How can your faith community be involved with Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS 2008? We have many ideas, from simple to grand! Please contact Ari Kelly, ari@tihan.org or 299-6647 for support. In Tucson, African American people comprise 3% of the population but 9% of HIV/AIDS cases. Together, we can change the state of AIDS in our African American communities.

How can you help?

• Offer a prayer for the healing of HIV/AIDS during your worship service on Sunday, March 2, 2008
• Host an educational program featuring TIHAN speakers at your place of worship
• Provide HIV/AIDS pamphlets and brochures at your faith community
• Develop a partnership with TIHAN and local faith communities that are also active participants in the Black Church Week of Prayer
• Include HIV/AIDS facts in your Sunday bulletin
• Host HIV testing at your place of worship
• Hold a prayer vigil for our HIV-positive brothers and sisters and their families
• Hold a prevention workshop in your youth group

Back to top

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5. March is "Write A Will" Month: Make Your Wishes Known, and Leave Your Legacy

Back to top

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

6. Volunteer Spotlight: Steve Trujillo

Having a father who has been associated with the Tucson Rodeo for almost 39 years can certainly inspire a love of western art, and that is just what happened to Steve Trujillo. He is an avid collector of contemporary western art, mostly oil paintings and bronzes by such celebrated artists as Tom Dorr and John Solie. Steve is also interested in Native American crafts, and has an extensive collection of baskets, pottery, and rugs.

For the last 51 years, this Benson native has lived in Tucson. Born under the sign of Taurus, he is a prime example of a Taurean's qualities: they like to be surrounded by pleasing, soothing things (his art collection) and they exhibit an urge to get things done reliably and with an air of practicality, which is evident in his volunteer work with TIHAN. When Steve was invited by Bertie Lozano to join TIHAN, he was already involved in the mental health profession, working for CODAC (13 years). On September 18, he will celebrate his 8th year working at El Rio Special Immunology Associates. Ask him about The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006 and you'll soon realize the breadth of his knowledge and the depth of his passion.

Even though his work/travel schedule keeps him busy, this outgoing Board President and Co-Chair of the upcoming Treasures for TIHAN Auction, manages to devote many hours a month to TIHAN. He emphasizes that volunteering is a great way to connect with the community and to expand your knowledge. That's what keeps him coming back—and we are glad he does! Thank you for a job well done, Steve, and thank you for your continued efforts on behalf of TIHAN and those we serve.

Back to top

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

7. First Step to Volunteering in 2008

Get passionate about a cause and do something instead of just thinking about it. You are needed now. We can help make it happen. Call us and get started.

In just one evening or afternoon, you will experience an HIV 101 presentation, be inspired by a panel discussion by persons living with HIV, and hear an overview of TIHAN's programs, services and volunteer opportunities. Six times a year, TIHAN offers Volunteer Orientations, and March 11 is your next chance.

If you are interested in volunteering at TIHAN or you just want to know more about HIV/AIDS and related issues, please join us. Your cost is only $17 and includes a light meal and printed materials. Feel free to pass this information on to your friends, family, co-workers and congregations.

For more information about volunteer opportunities contact Kim Talerico, Volunteer Coordinator, at 299-6647 or email her at kim@tihan.org. To get more information about TIHAN visit our website at www.tihan.org.

Back to top

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

8. We wish for happy days and good health for all and …

... practical office supplies and equipment such as:

• Self-adhesive name badges
• Letter-size multi-purpose paper in pastel colors such as green, blue, yellow, pink, buff
• Phone message book, 2 messages per sheet
• Avery 5160 labels for laser printers
• Writing tablets, 8.5" x11"
• Flat-panel monitors
• Storage area design and build for our kitchen and two offices
• Gift certificates to office supply stores
• And much more.

Check out our complete Wish List on our website. You may also contact Leslie Johnson at 299-6647 or leslie@tihan.org for more information about in-kind giving to TIHAN.

Back to top

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

9. Bless TIHAN with your time and talent!

TIHAN's training for volunteers does not end with Volunteer Orientation! No way! After you have completed Orientation, you can go on to become a specialized volunteer and work directly with CarePartners living with HIV/AIDS.

CarePartner Support Training will be held Saturday, March 29, 9:00am to 5:00pm at TIHAN. Cost of training is $22 and includes lunch, snacks, and a manual. Call 299-6647 to sign up. Questions? Contact Ari Kelly, ari@tihan.org or 299-6647.

Back to top

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

10. Enjoy Reveille's Concert and Help Support AIDS Awareness and Services

Reveille Men's Chorus and guests present "Dim Sum and Then Some: A Foreign Affair," at the Berger Performing Arts Center, with shows on Friday, April 25 (8:00pm); Saturday, April 26 (8:00pm); and Sunday, April 27 (3:00pm).

Whisk away with Reveille on a whirlwind tour to exotic destinations around the world, featuring performances of various ethnic groups in our community representing over 15 countries. Mention TIHAN when you purchase your ticket, and Reveille will donate $5 to TIHAN!

