Want to be on TV?

Lifelong AIDS Alliance will be on King5’s New Day Northwest program Thursday morning (yes, that's tomorrow), July 29^th.  You're invited to join the studio audience and support us as we talk about the upcoming Seattle AIDS  Walk & 5K Run.  Newport High School's ASPEN (AIDS Peer Education) class will also be there to celebrate their accomplishments.  The audience comes in at 9:30 a.m. and the program done by 11:30 a.m.  Email newdaytickets@king5.com right now for your free tickets!

White House Meeting Addresses HIV Epidemic Among African American Men

By Garland Jarmon, CRCS and ONE2ONE Coordinator

June was a big month for the GLBT community.  The President declared it National Pride Month and celebrations took place in many cities, including Seattle. We should take pride in everything the GLBT community has accomplished and think about how much more work we have yet to do.  We should also take a moment to acknowledge those who continue to be infected with, and affected by, HIV and AIDS.

There is a segment of our community that is often unrepresented, undereducated about HIV/AIDS, and invisible; African American men. They currently make up more than half of all new and current HIV cases in the US. Because of this, The Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) held a meeting at the White House on June 2, 2010 to discuss the reasons for this catastrophe and what can be done. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that about 1 in 16 African American men will contract HIV in their lifetime. The three-and-a-half-hour meeting was a step to address ways to improve national HIV prevention programs, and some of the key issues within the African American community that hinder effective HIV prevention.

As a counselor, I have noticed that these challenges can include education and spirituality, class and race, machismo and the connotation of the word “gay.” Some issues, like education, can be faced head on but many are not as easy to navigate in the interest of curbing HIV in the African American community. At Lifelong AIDS Alliance, we offer counseling services through our Comprehensive Risk Counseling Services (CRCS). One of these counseling services, the ONE2ONE program, is specifically designed for African American men and the challenges they face.  If you or someone you know is having difficulty with issues related to their sexual health, please contact us at 206.957.1602 and speak with one of our counselors.

National HIV Testing Day is June 27th

By Megan White, CRCS Coordinator

June is coming to an end and that means National HIV Testing Day is here!  On June 27^th health departments, AIDS service organizations and community activists across the country will remind people of the importance of regular HIV testing. At Lifelong, we believe that knowing your HIV status is vital to making informed decisions about your health and sex life.  If you are sexually active, particularly if you are having unprotected sex with one or more partners, doctors recommend getting tested every 3-6 months.

Getting an HIV test can be scary.  For many people, the fear of receiving a positive diagnosis keeps them away from the doctor. Concerns about privacy and stigma are understandable, but there are many reasons to do it.  If you are HIV+ studies suggest that the earlier you know, the more likely you are to live a long and healthy life.  Seattle has many resources offering financial, social and emotional support to people living with HIV or AIDS.  Finding a place to get tested all year round is easy with online sites like www.hivtest.org. Or, send a text message with your zip code to KNOWIT (566948).

If you are HIV negative and want to talk more about testing or your sexual health, join our Intersexions/One2One counseling program by calling 206-957-1602.  If you are HIV- positive and want to talk, join the Positive Choices program by calling the same number.

An HIV test is a great way to take control of your life and health.  And, regardless of the result, Lifelong can support you.  Get tested today!

Lifelong is hiring!

Do you like fighting for the forces of good?  Do you speak Spanish and have experience working in social services?  Think about working for Lifelong!  As our new Bilingual Case Manager, you would:

• Work with a diverse group of clients from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and other Spanish-speaking countries to coordinate comprehensive care services like health insurance, housing, and mental health care
• Maintain and update client records
• Develop good working relationships with community agencies and medical providers
• Participate in monthly Latino Providers Group meetings with members of the greater Latino community
• Enjoy and feel good about what you do!

We're also hiring a Workstudy Student and other positions! For more information, check out the Jobs page on our website.

May 18th is National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day

It’s a day to thank the thousands of people around the world and here in Seattle who are working hard to create a vaccine.  It’s also a day to remember that 29 years after AIDS began changing the world, we need to use the tools we already have to prevent the spread of HIV.

At Lifelong, one of the hardest things we fight every day is complacency.  Our staff and volunteers do community outreach to help people make healthier decisions about sex, and all too often talk to those who think that HIV will never happen to them – until it does.

