The Ward 7 HIV/AIDS Collaborative (W7C) is a direct result of the vision, passion and commitment to underserved communities of Ms. Effi Slaughter Barry. Since her days as First Lady of the District of Columbia, public health advocate, mother, and woman, Ms. Barry understood the impact of HIV/AIDS on the District of Columbia.  In 2007, the Council of the District of Columbia established the Effi Barry HIV/AIDS Program in honor of the former First Lady who dedicated her life and career to focusing attention and action on health disparities among communities of the city, raising early awareness and attention on the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and leading and championing increased resources and capacity in underserved communities, especially “East of the River”.

The W7C founding members, Antioch Baptist Church, Community Education Group, Covenant House Washington D.C., Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, Prevention Works, Homes for Hope, Hughes Memorial United Methodist Church and Unity Healthcare came together to develop the Ward 7 Collaborative to implement community outreach projects and to expand the number of faith and community based partners engaged in HIV/AIDS related programming and services. This includes outreach, HIV/AIDS testing, events for National HIV testing day and National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

In keeping with the vision of Ms. Barry, the Ward 7 Collaborative seeks to expand its focus and members to ensure those most in need are accessing health and other vital services.  On September 6, 2007 Ms. Effi Slaughter Barry surrcame to acute myeloid leukemia.  In this passing, we lost a friend, mother, visionary but carry on the hope she instilled in each of us.