Get Tested

Testing at Walgreens

We had a wonderful day yesterday at the Walgreens at 16th and Meridian in Indianapolis. I took my friend Jen from Terre Haute and Jamie from Indianapolis joined us. We were onsite from 1 until 9 pm and test 17 people! What a wonderful partnership we have created here. Starbucks provided a grant for testing supplies, Walgreens provides the location and we provide the testers and the testing vehicle.

In addition to testing we handed out pamphlets about preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections to just over 60 people.

I'm really looking forward to General Assembly. The supplies have been ordered and most have arrived. I'm making my lists and ensuring that everything is ready. We are currently scheduled to conduct testing every day except Sunday the 2nd of August.

I look forward to seeing many of you there.

Peace,

Jody

First, I would like to thank all of the congregations who answered the call to provide condoms and literature pertaining to HIV/STI prevention in their congregations. I personally packed 29 packages to ship from Terre Haute and I know others went and purchased supplies of their own.

So I haven't posted for a while, but I have had a lot going on here in Indiana.

First of all I am happy to announce that we have started a relationship with Starbucks to provide testing at several of their locations in Indiana. I would also like to thank Starbucks for the financial support they have given us.

I recently attended a Comprehensive Risk Counseling Service (CRCS) class in Indianapolis. Comprehensive Risk Counseling is intensive, individualized client-centered counseling for adopting and maintaining HIV risk-reduction behaviors. CRCS is designed for HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals who are at high risk for acquiring or transmitting HIV and STIs and struggle with issues such as substance use and abuse, physical and mental health, and social and cultural factors that affect HIV risk. This three day class focused on competency for providing client centered behavioral risk change and will be instrumental in developing programs for use by those in the Disciples HIV/AIDS Ministry.

I'm really looking forward to General Assembly next month. My first GA was 2 years ago in Fort Worth and I had a blast. Please look for us with DHM in the Exhibit Hall. Also be on the lookout for the mobile HIV testing units that we will be using throughout Indianapolis. We will conclude our work at General Assembly on Sunday, August 2nd with an AIDS Healing Service at 8:00 am. I don't have the venue yet, but as soon as I do, I'll post for you to see.

Peace,


Jody

The Balm in Gilead

I received an email from Kaye Edwards today about an amazing organization called the Balm in Gilead.

The Balm In Gilead, Inc.™ is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization whose mission is to improve the health status of people of the African Diaspora by building the capacity of faith communities to address life-threatening diseases, especially HIV/AIDS.

The Balm In Gilead’s pioneering achievements have enabled thousands of churches to become leaders in preventing the transmission of HIV by providing comprehensive educational programs and offering compassionate support to encourage those infected to seek and maintain treatment. The Balm In Gilead spearheads a dynamic response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in the faith community.

For 19 years, The Balm In Gilead has mobilized The Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS, which engages Black churches to become centers for education, compassion and care in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The Balm In Gilead has established, and continues to develop, educational and training programs specifically to meet the needs of faith communities that strive to become centers for HIV/AIDS ministries, education and compassion.
(from http://balmingilead.org/about/mission.asp)

I have just spoken with representatives from the Balm in Gilead in hopes of partnering on upcoming programs.

Check out there website at http://balmingilead.org.