When used correctly, condoms are very effective against spreading HIV.  They’re cheap and easy to find.  Many places give them away!  Stop by Lifelong’s office and take a few.  Speaking of free, there’s no reason to share needles when King County has an excellent needle exchange (a program still banned in many places) and Lifelong hosts the Capitol Hill location six nights a week.  If you do have HIV or AIDS and are taking medications, be sure to take them correctly to reduce your viral load which, along with condom use, makes it harder to transmit HIV. 

May 18th is National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, not National HIV Vaccine Day.  It’s your job to protect yourself and others by preventing the spread of this still-incurable disease.  And until there is an effective vaccine and the spread of HIV ends, until HIV/AIDS is no longer associated with stigma and discrimination, until everyone living with HIV/AIDS has equal access to healthcare, the loving support of family and friends, and can meet their basic human needs for things like food and housing – Lifelong will be here to help.

  

Edited to add: if you would like to help work toward these goals, please partner with Lifelong as a donor or volunteer.

The MPowerment Project

Lifelong’s MPowerment Project is a peer-to-peer outreach and education program empowering queer youth to make positive and healthier choices about sex and drug use.  Located next to the Lifelong Thrift store, MPowerment is a queer-friendly youth space open to its Core Team of peer-educators.  Each week LGBTQ youth ages 16-22 meet to discuss upcoming prevention outreach on the streets and in the clubs, peer-led workshops, youth empowerment, and events. Outreach activities take place during the week, particularly targeting homeless LGBTQ and other young people.

Last week, more than 200 people attended MPowerment’s annual Youthopolis event at the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park.  The event honored leadership in Seattle’s Young Queer Community and was attended by State Senator Ed Murray and local transgender rights advocate Marsha Botzer, co-chair of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.  There were musical performances by Sketch Echo, Team Gina, and others.  The Seattle University Spectator’s blog covered the event in more detail. 

Learn more about MPowerment or find out how you can get involved by visiting The MPowerment Project’s website or emailing mpowerment@llaa.org.

Lifelong & Social Media

If you’re reading this, you probably know that Lifelong is on Facebook and Twitter. We also set up a YouTube channel for your viewing pleasure and are slowly pulling together years of videos scattered around the web. And hey, thanks for reading our new(ish) blog!

Community outreach is very important to what we do. Our education department uses these and other online tools like http://homohealth.org/ to help prevent the spread of HIV. Public Policy uses Facebook, Twitter, and a separate online network to encourage people to speak up about important legislation. The MPowerment Project, Lifelong's program for GLBTQ youth ages 16-22, has its own website and (sporadically updated) MySpace page. The Events department uses them to promote - you guessed it - events, and our fundraising department relies on them to bring in the money that keeps our doors open. There's even a Facebook page for Lifelong’s Thrift store.

So we’re feeling pretty social. Is it working?

Lifelong adds 40-50 new Facebook fans every week (which is fantastic) and we want to use that and other social media tools to help us provide food, housing, case management, and other services for people who need them. We also want to find new ways to encourage people to keep themselves, and each other, safe from HIV.

Please tell us how we’re doing, and suggest ways for Lifelong to use social media to further our work!

Truckin’ to Tacoma

By David Hlebain, CSB Food Program Assistant

Chicken Soup Brigade doesn’t just serve those living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses in Seattle.  Every Tuesday morning, I load a van with bags of groceries and frozen meals for clients living in Pierce County.

The grocery bags are filled with staple items such as pasta, rice, and oatmeal, fresh fruits and veggies, high-protein items including beans, tuna, and peanut butter, milk, eggs, and chicken breasts.  Homemade frozen meals include tasty selections such as Chicken Curry, Hearty Spaghetti, and Atlantic Cod with Couscous.

In comparison to the bustling pace of Chicken Soup Brigade’s onsite Friday pick ups, where hundreds of clients pick up food during the day, the pick up center at the Pierce County AIDS Foundation (PCAF) is much quieter.  About thirty-five clients come in between noon and 3:00 p.m.  In addition to getting their groceries, clients sometimes sit down with me and chat.  We might swap recipes, reading lists, or tales of the past week.  Stories of triumphs, struggles, and day-to-day activities abound.

Lifelong is about more than just providing services.  Creating a nurturing and supportive community is at the heart of our mission.  The weekly exchange of food, stories, and smiles is one reflection of the spirit of Lifelong at work.

Healthy Cooking With Fresh Herbs

Herbs are fantastic! Besides giving awesome flavor to foods, they also contain many added health benefits. Take some THYME to check out what our CSB Kitchen staff has to say about the benefits and uses of herbs!


