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Monthly E-Newsletter
for
August
2010
Dear
Friends,
Want
to make our community better? Want to make a difference? Want
to share your skills? Want to learn and grow? Want to
understand the needs and opportunities of TIHAN? Want to meet
amazing and inspiring people and grow your faith?
We
hope you enjoy reading this latest news from TIHAN, and
discover at least one way you can help and get involved.
Scott
Blades, Executive Director
P.S.
Thanks to all who responded to our WISH LIST last month—it
really does make a difference:
A
mother living with HIV requested backpacks for her two young
boys and her teenage daughter. Although she's still working as
much as she can, her income has been severely impacted by the
current economy. She wasn't sure how she was going to prepare
her kids for school, and was so grateful when she heard that
TIHAN was providing backpacks and school supplies to children
in families with a parent who is living with HIV. Because of
the generosity of caring friends of TIHAN who donated school
supplies and backpacks, she left with enough to allow her
three children to enter school prepared with supplies and some
confidence. "We're so glad TIHAN is here!" she said.
Thanks for helping Mom provide the loving care and support for
her children, helping them to succeed.
There
are still more items we're wishing for – click here to see
the list.
1.
Make A Difference. Share Your Voice. Elect the Best People.
How to Know You Are Registered to Vote (and if not, here's
your chance!)
Here
is your one-stop link to the State of Arizona voting resource:
http://www.nonprofitvote.org/Arizona.html
This
valuable website has local information and links on:
Want
to help other people become engaged in the upcoming election?
Would you like to help register people to vote? TIHAN is
seeking volunteers to assist with voter registration efforts
throughout the city. For more information or to offer to help
enhance civic participation, contact Scott Blades at 299-6647
or scott@tihan.org.
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2.
Look good. Feel good. Do good. Wednesday, September 15:
"A Day of Beauty" Benefit at Robert Markley Salon
Spa and the new Robert's Barber Lounge!
Treat
yourself—and your loved ones—to beauty, style and
relaxation, and TIHAN benefits, too: all proceeds support
TIHAN's programs for people living with HIV/AIDS! Robert
Markley Salon Spa and Robert's Barber Lounge are offering a
special event on Wednesday, September 15 from 4:00-8:00pm.
Pamper yourself and book:
a
hair cut/style/treatment/color,
massage, facial or waxing
at Markley Salon Spa
and/or
a hair cut/shave, manicure or pedicure
at Robert's Barber Lounge
The
salon and the barber lounge will donate ALL proceeds (and
tips!) to TIHAN for everything booked from 4:00-8:00pm that
day. Both facilities offer services to men and women, are
located at the Plaza at Williams Centre, 5350 East Broadway
Boulevard (just west of Craycroft), Suite 160 and a few doors
down at Suite 252. To book your services and make an
appointment for this special TIHAN event, call Robert Markley
Salon Spa at 520-747-1388 or Robert's Barber Lounge at
748-3502.
Men
and women welcome!
Check out the website and explore the possibilities:
http://www.robertmarkley.com/
and http://www.robertsbarberlounge.com.
Transform yourself, and help transform TIHAN, too.
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3.
Test Your Knowledge of HIV―Test Question of the Month:
Can Microbicides Protect Against the Transmission of HIV?
Question:
Can microbicides protect against the transmission of HIV?
Answer:
Although not currently approved, microbicides do hold great
hope in the near future.
Microbicides
are anti-HIV substances. They could reduce the risk of HIV
infection during intercourse. No anti-HIV microbicides are
currently approved as safe and effective. However, many
microbicides are being tested around the world. Microbicides
could be a very important part of global HIV prevention
efforts.
Currently,
male and female condoms are the only tools we have for HIV
prevention. However, many men object to wearing condoms. Many
women do not feel they can demand, or even ask, their male
partners to use a condom. Currently, over 50% of new HIV
infections worldwide occur in women.
Women
could control the use of microbicides. They could be applied
before sex. They won't require male knowledge or cooperation
to use, the way male and female condoms do.
One
study estimated that microbicide use could prevent about 2.5
million HIV infections within three years. This is based on a
microbicide that only worked 60% of the time and was used by
only 20% of women in 73 low income countries. Microbicides may
also protect women against some other sexually-transmitted
diseases in addition to HIV.
Other
than abstinence, condoms are still the most effective method
of preventing HIV infection. Microbicides could be used along
with condoms for added protection. But, for people whose
partners won't use condoms, microbicides could offer a way of
reducing HIV risk that can be used without a partner's
participation.
