history of pwa

Positive Wellness Alliance is a community-based AIDS service organization serving Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Iredell, Rowan, Stokes, Surry, and Yadkin counties.

Positive Wellness Alliance began in 1992 as the AIDS Advisory Council of Davidson County. The agency formed when community members became alarmed with the growing number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Davidson County. As a result, monthly support groups for people living with HIV/AIDS started. The organization provided transportation for clients to attend support groups and medical appointments. For additional assistance, clients living in Davidson County contacted case management agencies in Winston-Salem via telephone. The case management agencies also held office hours in Lexington for one half of a day per week.

In 1994, the agency incorporated its services and expanded to a full-time Lexington office. Funding was secured to hire an Executive Director. The Executive Director would be responsible for management of daily operations, development, fundraising, and provision of case management. A full-time case manager was hired in August of 2001 to help with the growing number of persons living with HIV/AIDS.

In 2001, the name was changed to Positive Wellness Alliance (PWA) in an effort to remove the stigma and discrimination evident in the original name.

In early 2004, PWA expanded its HIV Case Management program into Forsyth, Yadkin and Davie counties. The organization received funding for one year from the Winston-Salem Foundation to hire a full-time case manager for Forsyth County. In October of 2004, the agency opened its satellite office in Winston-Salem. Case management in that office was dedicated to serving those living in Forsyth and Yadkin counties. In 2010, PWA received additional funding through the Carolina Cares Partnership HOPWA program, enabling the organization to expand services into Iredell and Rowan counties.

In 2017 PWA’s food pantry opened, serving the Forsyth County community at large.

Twenty five years later, PWA has grown to provide exceptional services in the eight counties of our Region. The mission and vision of Positive Wellness Alliance continues to grow as we seek new opportunities to support, educate, and empower the lives of our clients, their communities, and the region-at-large.