Center launches new HIV/AIDS program with free testing on World AIDS Day (Dec. 1st)
The NWA Center for Equality is ready to announce an exciting development in our programming. On December 1st we are launching NWA HOPE, which stands for NWA HIV/AIDS Outreach and Prevention Education. We have heard over and over again that free, confidential HIV testing is a need in NWA, so we worked on getting our space approved for testing and getting testers trained.
Want to get tested? We are accepting appointments (no walk-ins) from 9am to 6pm on December 1st (World AIDS Day). We will be using the OraQuick Advance testing system that is an oral swab with a turn around of between 20-40 minutes. Check out the poster below for other details about our evening candle light vigil and effort to collect funds for more test kits, as well as basic necessities and non-perishable foods for people living with HIV/AIDS. Email Arlis for testing appointments, opportunities to help with volunteering or funding, or to donate goods to the program (ayoung@nwacenterforequality.org).
Below the poster is our press release for the new program. Thank you to Arlis and all the volunteers who have been trained to test, as well as all our volunteers and donors who bought a carnation at our Equality Ball to help jump start the funding of this program!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Raymond Sweet
Tel: 479-445-7553
Email: rsweet@nwacenterforequality.org
New free and confidential HIV testing available
NWA Center for Equality launches HIV testing and prevention effort on World AIDS Day
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark (November 23, 2010) – The NWA Center for Equality is excited to announce the launch of their new HIV/AIDS program designed to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS on December 1st, World AIDS Day. The new program, NWA HIV/AIDS Outreach and Prevention Education (NWA HOPE), will provide free HIV testing in Fayetteville by appointment from 9am until 6pm on December 1st and have a candle light vigil at 6:30pm at Rogue Pizza at 402 West Dickson Street in Fayetteville, AR.
“A program like this has been a long term goal of our Center and is the culmination of the continued passion of so many of our members. Free, confidential testing in a supportive atmosphere is a need in the NWA area” said Raymond Sweet, president of the NWA Center for Equality. According to Sweet, NWA HOPE will continue to offer free HIV testing by appointment on Mondays, and HIV/AIDS prevention education to the NWA community as the program matures. Starting in March 2011 HIV/AIDS instructors will be available to speak throughout the NWA region.
Program Coordinator Arlis Young reiterated that HIV/AIDS is still an important health issue in both the gay and straight population. “HIV/AIDS is a real thing in Arkansas, and new diagnosed infections are pretty equally split among gay and straight populations nationwide. New cases of diagnosed HIV in 2008 were 261 in Arkansas. Knowing your status is an important part of prevention bringing that number down. “
World AIDS Day, observed December 1 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. The NWA Center for Equality invites the community to participate through testing and by attending the vigil. Currently NWA HOPE is funded solely by donations to the Center and community support is crucial. Donations of money to fund the program and basic necessities or non-perishable foods for distribution to local people living with HIV/AIDS are being accepted either at the vigil or at the Center. For appointments for testing or giving supplies, or for more questions contact Arlis Young at ayoung@nwacenterforequality.org.
The NWA Center for Equality is a grassroots support and advocacy movement to achieve equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community in NWA.
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The opinions expressed by our Contributors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the NWA Center for Equality, its Members, or any employee thereof. The NWA Center for Equality is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the Contributors.
