. Deaths begin and the medical community begins to take note. 1979-1980 A new infectious disease is being transmitted world-wide unknowingly by medical workers, Haitians, gay and bisexual men, IV drug users, and others, beginning in central Africa, in large cities in Europe and the Americas.

Website Material Content Notice: This site contains HIV prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences. If you are not seeking such information, or may be offended by such materials, please exit this website. Midwest AIDS Prevention Project, 429 Livernois, Ferndale, MI 48220 248-545-1435 | 888-A CONDOM | fax 248-545-3313 | info@aidsprevention.org