News
Southern Oregon HIV Prevention Programs Funded
Written by Education Thursday, 07 February 2013 23:45
Douglas & Josephine Co. (February 7, 2013) - HIV Alliance has received more than $22,000 to support HIV prevention efforts in Douglas and Josephine counties. The donations could not have come at a better time. Due to cuts from the Centers for Disease Control, Oregon’s HIV prevention budget had been cut by 30%. That meant as of July 1, 2012, prevention funding for most rural counties in Oregon was eliminated, including prevention funding for Douglas, Josephine, Coos, Curry, Lake and Klamath Counties.
“Support for our HIV prevention efforts in southern Oregon comes at a critical time,” stated Diane Lang, Executive Director of HIV Alliance. “Continuing HIV prevention services – even at a modest level – will make a tremendous difference over the long-term.”
Funding for HIV Alliance’s programs was provided by the Daedalus Project of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Macy’s Passport Fund. Thanks to these donations, programs will again be funded in Douglas and Josephine Counties. The grants will support HIV testing and outreach, syringe exchange, and education and outreach efforts to at-risk youth. HIV Alliance also received support from fifty local businesses and community organizations during the holiday season. The businesses provided gifts and food for people and families living with HIV/AIDS.
Presently, HIV Alliance provides HIV testing and needle exchange services three times a week in Roseburg and twice a month in Grants Pass. The organization also provides HIV and Hepatitis C testing at the Douglas County Jail. More information about HIV testing and needle exchange services can be found at http://www.hivalliance.org/prevention/testing.
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 18% of people living with HIV are unaware that they are infected and it is this group that is mostly likely to spread HIV. Identifying people who are HIV positive through testing programs and enrolling them into care early, is key to keeping the community healthy and reducing the spread of HIV.
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Provides Free Testing
Last Updated on Monday, 04 February 2013 15:34 Written by HIV Alliance News Monday, 04 February 2013 15:28
On NBHAAD testing for University of Oregon students will be provided by the University Health Center (1590 E 13th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97403) 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. For high-risk populations, testing is also available on February 7, 2013 at the HIV Alliance (1966 Garden Ave, Eugene OR 97403) office during regular testing hours, from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Additional testing times can be found at times can be found at http://hivalliance.org/prevention/testing.
This year marks the 13th annual commemoration of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, “a national HIV/AIDS testing and treatment community mobilization effort designed to encourage Blacks across the United States to get educated, get tested, get treated, and get involved with HIV/AIDS, as it continues to devastate Black communities,” says LaMont “Montee” Evans, of Healthy Black Communities, Inc. and NBHAAD 2013 National Coordinator.
Of all racial and ethnic groups in the United States, HIV/AIDS affects the Black community the most. While Blacks represent approximately 14 percent of the U.S. population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the group accounts for 44 percent of the nation’s new HIV infections. Blacks in Oregon are more than 3 times more likely than whites to acquire HIV.
Renee Yandel, Program Director for HIV Alliance says: “It is really important for the Black community to get tested and get the care they need. Compared to other groups, they have a higher rate of diagnosis. Of Blacks diagnosed with HIV, 33 percent have unmet needs for medical care. If they are not currently receiving medical care they could be suffering, sick, and compromising their long-term health and are more likely to transmit the virus to their partners.”
HIV Alliance provides care coordination and advocacy services to over 750 people living with HIV/AIDS in 10 Oregon counties across rural Southern Oregon and the Willamette Valley. The agency provides HIV prevention services in Lane, Douglas & Josephine counties and educational programs in Lane, Marion, Douglas and Josephine counties. From its roots in 1985 as a hospice provider for people living with HIV/AIDS, to 1994 when two HIV/AIDS organizations merged to form HIV Alliance, to the present, HIV Alliance has been dedicated to preventing new HIV infections and supporting individuals living with this devastating disease.
For more information contact:
Nicole Ryan
541-342-5088 x 151
541-852-9914 cell
Help us prevent new HIV infections in the new year!
Written by HIV Alliance News Friday, 28 December 2012 03:14
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HIV Alliance Seeks Community Support to Repair Building Damage
Written by Education Monday, 19 November 2012 14:31
Eugene, OR – HIV Alliance is requesting monetary donations from the community in order to repair an area of their building. “We knew we had some issues that we had to deal with on that side of the building and set aside some funding to take care of them,” stated Diane Lang, Executive Director, “but as the work began, it became apparent that the extent of the problem was much worse than we had anticipated or budgeted for.”
The building, located at 1966 Garden Avenue, was built at a time when building codes and methods were not as comprehensive as currently. Vertical siding was placed on the south side of the building which, overtime, has moved moisture into the adjacent sheetrock. The sheetrock in turn acts like a sponge and transfers moisture to other layers of the building structure. The remedy is to remove existing siding and sheetrock, replace or repair any damaged framing, and replace the vapor barrier and siding.
Initial estimates to repair the building are around $7,500 depending upon the final cost for the electrical work. “We have set aside $1,500 for the work and we may have an additional donation of $3,000.” stated Lang. “We need an additional $3,000 to finish the job.” The organization is reaching out to individuals in the community to help them raise this extra amount.
Those interested in submitting a donation should contact Nicole Ryan by calling 541-342-5088, ext. 151 or by emailing .
HIV Alliance Men's Town Hall - 11/29
Written by HIV Alliance News Sunday, 11 November 2012 21:11
Men’s Town Hall Thursday, November 29th 6 pm at HIV alliance Acorn Center
1966 Garden Avenue, Eugene, OR
This town hall meeting will be an open discussion for the gay community to voice what they would like to see happening at HIV Alliance
-The highest number of new infections in Oregon remain among gay and bi men so prevention efforts are critical.
-75% of all new infections are spread by those who do not yet know that they are HIV positive-highlighting the importance of early and regular testing.
-A high percentage of those newly diagnosed progress to AIDS within 12 months. Those identified late in the disease have fewer options.
-HIV Alliance will hold a Town Hall to hear ideas from the men’s community about:
1. What are barriers to effective prevention, to early testing, to condom carrying and use? How can HIV Alliance better serve these goals. What are your thoughts?
2. We need help and suggestions for the best way for us to do outreach to men’s community- what venues and what messages do they think are effective?
3.What are the best ways to enlist volunteers to help with men’s prevention outreach?
4.How we can engage the community in our work, what would be meaningful to them, beyond just accessing our services, but volunteering and supporting other men in making safe choices.
5.How can we best work together to care for individuals living with HIV, to prevent new infections and to encourage early testing and condom use.
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