Matthew 25 AIDS Services, Inc. was established in 1996 as a volunteer initiative of Zion United Church of Christ in Henderson, Kentucky. The congregation sought meaningful ways to support individuals in their community living with or affected by HIV.
Founding Chief Executive Officer Cyndee Burton, then a registered nurse, expanded this vision by opening Matthew 25’s first location in a detached one-car garage behind the church. What began as a small, grassroots effort soon evolved into a comprehensive care organization serving a growing regional need.
In 1999, Matthew 25 was incorporated and granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, enabling the organization to secure funding and expand its services with full-time professional staff. The following years marked significant growth: a Ryan White Planning Grant in 2000 supported assessment of local service needs, while a Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) grant addressed housing instability. In 2001, a Ryan White Part C Grant for Early Intervention Services established Matthew 25’s first medical clinic, expanding access to integrated HIV care.
From its modest beginnings, Matthew 25 has grown into a leading provider of HIV prevention, care, and support services across twenty-five counties in Western Kentucky and 12 counties in Southern Indiana. Through medical case management, clinical services, and supportive programs—including high quality, patient-centered medical care, insurance navigation, medication assistance, in-house pharmacy services, housing assistance, transportation assistance, nutritional support, and behavioral health services—Matthew 25 empowers individuals to achieve optimal health and well-being.
Today, with advancements in treatment and a continued commitment to reducing stigma, people living with HIV can live long, healthy, and fulfilling lives. Matthew 25 remains dedicated to delivering equitable, compassionate, and evidence-based care while promoting education, prevention, and community understanding.