LA CORP RISING to New Heights

Living Affected Ramps Up Training

This week The Living Affected Corporation will continue its month long effort in exploring training modules ranging from HIV testing and Counseling to being certified for the D-UP HIV diffusion of innovation intervention. These modules will be apart of the foundation of the organizations emerging Black MSM group, Strilite, which will forge a course to further "message" within the Black community through social networks and friendship circles. With the completion of these modules, this positions LA Corp with staffing that will be empowered with available in- home testing opportunities, harm reduction kits and first hand corrective information on the transmission and incidence rates of HIV and AIDS within Pulaski County. Such a innovative approach as this has not been done in the state of Arkansas during the course of the disease, especially since shifts in infection rates have reached an alarming 48% increase among Blacks 13-30. As a sub-grantee of the Arkansas Department of Health, The Living Affected Corporation has been striving to offer as many prevention outlets possible including participating in outreach opportunities, collaborations, providing media such as it's health guide, periodicals and another forthcoming first in the guise of a LGBTQ health journal entitled, OMNIBUS slated for a mid summer release. Furthermore the group wishes to intensify its stance that the "human condition" must become paramount with the paradigm of linking or retaining individuals in HIV and AIDS care. The basic human rights framed by the groups "HEFTE" ( Housing, Employment, Food, Treatment and Education") has become the unifying element that will be instrumental in the care continuum Internally the organization is also drilling down on its organizational structure by beginning assessing its future through strategic development exercises via Mr. Damon Jackson, of the Damon Jackson Group which specializes in organizational management and development. Through this work, LA Corp has begun the process to retool, re-think and reposition it's strategies and time lines including a impending 5 year plan. Central to this growth has been redeploying its new mission and vision statements that clarify the groups forward momentum, relevance to the community and destination of becoming the premiere consumer driven organization in a Wellness Institute sphere.

Under the guidance of the Jackson group, LA Corp staff surmised that the new vision statement would be bold and concise to support the groups work ethic. It reads: "We are the statewide organization that is informed and connected to change the social construct of the community we serve by providing basic human rights."  Building upon that statement, the group reaffirmed its comittment by refocusing its mission statement which now reads: "Transforming communities through holistic health by providing education and advocacy." Although the strategic development is still unfolding, The Living Affected Corporation is also preparing to re-brand itself with new logo's, tag lines and assorted marketing materials to reflect a refreshed entity. A new board of directors is being sought to answer the challenges and assist the organization in its mission to be a dynamic force within the community. Financial compliance and transparancy has been at the top of the list of internal mechanism that propel the organization which included securing new financial experts to handle record keeping and filings. The Living Affected Corporation has resloved that since its inception its' been the organization that had staying power despite setbacks, mis-steps and external attacks that actually strengthen the organization and has given it new purpose and drive to continue to build human capital and answer the humaity call to transforming our community from a holistic approach. If you wish to assist us in this endeavor, please feel free to donate through our secure Paypal website at www.livingaffected.org or by mail at P.O.Box 46558, Little Rock, Arkansas 72214  Every amount of support is important as we continue the struggle to address HIV and AIDS.