VAIN (Valley AIDS Information Network, Inc.) is an AIDS Service Organization providing services to persons living with HIV/AIDS, STDs, and Hepatitis and their families.

We work primarily in Linn and Benton Counties, Oregon. VAIN offers programs to provide information, support, and referrals through various venues.

Phone: 1-541-752-6322

Toll Free: 1-800-588-AIDS

Information on:

• AIDS prevention
• testing
• caregiving
• sexually transmitted diseases
• hepatitis
• referrals for medical and social services in Benton and Linn counties and elsewhere in Oregon.

VAIN can also provide speakers, information tables for events, and brochures.

VAIN was founded in the fall of 1989 as an all-volunteer community based organization. Soon we were operating a 24/7 hotline and speaker's bureau, supplying brochures at information booths, holding support groups for infected persons, and making referrals for benefits, to health departments in Benton and Linn counties, and to a local HIV/AIDS doctor. Later, because the same behaviors that transmit HIV also transmit other diseases, we added STD information to our hotline and information booths.

In 1999, four of the six HIV-positive VAIN clients who died did not die of AIDS-related diseases, but of liver failure caused by hepatitis C. As a result, we added information on hepatitis C to our portfolio of information. Also, we have realized that although intravenous drug use causes one-fourth of all incidences of HIV transmission, we had no drug information. Consequently, we have added brochures on illegal drug use.

VAIN is still an all-volunteer Community-Based Organization (CBO). Because we get no government funding, we depend on grants and donations to pay for our projects and operating expenses. We have seven unpaid board members, and average 20 trained volunteers who handle the hotline or booth.

We are very active within our local area and around the state. Our HIV Positive Speakers project gave 30 presentations last year (2006) and reached over 1450 people. Two of our board members are part of the Statewide Planning Group (SPG) for HIV prevention. We support infected persons by support groups, supplying treatment magazines,and our hotline. In addition, we are active in community outreach, making people aware that HIV is still a major problem in our community and the world.

In 1995, we received an Advance Ruling Employer Identification Number from the IRS. On December 17, 1999, the IRS reaffirmed our 501(c)(3) status.