Source:
The AIDS InfoNet December 14, 2009
Note:
Exciting news about microbicides was announced at last
month's XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna, an
announcement that was met with a prolonged standing ovation
from delegates in attendance. Click here to read the
developments: http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/
hiv_caprisa_microbicide_1667_18779.shtml
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4.
Dining with Friends Dinner Parties for TIHAN!
If
you are interested in hosting a dinner party, or attending a
dinner party hosted by another friend of TIHAN, please let us
know! Contact Scott Blades, Executive Director, at 299-6647 or
scott@tihan.org, for more
details about how you can meet great people, enjoy great food,
and raise funds for TIHAN's programs!
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5.
Volunteering: An Important Part of the American Way of Life
Volunteering
gives you an opportunity to change people's lives, including
your own. If you're feeling frustrated or overwhelmed by
what's going on around you, volunteering to help someone in
need can be a great way for you to cope. If you would like to
support a cause, but cannot afford to donate money, you can
donate your time instead. Helping others in need is an
important part of the American way of life.
When
you attend a TIHAN Volunteer Orientation, you will find a
volunteer role that will be right for you and fits your
schedule. You will discover how volunteering can expand your
mind and improve your skills, all while making you feel good
about yourself and what you are doing. AND, volunteering can
make you a role model for others.
So
how do you sign up? All you have to do is call the TIHAN
office, 299-6647, and sign up for a Volunteer
Orientation. We have orientations scheduled for Thursday,
September 16 and Thursday, November 4. To discuss the
orientations, or volunteer opportunities, contact Kim Talerico,
Volunteer Coordinator, at 299-6647 or volunteercoordinator@tihan.org.
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6.
Another Program Success: Equipping Children with the Tools to
Learn and Thrive
The
summer months are winding down, but our volunteers are as
enthusiastic as ever! Gracious donors have been stopping by
the TIHAN office to donate school supplies for the children of
our CarePartners. Volunteers have sorted binders, pads of
paper, crayons, rulers, and other school supplies into
backpacks that will be distributed for kids as they get back
to school. Soon these children will be well equipped to learn,
study hard, and succeed because all of the selfless acts of
TIHAN donors and volunteers! So far we've helped 16 children,
but there are still children in need. If you are able to
provide any of the following supplies, please drop them off at
the TIHAN office:
-
Multicolored
Construction Paper
-
No.
2 Pencils
-
Erasers
-
Notebooks
(College/Wide-Ruled)
-
3-Ring
Binder with Folders
-
Scissors
-
Pencil
Holder/Pouch
-
Back
Packs (for both boys and girls—elementary, middle
school, and high school)
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7.
Teach Others About HIV/AIDS and TIHAN
Learn
the facts of HIV/AIDS at the next TIHAN Speakers'
and Media Training. Stop the spread of the virus, and
teach others what they need to know to end discrimination
against people living with HIV.
Give
presentations to volunteers and faith community members to
increase compassion and decrease stigma for HIV/AIDS. All you
have to do is attend TIHAN's Speakers' Training, stay
up-to-date on HIV/AIDS information, and be friendly, outgoing,
and reliable. Volunteers are asked to attend a TIHAN Volunteer
Orientation prior to attending Speakers' Training.
Our
next Speakers' Training is Saturday, October 2, 9:00am to
5:00pm at TIHAN, 1011 N. Craycroft Rd. #301. You will learn to
share the facts about the disease and share your own story of
being affected by HIV/AIDS. The cost of the training is $17
(for food and materials), and scholarships are available.
Please RSVP by calling 299-6647.
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8.
"Discover how much your heart can hold: Volunteer with
TIHAN"
Get
Involved:
*
Front Desk Receptionist — Can you answer the phones
with a smile on your face, greet visitors to the office, and
assist staff with administrative projects? If yes, we have
the perfect volunteer position for you.
*
CareTeam Volunteer — We have several CarePartners
living with HIV/AIDS on a waiting list, in need of a
CareTeam. If you are compassionate and want to be of support
to someone in need, this volunteer position is for you.
*
Data Base Entry Volunteer — If you can volunteer
during the daytime hours and have good computer skills, our
Administrative Assistant could really use your help .
*
Event Volunteers (United Way Days of Caring) —
Individuals who can help organize and facilitate a TIHAN's
group project on Wednesday, September 15 as part of the
city-wide Days of Caring program.
