About Us

In 1991, the AIDS Resource Center of Texoma (ARCOT) was incorporated as a private, non-profit, community-based organization to address the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. We are funded by State and Federal frants, private foundation grants, and through community fundraising efforts and donations. Our services are confidential and free of charge. ARCOT is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who give a significant amount of their time to assure that the agency delivers quality services to our clients and their families, to ensure that our operations are in compliance with all programmatic and financial contracts and regulations. The history of ARCIT is also the history of how HIV/AIDS has impacted the communities we serve: Prior to about 1995, we had a staff of two people, and our client census numbered about 50 people living with HIV/AIDS. Client deaths from the complications of AIDS occurred perhaps twice a month. Our funding totaled approximately $150,000 annually. In 1997, ARCOT was reorganized with a new Executive Director and new offices. It was around this time that new medications were beginning to prove effective in delaying the progression to AIDS from HIV, as well as to extend the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS. Client deaths decresed to two or three a year. In 1998, ARCOT successfully applied for, and received funding for HIV counseling and testing services. Those services have expanded in succeeding years. By 2000, our staff numbered four people, and our funding had increased to approximately $350,000 annually. Our client census had grown to about 65 people. By 2005, our staff has grown to seven people and our client census is currently around 90 people. Our budget has frown to nearly 1,000,000.