Chives
Chives are a variety of onion, and the use of onion varieties is highly encouraged as they are thought to aid in prevention of major diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

• Sprinkle over baked potatoes
• Add chopped chives to fish before serving
• Mix with salad greens – the flowers are edible too!

Mint
The mint family is one of the most useful of all medicinal herb families. They have a wide range of health benefits including preventing & relieving gas and working as a digestive aid.
• Add chopped mint a fruit salad
• Try a mint pesto on fish – mint, roasted garlic, pine nuts, parmesan, and olive oil blended in a food processor or blender
• Chew on mint leaves to naturally freshen breath

Basil
Basil has many of the same medicinal effects as other members of the mint family. Research has also shown basil to protect cell structure from radiation, leading experts to believe that it may provide important anti-cancer benefits.
• Add chopped basil to green salads or tuna salad
• Try a Caprese salad – basil leaves and fresh mozzarella on tomato slices with olive oil and balsamic vinegar
• Sprinkle chopped basil over scrambled eggs

Did You Know....?

....that Lifelong AIDS Alliance is the creator and producer of the original Gay Bingo?  Seriously.  Back in 1993, Chicken Soup Brigade’s then-Development Director Judy Werle was brainstorming creative fundraising ideas.

And then BOOM.

Or should I say BINGO?

The first Gay Bingo was born. Even then, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were on hand to hostess, and the rest is fundraising history.

People can’t stop talking about this amazing event, and sometimes even we can’t believe how Gay Bingo has spread over the past 16 years. Now taking place in cities all over the world including LA, New York, London, Melbourne, and Amsterdam, this event has become bigger than we ever could have imagined!

Gay Bingo is everywhere, raising money and awareness in the fight against AIDS.

Now that’s really something to talk about.

To find out more about Gay Bingo's origins, check out this online article from Time magazine.   

Don't miss Racy & Lacy Gay Bingo on Saturday, February 20! 

Speak Up!

Communities in Action Network (C.A.N.) is a statewide group of HIV/AIDS advocates and organizations coordinated by Lifelong’s Policy Department. C.A.N. stands up for the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS.

We are the voice of people living with HIV/AIDS. Speaking up makes a difference!

In recent years, C.A.N.:

• Opposed the federal syringe funding ban

• Supported the Ryan White CARE Act reauthorization

• Fought for the removal of the HIV travel ban

• Championed for nutrition services and medically-appropriate food for those living with HIV/AIDS

• Supported the Early Treatment for HIV Act

Join Lifelong’s Communities in Action Network, and add your voice to thousands of others.

With your help, the AIDS crisis CAN end.

CSB Delivery Drivers: Why I Volunteer (Part 2)

I have known people who died of AIDS.  I do not like to think about anyone else suffering because they cannot get food.  Delivering food is a simple task that I can do to ensure people stay as healthy as possible while waiting for a cure for this disease.
-Julee

As a volunteer, I like that my time is taken seriously.  It is not considered free and without value.  It is treated as a resource, and I get sincere thanks from the staff for doing deliveries.  I also get that from the clients.
-Vincent

I lost most of my close friends in the early days of the epidemic and have been living with AIDS in one way or another ever since.  Since I have been so fortunate in many ways, this is a small thing I can do to give back to those who have not been so fortunate but are still living.
-Anonymous

Volunteering isn't hard, and when you see the smiles as they open their door to you, when they hug you and thank you for all that Chicken Soup Brigade does for them, it makes it all worthwhile.  In the end, I often feel like I am the real beneficiary of this goodwill gesture.
-Jean-Francois

JUMPIN' JELLYFISH!

Lifelong's JELLYICIOUS Volunteer Department - Halloween 2009

Thank You To Our Volunteers!

Take a look at the Lifelong staff and what they have to say about our incredible volunteers!

I always trust that the front desk workers will take good care of my clients and keep me informed of things I need to know. They are always friendly, courteous and responsible. I love them!
~Megan, CRCS Coordinator

This organization was started by volunteers and they continue to serve as inspiration for all of us.

~David, Executive Director

Volunteers are essential to the kitchen!
~Jim, Executive Chef

The warehouse volunteers are the strongest, most generous group of people I have ever met. We could not do this without you and thank you for everything you do. You are my saviors!

