Brief History of VARCS
Victoria AIDS Resource & Community Service Society (VARCS), began its life in November 1991 as Victoria AIDS Respite Care Society.
In the early 1990s, many people with HIV/AIDS were being treated in hospital and by hospice earlier than necessary. Frequently, their family members and partners were burning out from providing on going care. The founder of VARCS remember that in his family, when someone was ill, other family members would help out and lend support.
VARCS began with the simple idea that the community could act as an extended family for people living with HIV/AIDS and their caregivers. Initially the program was based on providing respite homes to alleviate the strain on primary caregivers and delay entry in to hospitals and hospice. Since that time, much has changed with HIV/AIDS. The advent of protease inhibitors and new medications has allowed many people to live longer and healthier lives.
