February Roll Out

LA Corp : Taking a Licking and Keeps on Ticking, 2.0

The Living Affected Corporation's forward momentum and aggressive approach to its mission had some significant 2012 beacons, milestones and important "firsts" for the organization. Within its three year existence as a stand alone entity, LA Corp  strives to survive despite internal growing pains, local infrastructure challenges, organizational audits and reviews, access to skilled personnel and marginal funding sources. The Living Affected Corporation's struggle to continue addressing HIV and AIDS disparities in Arkansas has been daunting in scope. Using President Obama's groundbreaking National HIV AIDS Strategy as a road map, Living Affected has been a chief proponent of bringing all stakeholders to the table in the movement to end the disease. The group has discerned that due to its rural nature as a state there have been challenges supporting access points or sustaining credible contacts, assessing community needs and scaling up available resources. Yet through collaborations and partnerships the organization has been vigilant in reaching out into the Central Arkansas area and beyond. Here is a continuing snap shot of those accomplishments:

Arkansas Comprehensive Plan: LA Corp led a core group to complete the state's CDC mandated Comprehensive Prevention Plan as a deliverable of the Arkansas Community Planning Group.(www.facebook.com/ArknasasHPG ) Under the groups leadership the plan was offered an overview of services, epi-data, challenges and future needs. Subsequently the plan was accepted and merged into the state's Jurisdictional Plan which offers a blueprint to funding prevention programming and services. This was the first time that a local community based organization engaged in producing this instrument.

Training and Capacity Building: As a group, LA Corp moved to enhance its STRILITE program with all members receiving Voluntary Counseling and Testing Training.

Each member was equipped with testing kits which included OraQuick Rapid HIV Antibody tests, safe sex kits, and prevention information. This capability allowed each participant to offer immediate "on site" testing as well as necessary counseling in their respective areas.

The training distinctly provided the program with Black MSM personnel to be mobilized as "mobile" units to serve within the access area. Additional capacity building included Informed Trauma training, strategic planning, peer leadership, D- UP DEBBI and public speaking training modules.

Community Mobilization: 2012 was filled with community interaction ranging from testing activities at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, as well as on the campus of historically Black College, Philander Smith College, participating in Community Leadership Forums and the Black AIDS Testing Tour across the state. The year culminated with the groups signature event, The HELP Fair which served as a high impact HIV/AIDS testing event which tested over 100 individuals, offered social services information and highlighted the groups "HEFTE" (housing, employments, food, treatment and education) concept dealing with individuals from a holistic approach.

Expounding on the at concept, LA Corp collaborated with First Presbyterian Church's Community Garden project in establishing its own Food Justice Project with its symbolic "planting seeds of empowerment and hope in the community." Spearheaded by the LA Corp volunteer James M,( pictured) the project accepted donated above ground garden boxes during the fall planting season. McLaughlin decided to plant "healthy alternatives" that often are not available in some neighborhoods which are often located in "food desserts," where such fresh vegetables are not available. The project is slated to continue into the 2013 planting season while adding additional elements such as a proposed community forum and cooking demo to the program.

Speakers Bureau: LA Corp provided its expertise in the area of health disparities by dispatching it staff to various public speaking request. Team members addressed the Pine Bluff Arkansas Lion's Club, made appearances on the Effrim Elliot cable show, addressed BCD empowerment center clients, presented before ARCPG, participated in online chats,webinars, teleconferences and numerous radio interviews and spotlights. Appeared as panelist during World AIDS Day activities in both Little Rock and Jonesboro, Arkansas including radio spotlights and interviews. Appeared as panelist during December's World AIDS Day activities in both Little Rock and Jonesboro, Arkansas. 

Publications and New Media: The group continued to offer an array of publications including its Holistic Health Guide which offered local contact numbers for physicians, providers and the unique "hand holders" navigators listing. OMNIBUS, the first ever Arkansas LGBT Health guide was devoted to covering various layers of health concerns throughout the LGBTQ community.

LA Corp has fully embraced new media while updating its web presence with newly format web page(www.livingaffected.org) revamping its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/livingaffected ) and cross pollinating with social activitst and commentator, C. Mabin's long running CorneliusOnpoint. (www.corneliusonpoint.blogspot.com )

2012 has proved to be a tremendous organizational year filled with triumphs and temerity in its sojourn on being an important partner in seeking to end HIV and AIDS.

Meanwhile looking to 2013, the organization has looked internally at its structure for necessary changes, taken an inventory of its impact in its service area in search of viable outcomes and has firmly reassessed its capacity to continue in its role as a service provider in the HIV/AIDS arena. While the road has been long and winding, The Living Affected Corporation has been a trailblazer in the fight to scale up the focus on Black gay MSM infection rates, dared to ask to "hard questions" about data reporting and its validity, worked with area researchers whom will be apart of the future foot soldiers seeking a vaccines, demanding that resource allocations be reviewed and being a paramount collaborator both statewide and regionally as the premier organization dedicated to ending HIV and AIDS. Come join us as we move forward in 2013, make your financial contribution on this page, purchase a publication, volunteer or offer your unique way to help us continue our mission to transforming communites through holistic health by providing, education, and advocacy. Do it today!