~Spanky, Grocery Delivery Assistant

The volunteers could not rule more! They are truly the life blood of the organization. I can’t imagine what Lifelong would look like without them and am so appreciative of their time, energy and commitment.
~Katie, Bilingual STEP Coordinator

Each volunteer brings great energy to the work we do here at Lifelong. Be it a welcoming face at our front desks, a team packaging meals in the kitchen, a crew distributing meals and groceries on Fridays, or a That Thursday Thing group packaging condoms, each and every day is made brighter, easier and more unique because of our volunteers.

~Reno, Facilities Manager

CSB Delivery Drivers: Why I Volunteer

It makes me feel good to give back to the community – to know that I’ve done something that makes someone else’s life just a little bit easier.-
-Jim

It comes from a sense of feeling lucky really that I have health, family, and friends. I feel a strong sense of wanting to give to back in some small way. I wanted to feel connected to the place I live.
-Elaine

Before volunteering, each day was like all the others and I couldn't even keep track of what day of the week it was. Now I keep a careful schedule and eagerly anticipate my volunteer day. It makes me feel useful in life again. I have a purpose that fulfills me. It has changed me and means a great deal to my life.
-Scott

I feel if everyone gave some of their time and/or money then there would be plenty of help and aid for those in need. I am doing my part.
-Gary

Boot Camp Gay Bingo - Gay Bingo Loves A Man In Uniform

Check out the action at the kick-off of 2010's season of Gay Bingo!

If you missed out on Boot Camp Gay Bingo, never fear! There are still 5 more Gay Bingos left this season.
Next up – Racy & Lacy Gay Bingo on Saturday, February 20 at Fremont Studios!

Special thanks to all of our 2010 Gay Bingo Sponsors: MOMS Pharmacy, Sazerac, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Pyramid Breweries, Whole Foods Market, MOViN 92.5, Seattle Weekly, and Seattle Gay News.

Volunteers on the Move!

A couple weeks ago, a Lifelong Volunteer and I had the opportunity to spend the day in Ballard and the Center of the Universe – aka Fremont!  We walked all over, spreading the word about the upcoming Gay Bingo season, and distributing posters and postcards.  Everyone was so nice and really excited about Gay Bingo’s move to Fremont!

If you haven’t gotten a chance to see the new posters, keep your eyes peeled!

Shout out to Rose for all of her help!

-Anna, Volunteer Coordinator

Care To Shop for Chicken Soup Brigade

On Saturday, February 6th from 10am to 3pm, Care To Shop will take place at ALL of the PCC Markets in the greater Seattle area!

Care To Shop is one of Chicken Soup Brigade’s most important programs for collecting food and raising awareness in our community. Every Saturday, you will find CSB volunteers outside of local grocery stores handing out lists of shelf-stable items needed by the CSB kitchen. As shoppers exit the stores, they can hand their donations of food and money to one of the volunteers, and the donation will go straight into the grocery bag of a hungry person in our community.

Care To Shop grocery partners include:

• Ballard Market
• Central Market

• Greenwood Market
• PCC Markets
• QFC 15th Ave E
• QFC Broadway Market
• QFC Inglewood
• QFC Totem Lake
• Thriftway Vashon Island
• Whole Foods Market Roosevelt

Check out our website for upcoming Care To Shop dates and locations!

Special thanks to our Care To Shop sponsors, Wells Fargo and Alfred & Tillie Shemanski Testamentary Trust and Foundation.

Spread the word about this huge food drive, and help us feed people in our community!

David Richart's Interview on Comcast Newsmakers!

Check out David Richart, Lifelong’s Executive Director, on Comcast Newsmakers!

David talks about Lifelong’s nutrition-based food program, Chicken Soup Brigade (CSB), and how the economic recession has affected this program.  For 26 years, CSB fed anyone who walked through our doors and asked for help.  Now the program is at maximum capacity. We currently have over 400 people on our waiting list – and those are 400 people who are qualified to receive help from CSB.

Check out the interview for more information and to find out how you can help!

We Need Your Help With The State Budget!

The 2010 Legislative Session is a “short” one that began the second week of January, with the final gavel expected to come down on March 11th. The supplemental budget will be the focus this session as the Legislature returns to Olympia under the dark cloud of a $2.6 budget shortfall. In early December the Governor released a proposed budget that addressed the financial crisis by reducing or eliminating vital services and programs. The “all cuts” budget was not well received by the Legislature, the public, or even the Governor herself. During the first week of session the Governor submitted a “Book Two” budget that included a short list of program restorations equaling about $778.9 million. The Governor outlined a little over $101 million in revenue options (loopholes) and is expecting to receive additional resources through the Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage (FMAP). HIV/AIDS funding is partially restored by the Governor by $4.85 million.

