Recent studies show that the Orlando, FL area has one of the highest rates of new HIV diagnoses in the United States. This crisis has been addressed with compassion and expertise by Hope and Help of Central Florida. Led by CEO Thresa Giles, the organization gives people access to comprehensive care, HIV and STD testing, preventative options, education, resources, and support. The Winter Park-based Hope & Help has become a vital resource in Central Florida, redefining what community-centered healthcare can look like.
Hope & Help was founded during the darkest days of the AIDS crisis in 1988. Originally formed by a group of friends seeking to support one of their own who had the disease, the group eventually grew into a full-fledged nonprofit. It was a time defined by fear and stigma, and Hope & Help got to work dispelling both.
Over the decades, Hope & Help has evolved into one of Florida’s most comprehensive AIDS/HIV/STI service organizations. Under the guidance of Thresa Giles, they now serve hundreds of thousands of people across seven Florida counties.
More than just testing and treatment
Hope & Help has become well known within its service area for offering free HIV testing and STI testing for other conditions, such as Hepatitis C, but it is far more than simply a free testing site. “We offer full primary care appointments, pharmacy services, access to HIV prevention tools such as PrEP, free condoms, and robust, confidential, educational resources for the community,” explains Giles. In addition, the organization offers case management services, peer support groups, and transportation assistance to the clinic — critical services in a community where many come up against barriers to testing and care.
Giles stepped into the role of CEO in 2025 and found that the holistic approach was what made Hope & Help so special. “We want to move forward with an emphasis on sustainability and human-centered care,” she says. “Treatment is more successful when people can access multiple avenues of care.”
The organization actively works within the community to dispel myths and misinformation about AIDS and HIV. They want Hope & Help to be a place where all members of the community feel safe, especially if they are seeking care for the first time.
“For us, that trust is foundational,” says Giles.
A focus on strategic growth and widespread wellness
Hope & Help has grown by leaps and bounds since its humble beginnings in the late 1980s. Giles and her team still have an eye on future growth. “Expansion, for us, isn’t about getting bigger or being in more places,” says Giles. “It’s about being able to serve the most amount of people possible effectively and reliably.”
Part of their growth can be found in expanded services, strengthened partnerships with other local organizations, and investing in new technologies that will help them reach more people.
Connections like the one Hope & Help has with Ryan White case management ensure that individuals with HIV receive coordinated, continuous care. “We build lasting relationships with our patients and with members of the most vulnerable communities in Central Florida,” says Giles.
Giles’ past expertise in finance and organizational development has helped the nonprofit navigate the balance of community outreach and providing necessary healthcare resources efficiently. “We want to make sure that as demand grows, our services remain accessible,” she explains.
This includes addressing the disparities in the community that often lead to higher rates of HIV diagnoses. These vulnerabilities include homelessness, low education levels, and a lack of reliable transportation. “These can all play a significant role in outcomes,” Giles explains. For Giles, the work is both deeply personal and strategic. She has already seen the impact of Hope & Help’s outreach. “We are working to improve individual health outcomes and strengthen the community as a whole,” she says.
Growing along with the community
Central Florida continues to grow and, with it, Hope & Help expands access to inclusive healthcare, testing, and support services. They offer a model that has successfully integrated comprehensive medical care with community outreach, education, and advocacy. It is a model that harkens back to the very beginning, when understanding friends reached out to help someone they loved through a difficult time.
Hope & Help continues to provide pathways to lifelong health, stability, dignity, and hope for the Central Florida community. As disparities in Central Florida persist, Thresa Giles and her team of volunteers, medical professionals, and compassionate caregivers will be there to ensure that people feel seen, supported, and empowered to live their healthiest lives possible.