November Tidy Endings

We’re all Facing AIDS one photo, message, video, blog at a time.

 By Michelle Samplin-Salgado, New Media Strategist, AIDS.gov

 

 

We launched the Facing AIDS photo sharing initiative on World AIDS Day five years ago to give individuals worldwide an opportunity to reflect on their involvement in ending the AIDS epidemic. Since then, thousands of you have submitted messages and stories about why you are Facing AIDS. What started as a photo sharing campaign to demonstrate how photo sharing can extend the reach of HIV-related work, has evolved into people sharing their stories using blogs, podcasts, and video. Regardless of the medium, we’re reminded that we are all in this together, whatever our reason may be.
In our third “story behind the sign,” Ken Williams created a video to share his story about why he (along with his friends and colleagues) is facing AIDS this World AIDS Day.

We encourage you to view the Facing AIDS gallery to see photos of people living with HIV, the people (friends, family members and even pets) who love them, and the hundreds of people who are working every day to move us closer to an AIDS-free generation.
Be inspired by the photos. By Ken’s video. By the stories you read and listen to. Then join us by sharing your photo and voice for World AIDS Day. We all have a story. We all have a message. We are all facing AIDS.

Learn more about photo sharing


Local Employment Opportunities with CBO

The Living Affected Corporation is seeking applicants for pre-screening for possible consideration for part-time positions within both the organizations current projects and 2013 programming. The organization serves as a sub-grantee of the Arkansas Department of Health as a conduit to offering HIV/AIDS prevention interventions such as the D-Up program. This intervention adopted from a diffusion of evidenced based model, the program is designed as a tools to educate, empower, and encourage basic prevention conversations among Black gay men ranging in ages 13-24. Facilitators were charged with a community discovery component involving identifying key community "opinion leaders", providing training and monitoring then evaluating penetration outcomes of the program implementation.

According to federal statistical data Black gay men have had a 48% increase in infection rates which supports the need for additional messaging and innovative approaches. LA Corp will be seeking candidates for upcoming testing and counseling training session for 2013. Concurrent to the prevention programming angle, LA Corp also seeks to explore issues around its "H.E.F.T E. initiative" ( Housing, Education, Food, Treatment and Employment) that creates a framework of social determinants that also plays a significant role in not only incidence rates but also health outcomes among marginalized communities. To further address these levels of determinants, the organization has plans to pursue a partnership within the developing Medicaid expansion exchange project connected to the Affordable Care Act. Arkansas Exchange task force is recommending utilizing community based organizations in the effort to serve as navigation points of entry for citizens shopping the exchanges for insurance. Complete details of the project are still unfolding at post time, however in lieu of the program launch, LA Corp is preparing an interview schedule, hiring parameters as well as possible drug or background checks as required for certain positions.

Each applicant must be at least 18 years old, obtained a high school degree or certified GED, capable of a flexible schedule, reliable transportation including current drivers license and willing to actively engage pre-testing and ongoing training modules will be preferred. Qualified applicants will be apart of the organizations multi teams in providing HIV testing and counseling, public outreach and speaking, fundraising, event logistic planning and supportive data gathering and entry. Desired skills include Word software applications including Excel, interest in social justice activities, being a self starter with a team player attitude and prepared for some possible travel opportunities. Appointments can be arranged at 379.8203, resumes forwarded to nealix101@comcast.net, or FAXED to 855.792.5483. Only serious applicants need apply. For additional organizational information: www.livingaffected.org Check us out and become a friend on FACEBOOK.

2012 Holiday Food Drive

 Each year HIV Arkansas helps 50 families during the Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays by providing them with a basket of food. The food in these baskets is enough to feed a family for one week. We are anticipating this years give-a-way to be the biggest one we have ever had as our efforts are multiplied with the help of the members of The Spirit of Peace Community Church in Fayetteville. This welcoming congregation will be gathering food items and will help with assembling and distribution. We are blessed to have been given a faith-based family to help with this endeavor.
We have arranged with the Northwest Arkansas Regional HIV Clinic to host the give-a-way in the Conference Room located just across the hall from the Clinic at the Washington County Health Department. If you are in need of a basket please contact the clinic for eligibility.
If you would like to volunteer to work for this special cause, please call Michael at 479-466-6453. Lunch and drinks will be provided to all who volunteer to work the Food Drive Gove-a-Way day. Volunteers will work from 9 a.m. to 12 noon preparing all the baskets.

For more info contact: www.hivakrnasas.org