A Houston AIDS service organization received a $50,000 grant to bolster two of its HIV programs as part of millions dished out Tuesday by the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

The grant to AIDS Foundation Houston will support two programs – Walk Talk and Somebody Cares – that serve prisoners and recently released inmates. The grant came as part of $3.2 million distributed by the gay entertainer's foundation to 52 organizations across the country.

“The Elton John AIDS Foundation is committed to confronting HIV/AIDS where it exists,” EJAF Founder Elton John says in press release. “We recognize that the health needs and rights of LGBTQ people are critical components to ending HIV in the United States. The Foundation also recognizes the lack of funding and leadership in this area and is rising to the challenge to meet this need.”

The grant to AIDS Foundation Houston was one of three made to agencies in Texas, including $50,000 to the International AIDS Empowerment in El Paso and $50,000 to the Migrant Clinicians Network in Austin. The foundation has distributed more than $6.8 million this year to help agencies who serve people with HIV.

More details about the grant to AIDS Foundation Houston:

AIDS Foundation Houston, Houston, TX

Renewal Grant
Proposed Amount: $50,000
Project Name: Wall Talk and Somebody Cares

Organization Description: AIDS Foundation Houston, Inc. was established in 1982 as the first organization in Texas dedicated to HIV prevention, education and services and has continued serving the Houston community for over 30 years. Today, the organization provides direct care services to over 7,000 men, women and children and prevention education, testing and referral to over 92,000 individuals annually.

Program Description:  Started in 1999, Wall Talk is a peer-led HIV education project designed to reduce and eventually end HIV transmission in prison populations.  Somebody Cares was established and piloted by AIDS Foundation Houston in 2012 as a discharge planning and linkage to medical care module for recently released offenders.