Reveille is dedicated to excellent choral performances both locally and internationally to promote human rights, diversity, and a world free of AIDS. Reveille has been invited to perform this season in Germany, Brazil, Mexico and Africa, and will be performing at the 12th International AIDS Conference in Mexico City in August.

The concert will take place at the Berger Performing Arts Center on the ASDB Campus, 1200 West Speedway Boulevard, in Tucson.

Back to top

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

11. Test Your Knowledge of HIV: Does Male Circumcision Reduce the Risk of HIV Acquisition?

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that several types of research have documented that male circumcision significantly reduces the risk of HIV acquisition by men during penile-vaginal sex. (Click here to read article.)

However, a recent study reported at the 15th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections stated that "Male circumcision may reduce men's risk of being infected with HIV, but it doesn't appear to curb the transmission of the virus from men who are already positive to their female partners." (Click here to read article.) That study, of men in Uganda who were circumcised as adults, also "suggests that the risk of transmission was likely increased among couples who resumed sexual intercourse before the male partner's circumcision wound had healed completely."

Over the last year, international public health programs have been exploring the possibility of encouraging male circumcision in sub-Saharan African countries where the incidence of heterosexually acquired HIV infection is high.

The United States CDC states that "individual men may wish to consider circumcision as an additional HIV prevention measure, but they must recognize that circumcision 1) does carry risks and costs that must be considered in addition to potential benefits; 2) has only proven effective in reducing the risk of infection through insertive vaginal sex; and 3) confers only partial protection and should be considered only in conjunction with other proven prevention measures (abstinence, mutual monogamy, reduced number of sex partners, and correct and consistent condom use)."

Back to top

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

12. "Treasures for TIHAN" Benefit Auction! Saturday, May 3

"Treasures for TIHAN," the signature fundraising event for the programs and services of TIHAN, is coming up on Saturday, May 3 at the Doubletree Hotel at Reid Park. We are pleased that Long Realty Cares Foundation is serving as our title sponsor, and Steve Trujillo (El Rio Special Immunology Associates) and Kris Marsh (Keegan Linscott & Kenon Certified Public Accountants) are serving as co-chairs.

If you can help by donating or soliciting items for our auction-trips, antiques, jewelry, rugs, gift certificates, unique gift items, textiles, ceramics, event tickets, hotel/condo/bed and breakfast stays, please contact Scott at 299-6647 or scott@tihan.org. We have lots of volunteer needs—both now and as we approach the date of the event. And we are seeking businesses, groups, and organizations to help sponsor this year's event—if you or your business/group wants to be a sponsor for the 11th Annual Treasures for TIHAN, please let us know. Sponsorship levels begin at $500 and each level offers you a host of benefits, including free tickets, publicity, and great karma! Come on board and help us make this another grand event!

Back to top

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

13. Volunteer Impact Reports

You can now access a Volunteer Impact Report form online and submit it to TIHAN. Volunteers are requested to fill out a form monthly. Volunteer Impact Reports heighten our awareness of how much our volunteers do for us, give us required statistics for grant applications and tracking. In addition, it gives you an opportunity to share your ideas with us.

Click here to get a Volunteer Impact Report form from TIHAN's website

Back to top

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

14. Keep learning! Keep growing!

Our next FREE Continuing Education workshop for volunteers and CarePartners is Thursday, March 6, at TIHAN, 1011 North Craycroft Road #301. The topic is universal and it is Death & Dying. Please join us for an informative evening with your fellow volunteers. Monthly workshops are held jointly with SAAF. We ask volunteers to attend at least three workshops each year.

All workshops are subject to change. Please call to confirm and sign up: 299-6647.

Back to top

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

15. Shine on!

It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.  —Eleanor Roosevelt

In 2005, women represented 26 percent of new AIDS diagnoses, compared to only 11 percent of new AIDS cases reported in 1990. Women of color are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. AIDS is now the leading cause of death for Black women ages 25 to 34.

March 10 is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Take this opportunity to increase compassion and awareness in your faith community! You can hold an educational session on the facts of HIV/AIDS, hear from our wonderful CarePartners living with HIV/AIDS, or learn about TIHAN volunteer opportunities. Contact your faith community's liaison to TIHAN or Ari Kelly, ari@tihan.org or 299-6647.

Back to top

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

16. BONKERS for PASTOR D. GRADY SCOTT

Rev. D. Grady Scott currently serves as the Co-Chair for Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS and was also instrumental in the recent local commemoration of the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Rev. Scott has served as Pastor at Grace Temple Missionary Baptist Church since 1990. 

In addition to his TIHAN involvement, Rev. Scott serves as the Chairman for the Interdenominational Minister's Alliance of Tucson and Vicinity Social Justice Committee. He is the Chairman of the National Baptist Convention USA Incorporated Prison Ministry and Criminal Justice Commission. 

Pastor Scott's AIDS ministry is a blessing to our community and our world. Pastor D. Grady Scott, we are very grateful for your presence and contributions—we are BONKERS about you!

Back to top