SILOAM was born in August 1995 when the co-founders Bernadette Kinniry, a Sister of Mercy, and Don Reilly, an Augustinian Friar, met and shared their dream for a ministry in the HIV/AIDS community. The word “SILOAM” means “one who is sent” and refers to a Jewish place of miracles where an angel came to heal those considered outcasts! When SILOAM was founded, the co-founders were well aware that society’s response to those living with HIV/AIDS was unlike that of any other illness. Later that year, a Board of Directors was assembled with working committees. Early in 1996, Bern and Don met with approximately sixty professional AIDS Service Organizations in the Delaware Valley to determine the need for and scope of future services. By February, SILOAM began to offer services to those in the HIV/AIDS community and the Board of Directors had their first meeting in March.

“I love how much SILOAM respects human life. They have cleared the way for a sacred space – a place where a circle is always forming, where fears and stereotypes go to die and spirits are reborn.” - Michael

In March of 1997, a ribbon-cutting ceremony opened the doors to an old abandoned rectory at 1133 Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia and welcomed the community to a three-story center that offered meeting and private counseling rooms, a meditation room, a massage therapy room, a library and office spaces. All of this was made possible only through the overwhelming generosity and hard work of volunteers and donations from friends and benefactors. In the Spring of 1998, an Advisory Council was founded to recruit people with particular expertise needed by SILOAM to maintain viability in the HIV/AIDS community.

“Thank you for the vision of SILOAM ~ a thing of love and hope, a blessing for me.” -  Kenny

Since the beginning, SILOAM’s small staff and over a hundred volunteers have provided the financial and physical resources necessary to expand its programs and continue services to those in the HIV/AIDS community.

“Life is good and my gratitude is eternal.  I am truly grateful to SILOAM … who supported me in my darkest hours.” - Dora

“SILOAM, you are a Beacon of Guidance and Hope for the HIV/AIDS community.” - Francine

In October 2004, SILOAM was humbled to be a recipient of the Human Rights Award to a Nonprofit Organization from the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. We were incredibly honored to be counted among those in this great city who were celebrated for their “commitment to the community and reaching beyond the comfortable lines of ethnic and religious backgrounds to build bridges of understanding between the diverse groups of our community.”