Our goal for the Session is that as decisions are being made HIV/AIDS funding continues to be a priority of leadership. We have a variety of things in the works to keep the voices of HIV/AIDS loud and strong down in Olympia.

We have two fact sheets that you can download from GoogleDocs– one about Care services and funding and the other about Prevention. We will be passing these on to all the electeds down in Olympia, and ask that you forward them to your lists.

Usually, we only do an AIDS Action & Awareness Day every two years, but because of the severe nature of the potential cuts, we are activating a Virtual A3D this year on February 10th. In preparation for that, you can download the A3D Letter template that we have created. We are hoping to get folks from around the state to fill in their own comments and info and return the letters to us. We need your help to do this – please pass the blank letter along to every one you know - we’d like to have as many legislative districts in the state represented as possible!
Letters can be emailed back to advocate@llaa.org or mailed to Lifelong, 1002 E Seneca, Seattle WA 98122. We will collate them and distribute them in person to the appropriate Legislator on February 10th. Also on that day we will be conducting a variety of online activities instead of gathering everyone in Olympia. Look for more information in the next week or so.

If you haven’t signed up for the Communities in Action Network, please do so at http://www.cannetwork.net/. You can also follow our twitter at www.twitter.com/aidsactionday.

Do let me know if you have any questions. It is our collective voices being raised that will help protect the funding for the critical services we provide.

Yours in solidarity,

Erick Seelbach
Director of Prevention, Education, and Public Policy
Lifelong AIDS Alliance

Lifelong takes fight against HIV/AIDS to South Africa

Lifelong is proud to be a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS here in Seattle and equally proud to participate in international HIV/AIDS-relief efforts through our membership in ANSA (Association of Nutrition Services Agencies). Through ANSA, we support the innovative efforts of South African nonprofit Ikamva Labantu, which serves children and adults impacted by HIV/AIDS.

In mid-October, Lifelong’s Executive Director David Richart, Board President Eric Snow and Washington State Senator Ed Murray were able to witness Ikamva Labantu’s pioneering work first-hand. Richart, Snow and Sen. Murray met with Ikamva Labantu staff to learn about new programs, including a pilot launching next year aimed at preventing mother-to-baby infection through breast milk.

“The prevention of mother-to-child infection through breast milk is critical to stemming new cases of HIV in developing countries,” said Richart. Richart, Snow and Sen. Murray also spent a significant amount of time in the field visiting South African townships that have been ravaged by HIV/AIDS. More than 5 million South Africans are living with HIV and AIDS and an estimated 250,000 people in the country died from AIDS last year. Hundreds of thousands of children have been left orphans by HIV/AIDS.

“We’re proud to support Ikamva Labantu’s prevention efforts and their work supporting HIV/AIDS orphans in South Africa,” said Richart.

Welcome to the Chicken Soup Brigade Kitchen!

Chicken Soup Brigade, Lifelong's Food Program, is a leader in improving the nutritional health of people living with HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging illnesses in the greater Seattle area.  CSB currently packs over 1,000 bags of groceries and distributes over 2,500 meals each week.  We couldn't do it without the help of our 150+ weekly CSB volunteers! 

There are many opportunities to volunteer with Chicken Soup Brigade. 

• 
  
  Food Delivery:  Deliver fresh meals and groceries to homebound clients
  
  
  
• 
  
  CSB Kitchen & Warehouse:  Prepare meals, sort food donations, and bag groceries
  
  
  
• 
  
  Care To Shop:  Collect food donations through our weekly food drive at partner grocery stores
  
  
  
• 
  
  Pick-Up Center:  Pack and distribute groceries and meals
  
  
  

Check out our website for more info: http://lifelongaidsalliance.org/volcsb.

New Year, New Blog

Lifelong AIDS Alliance is excited to announce the launch of our brand new agency blog!

We’ll be using our blog to regularly update you about the work we’re doing in our shared community as well as share information and knowledge regarding the worldwide HIV/AIDS crisis.

You can expect to see:
• HIV/AIDS breaking news
• Client stories
• Program updates and info
• Urgent calls-to-action
• Life-changing volunteer opportunities
• Tons of photos
• Delicious and nutritious Chicken Soup Brigade recipes
• Behind-the-scenes at Gay Bingo and other events
• And so much more!

We look forward to sharing our stories with you.

Sustaining Lives...Offering Hope