To
learn more about volunteering with TIHAN, about the many
volunteer opportunities available, and to find the dates of
our next volunteer orientation, please contact our Volunteer
Coordinator, Kim Talerico, by calling 299-6647 or email volunteercoordinator@tihan.org.
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9.
TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More
TEAM
– Together Everyone Achieves More. And that's exactly how
our CareTeams work. If you are reading this newsletter, then
chances are that you have a warm generous heart! Have you ever
thought to yourself, "I would love to help a person
living with HIV/AIDS, but I don't think I have the time?"
As a member of a CareTeam, you and the other team members make
up your own schedule and offer support—as needed and as you
are able—for three months.
In
that time, your commitment will be to support a CarePartner
achieve his or her own personal goals to become as independent
as possible. How? It's easy—you'll make weekly or daily
calls for emotional support, provide rides to doctor's
appointments, run errands together, spend an afternoon
shooting the breeze, or maybe even go see a movie together!
It's completely up to you, your fellow team members and the
CarePartner.
Currently
there are two CarePartners who are waiting to be matched with
a volunteer like you. If you have time to provide social and
emotional support, please contact Taina Compagnet, Director of
CarePartner Support, at (520) 299-6647 or taina@tihan.org.
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10.
Represent TIHAN on the World AIDS Day Planning Committee!
World
AIDS Day is observed on December 1st each year. Join Tucsonans
representing various community agencies that come together to
plan a World AIDS Day event that includes speakers, live
music/dance performances, onsite HIV testing, information
tables, food, and fun. Monthly planning meetings are held on
Thursday afternoons at COPE Community Services (4601 E.
Broadway Boulevard). As a TIHAN representative, you would be
expected to attend these meetings and be the information
conduit between the planning committee and TIHAN staff. If
interested, please contact Scott Blades at 299-6647 ext 12 or scott@tihan.org.
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11.
What's so important about August 24? It's
Primary Election Day! The issues we care about could be
decided by the people who will be elected on August 24. Let's
be sure our views are represented. Mark your calendars and
VOTE on August 24. If you aren't sure if you are registered to
vote, check the website
http://www.nonprofitvote.org/Arizona.html.
(If you aren't registered to vote at your current address, you
have until October 4 to register to vote in the November 2
General Election.)
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12.
Partner Spotlight: Tucson Urban League
TIHAN
is part of a network of organizations working throughout the
community to improve our quality of life, an example of the
interrelatedness of all of us.
One
of the partners that we work with is the Tucson Urban League.
We have a long history of working together to help address the
stigma of HIV within African American communities and to
catalyze resources for AIDS awareness and action.
From
the Tucson Urban League's new President and CEO Jonathan Peck:
"Welcome
& Bienvenidos to the Tucson Urban League! Our vision is
to continue to provide quality services and programs to the
Tucson community and improve and expand our ability to
impact system change through advocacy and organizing. By
doing so we will empower our communities and change lives!
Our intention is to continue to be a source of inspiration
and hope for the children, youth and families of Tucson. On
behalf of the Tucson Urban League staff and families we
serve, thank you for your ongoing support and assistance in
achieving our mission and goals. I invite you to assist in
our efforts to improve the quality of life for the
communities we serve!"
Check
out the website of the Tucson Urban League (www.tucsonurbanleague.com)
and find out more about this important partner in our shared
mission of building a healthier community.
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13.
HIV in the News: "Treating HIV also prevents its spread,
study finds"
By
MARILYNN MARCHIONE
AP Medical Writer Marilynn Marchione, Sun Jul 18
"Provocative
new research shows that treating people with the AIDS virus
can provide a powerful bonus: It cuts the risk that they will
infect others.
New
infections plummeted in parts of Canada as more people went on
AIDS drugs, which lowered the amount of virus they had and the
chances they would spread it, the study found."
For
the rest of the story about this research and its
implications, click here…
Quote
of the month:
"Injustice
anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in
an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment
of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all
indirectly."
—Martin
Luther King, Jr., "Letter from a Birmingham Jail"
(for
the full text of the letter, visit http://www.stanford.edu/group/
King/frequentdocs/birmingham.pdf)
"Do
all you can with what you have in the time you have in the
place you are."
—Nkosi
Johnson, a Zulu boy, born into dire poverty and infected
with AIDS, who became an AIDS activist when he was not
allowed to enter school because of his HIV status. Nkosi,
whom Nelson Mandela referred to as an "icon of the
struggle for life," died at the age of 12.
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