There a bright future in store for a clinic serving people who once had little hope of a future. AIDS Project of the Ozarks, which now brands itself as APO, is excited about it's brand new clinic that'll soon be under construction.

The 1980s represent the old days, but not the 'good ole days' for AIDS Project of the Ozarks. The agency began serving the region during the start of the AIDS crisis.

"AIDS Project of the Ozarks (APO) began in 1983 when a group of concerned folks began meeting at a local church to discuss how to help those with AIDS who were returning home to the Springfield area to die," states the agency's website.

Executive Director Lynne Meyerkord, who has been with the agency from the beginning, says their first location was a very discreetly-located office in downtown.

"They did not want our name in the office directory because they were concerned their other tenants may move out." Meyerkord added, "We had had different threats. So, we were just fine not being on the office directory."

They moved to their current location, an office complex on Bennett St., in 1994.

Times have certainly changed since the 1980s. The newest home for APO, under construction now, will be on a very visible piece of property on one of the busiest streets in town.

"I think the community is much more accepting of people with HIV now and more compassionate, and I think that comes along with education," said Genevieve Chavez, a Case Manager at APO.

The new clinic, to include 14,000 square feet of space, is much larger than the current 8,500 sq. ft. facility on Bennett. It's being constructed on property that was home to the old Penny Power office building until it was demolished in recent days.

Chavez laughed, "Yes, we absolutely need more space. We are kind of a mixed hodgepodge, pieced together because we have continued to grow."

These days, APO is serving more clients than ever. Meyerkord explained it's not so much because more people are getting HIV. In fact, infection rates have stayed steady in recent years.

"In the old days, folks died within two years of being diagnosed with full blown AIDS. So, there was a lot of turnover in the population we served by definition."

With medications, HIV- the virus that leads to AIDS- is no longer quite the death sentence. That means clients are needing long term care.

"Still no cure, that's very important to note," Meyerkord said. "But, they can keep the virus under control so people live longer."

The new modern facility will have medical treatment and testing offices, outreach and educational programs, and a branch of Grove Pharmacy

Chavez stated, "We are jam packed into this office right now and having a new update office will be really great for clients to feel valued.

The construction of the new facility also coincides with an expansion of the agency's mission. In addition to it's HIV care and prevention services, APO is also offering primary care for people not comfortable with traditional care settings, more outreach to the LGBT community, and services for at-risk youth.

"Medical care can be kind of scary," Meyerkord explained. "And, I am not going to say we are going to make it fun, but certainly a more comfortable setting."

Meyerkord says the latest developments have been a big surprise and major blessing for the agency. Since APO doesn't have it's own funding available for such a project, the architect- Buxton Kubik Dodd Creative; the construction firm- BUILD; and development adviser Mike Fusek of SVN Rankin Company, are all working together to make the clinic a reality. Once completed, APO will not own the building, but will enter a long-term lease agreement for the property.

"If you would have told me even five years ago that we were going to have a major developer and a major architectural firm that wants to work with us, I might have chuckled at you, Meyerkord said"

The new clinic is set to be open this coming summer.