Kopli 32, 10412 Tallinn, ESTONIA
phone/fax +372 6413165
e-mail: tugikeskus@hotmail.com
 

AIDS-i Tugikeskus (AIDS Information and Support Center) is a social non-profit non-governmental (NGO) organization, which was founded 01.02.1994 as by group of volunteers in Tallinn, Estonia. For implementation of AIDS service organization we use the model of Finnish AIDS Tukikeskus (now Finnish AIDS Council).

AIDS Tugikeskus has a branch in Tartu, which was opened in 1995.
AIDS Tugikeskus in Tallinn have two departments:
1. Kopli 32, 10412, Tallinn
 In those rooms we provide reception for the general public. Also the project among sex-workers and project against trafficking in women and girls works here.
2. Erika 5a, Tallinn
This department was created for the projects among intravenous drug users – consultations of narcologist-psychologist, therapist, needle exchange, methadone treatment etc.

Our basic field activity includes:
• counseling, pre- and post testing, AIDS/HIV consulting and consulting about STD-s for public in general and youth;
• possibility of anonymous HIV/STD testing;
• counseling of safer sex;
• provision of literature of safer sex and warning about HIV/STD (the last examples: leaflet for parents “How to speak to children about AIDS, sex and drugs” with collaboration of specialists of state AIDS Prevention Center; the manual for people, living with HIV/AIDS “Positive Development” - joint with ESPO etc.)
• work with target groups: sex-workers - project SEASTAR 1996-1999, concerning migratory prostitution, project against trafficking of women and girls in Baltic Sea region (with co-operation with Kvinnoforum, SWEDEN and Likestilling Centeret, Norway) and projects for i/v drug users - Needle Exchange Program, Harm Reduction program among sex workers IDU-s (IHRD); HIV/AIDS Prevention in prisons. rehabilitation country houses
• creation of a gay sensitive atmosphere and testing/preventory work with gays; work with group of young gays
• psycho-social support of people, living with HIV/AIDS, co-operation with organization Estonian HIV-positive People Society – ESPO (rooms for drop-in activities, charity dinners, medical consultations, medication etc.)
• participation in mass events, concerts, musical festivals, youth events – spreading literature on safer sex, condoms, leaflets etc.
 

At the moment in Center are implemented and works following projects and activities:

• Testing and consulting on HIV/STD and safer sex, treatment of STDs for general public (reception hours of therapist and venerologist-dermatologist)

• Project “Harm reduction among sex workers IDU-s» 2001-2002, financially supported by International Harm Reduction Development program of Open Society Institute from New York, USA.

• Project “HIV Prevention in prison”, 2001-2002, financially supported by International Harm Reduction Development program of Open Society Institute from New York, USA.

• Methadone treatment project, self-financing project

•  Methadone maintenance project, IHRD, started 2003

• Country rehabilitation house for ex drug users financially supported by Finnish Embassy and USA Embassy.

• Needle exchange program: stationary point and mobile unit, project supported by IHRD, Estonian Drug Prevention Foundation, and local city government.

• Project against trafficking of women and girls STOP II with coordination of Caritas Diocesana Roma and collaboration with 6 countries, financed by EU, 2001-2003.

• Project “Drop in Center for sex workers” – opened  in October 2002; project is financially supported by Finnish Embassy and Dutch Foundation MAMA CASH.
  

• International project GAIN (Global AIDS Information Network - 92 countries) – Internet technology transfer/information exchange project, coordinated by Center for AIDS Intervention Research (CAIR) of the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, financed by USA

• International Fellowship Program of IHRD 1 year research “Prostitution in Baltic States”,  2002-2003, received by the head of the center from IHRD.

• Working with self-help group for gays, collaboration with Estonian HIV-positive People Society (charity dinners, legal help, consultations of specialist, medical treatment on STDs, lobbying of interest, charity dinners for HIV-positive people, collection of donations), organization of parents of drug addicts, youth organization “Living for Tomorrow”.

• Project CHANGE - Integration of NGOs based in Central and Eastern Europe in the European Mobilization against HIV/AIDS.

•  Project "HIV/STI Prevention Among Commercial Sex Workers!, supported by Family Health International, USA, 2002-2003

• Project PPAT Estonia - Project of Prevention of Trafficking of adolescents, supported by UNIFEM, coordinated by international Organization for Adolescents IOFA, New York
  

AIDS Tugikeskus has developed healthy international relations with other ASO (AIDS Service Organizations), Finnish AIDS Council in Helsinki, Finland, GENDERS, Latvia, HIV-positive groups in the Baltic countries, Finland, Sweden, STAKES from Finland, Kvinnoforum from Sweden. We are the members of EuroCASO, EATG, ILGA. In Estonia our partners are US Baltic foundation, Open Estonia Foundation, AIDS Prevention Center.

The Head of AIDS Information & Support Center is Jury Kalikov
The running board of the center include 3 persons, the head of center Jury Kalikov, social worker and medical nurse Grete Lehtla and doctor, epidemiologist Nelli Kalikova.
At the time it is more then 20 volunteers and 14 specialists involved in work in different projects.
 

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