Cempa Community Care, formerly Chattanooga CARES, was organized in 1986 by citizens who wanted to support and advocate for the residents of the local area who were impacted by HIV and, at that time, often battling AIDS. In 1988, Cempa Community Care received 501(c)3 non-profit status and continued to focus on social service advocacy, care, and assistance for those impacted by HIV.
In 2002, Cempa Community Care opened the primary care clinic and began offering medical treatment and services directly to people living with HIV. This not only eliminated barriers to individuals receiving access to HIV treatment, but also primary care services to address their overall health needs.
While Cempa started as an organization exclusively focused on HIV and AIDS, Cempa grew and evolved to fit the needs of our clients grew over time. In 2019 Cempa expanded to become a Community Health Center to help all people fight all illnesses. Cempa now offers treatment, prevention, and support services to those impacted with health disparities with a focus in primary and infectious disease care.
Learn more about our journey below.
