Our History
Early ActionAIDS client receiving services
In September 1986, a group of 84 committed volunteers came together in Center City Philadelphia to form a community of care to provide services to people with AIDS. These were the partners, family, and friends of our founding volunteers. These volunteers acted, and ActionAIDS was founded. Rev. Jim Littrell became the first administrator of the new organization, Bob Schoenberg was the first Board President, and Anna Forbes was the first staff member. The mission statement simply read: “ActionAIDS believes that no one should face AIDS alone.”
In its first year of service, ActionAIDS helped over 100 people with AIDS. Since then, thanks to dedicated volunteers, talented staff, generous donors, and ongoing support from city, state, and federal agencies, ActionAIDS grew to become one of Pennsylvania’s largest AIDS service organization.
In June 2016, ActionAIDS expanded and rebranded so that it could bring the same quality of medical case management, caring family atmosphere, and expertise to a broader base of clients.
Each year, Action Wellness serves over 2,000 clients through the efforts of over 200 dedicated volunteers and over 80 professional staff. Our volunteers and staff focus on building relationships one person and one family at a time. Our services are relationship-focused, client-centered, and individualized. The work of Action Wellness continues to build a strong, diverse, and committed community of caring to make sure that no one faces HIV or substance use disorder alone.