History
The group formed in September of 2000 due to the folding of the AIDS Service Organization LAASO (Lynchburg Area AIDS Service Organization) earlier that year and the need for the presence of and ASO in the Lynchburg area. The group met monthly with the task of forming an AIDS Service Organization (ASO) that would be independent of the agencies represented. The lead agency was Central Virginia Community Services which funded the group's prevention awareness programs and the process for incorporation and non-profit. Sandy Kanehl came up with the name CHAP which stands for the Coalition for HIV/Awareness and Prevention of Central VA, Inc. Stan Webb with Webb Graphics designed the CHAP logo and assisted with graphic designs for flyers and other public relation materials. Robert Morrow with Council of Community Services provided the group with its first grant funds to reach the homeless community. Mr. Morrow provided oversight and served as an Advisor to CHAP for many years.
Specialties
CHAP provides free HIV and Hepatitis C testing to the central Virginia community. We are a nonprofit organization that works to promote awareness and education about these topics. We also provide free condoms and lubricants as well as sexual health education. For those who test preliminarily positive, we provide referrals to treatment.