Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services, Inc.

Founded in 1985, Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services of South Carolina, Inc. (PALSS) was the first AIDS Service Organization in South Carolina.  PALSS has a mission to provide education, health and social services to persons living with and communities affected by HIV and AIDS.  

VALUES: We respect the dignity of all people. We serve with compassion and integrity. We seek to empower our clients. We embrace and support diversity. We shape services to meet changing needs. We share information and expertise. We lead through partnership and collaboration.

VISION: Our vision is for individuals and communities to be educated about HIV; that people living with HIV can live without fear, stigma, and isolation; that as a community, we can address the causes of this preventable disease openly and effectively to reduce or eliminate future HIV infections.

PALSS supports a variety of programs to meet the needs of persons living with HIV and communities affected by HIV.

 Now providing primary care and PrEP!

Adam's Place@PALSS is a single-gender clinic providing HIV/STI testing and screening, counseling, medical referral, outreach and other support services to men, particularly men who have sex with men.  Adam's Place operates during non-traditional hours to encourage participation from the target population.

Counseling Testing and Referral Services is a public health strategy used by PALSS to provide rapid HIV testing in a nonclinical setting.  Additionally, PALSS provides testing and screening for other sexually transmitted illnesses including syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.  Information regarding TB and Hepatitis is available also.  

Emergency Food Pantry service offers access to 2-3 days of food and nutritional supplements for eligible clients.  Food supplies include frozen and canned meats and vegetables, cereals, pastas and grains, snacks, condiments, liquid nutritional supplements, and other food. 

Engayge focuses on increasing dialogue and continuing the conversation about sexual health among young gay and bisexual males in a safe, nurturing and comfortable way.

HOPE (Housing Opportunities Promote Empowerment) can assist low-income persons living with HIV to address their housing needs. 

Internet Outreach targets young gay males and provides an opportunity to provide accurate information about HIV prevention, resources and services as well as encouragement for HIV testing. 

KNOW NOW provides outreach, rapid HIV testing and counseling, TB and Hepatitis referral and information at no cost to consumers. 

Linkaqge to Care works to ensure that persons living with HIV who are newly diagnosed or not currently in care gain access to medical care, behavioral health care and other services necessary to support health maintenance, support risk reducing behavior and lower risk of further transmission. 

Prevention Education Programs Prevention education efforts target specific populations including people with HIV, MSM, women, youth and incarcerated populations.  Additional prevention education efforts are aimed at tuberculosis, hepatitis and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Transportation services include weekly transportation to the Harvest Hope Food Bank and other destinations by pre-approved case management arrangement.  Bus tickets are available for eligible clients.

WISE (Women In Support of Empowerment) is designed to keep our communities of women moving forward in the fight against HIV.  WISE women are armed with HIV prevention information and are ready to take a stand for the health of their communities. 

Other Services include 1) emotional support through individual conversations or support groups, 2) monthly informational newsletter for consumers, 3) client educational forums, 4) laundry tokens, and 5) community education presentations.