In 2007, Jeremy Hobbs founded the Chattahoochee Valley Better Way Foundation. He said it took a while to get all the legal paperwork done.

“I started it because there was nothing in Columbus,” he said. “There were some agencies that were run by non-positive people.”

Hobbs said those living with HIV and AIDS wanted to talk to someone about living with the disease.

“Maybe this is my calling,” Hobbs said. “I wanted to make sure people had support, education and training.

“I believe that basically in our lives, God calls us to do something. And God wanted me to do this. I see the faces of people that feel hope again. And that they are not an outcast. They just walk with a disease but they have the same love problems, bills and everything else you have. They’re just walking around like everyone else.”

In 2008, the foundation joined the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial. The international memorial is celebrating its 28th anniversary this year.

In Columbus, the memorial will start on the Plaza Level of the Columbus Government Center at 5 p.m. Sunday. Speakers include Hobbs, Columbus Major Teresa Tomlinson and Mitzi Oxford, the chair of the Mayor’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities and development director of the local American Red Cross.

“The candlelight portion will be outdoors at the end of the ceremony,” Hobbs said. In 2010, there were about 40 participants, and Hobbs is hoping for at least 70 people this year.

About 500 communities in 75 countries take part in the memorial.

The next event for the foundation is HIV Testing Day on June 27. The venue and times have not yet been set.

Hobbs said testing is essential. “There are people walking around that don’t even know they have it,” Hobbs said. “They think it didn’t apply to them to be tested.”