Robb Reichard, Executive Director AIDS Fund Philly and Ronald G. Collman, MD, Director of the Penn Center for AIDS Research discussed the latest news for Philadelphia on HIV. 

There are just over 20,000 people living with HIV in Philadelphia, 10,000 in the surrounding area, up to a third of which are not in treatment.  Many do not know they are infected.   They discussed Philadelphia’s current rate of just over one new transmission each day, well above rates for other major cities.  They attributed it to the city’s high poverty rate, drug use and access to healthcare.  We spoke of numbers, women make up 28% of these numbers, people of color 75%. They noted that Black or brown people face a an infection rate that is 75% higher than their white counterparts, and one in three of these infections will come from sexual contact.

Dr. Collman talked about PREP, now available by monthly injection, PREP can prevent infection;  new treatments can reduce the HIV to undetectable which means non-transferable.  They spoke of the need to get more people willing to seek out PREP and to know their status.  He described his work in research, finding new social paths for better treatment within vulnerable communities, and ultimately, a cure for HIV.  He invites people interested in research studies, treatment options or other information to visit his website by searching for PENN CFAR.    

Robb talked about his work with AIDS Fund, raising private dollars to fund small grants directly to clients of local non-profits to help them stay in treatment.  Averaging just $440 each, they go for rent, appliance repairs, transportation, anything that could impact a person’s ability to stay on their medical plan.  

We talked about fundraising efforts, including the October 20th AIDS Walk Philly, the monthly Gay BINGO, and their annual ‘Formal, Festive or Fabulous’ gala, Black-tie Gay BINGO April 6 at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel.  Featuring dinner, dancing, auctions, six rounds of BINGO and Drag Queen performances, it’s one of the biggest social events of the year.  Dr. Collman will be honored this year with the Fierce and Fabulous Award for his ongoing volunteer work and his commitment to AIDS Walk Philly.         

For more information, or to get tickets for Black Tie Gay BINGO, go to  AidsFundPhilly.org

Robb Reichard, Executive Director AIDS Fund Philly and Ronald G. Collman, MD, Director of the Penn Center for AIDS Research discussed the latest news for Philadelphia on HIV. 
There are just over 20,000 people living with HIV in Philadelphia, 10,000 in the surrounding area, up to a third of which are not in treatment.  Many do not know they are infected.   They discussed Philadelphia’s current rate of just over one new transmission each day, well above rates for other major cities.  They attributed it to the city’s high poverty rate, drug use and access to healthcare.  We spoke of numbers, women make up 28% of these numbers, people of color 75%. They noted that Black or brown people face a an infection rate that is 75% higher than their white counterparts, and one in three of these infections will come from sexual contact.
Dr. Collman talked about PREP, now available by monthly injection, PREP can prevent infection;  new treatments can reduce the HIV to undetectable which means non-transferable.  They spoke of the need to get more people willing to seek out PREP and to know their status.  He described his work in research, finding new social paths for better treatment within vulnerable communities, and ultimately, a cure for HIV.  He invites people interested in research studies, treatment options or other information to visit his website by searching for PENN CFAR.    
Robb talked about his work with AIDS Fund, raising private dollars to fund small grants directly to clients of local non-profits to help them stay in treatment.  Averaging just $440 each, they go for rent, appliance repairs, transportation, anything that could impact a person’s ability to stay on their medical plan.  
We talked about fundraising efforts, including the October 20th AIDS Walk Philly, the monthly Gay BINGO, and their annual ‘Formal, Festive or Fabulous’ gala, Black-tie Gay BINGO April 6 at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel.  Featuring dinner, dancing, auctions, six rounds of BINGO and Drag Queen performances, it’s one of the biggest social events of the year.  Dr. Collman will be honored this year with the Fierce and Fabulous Award for his ongoing volunteer work and his commitment to AIDS Walk Philly.         
For more information, or to get tickets for Black Tie Gay BINGO, go to <a href="http://www. AidsFundPhilly.org"> AidsFundPhilly.org</a>

Our Delaware Valley introduces you to the people and organizations making a difference in our community, from health and safety issues to education, employment, and even entertainment opportunities.

Our Delaware Valley looks for solutions and positive action to make our region a better place to call home.

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Our Delaware Valley

AIDS Fund Philly celebrates Black Tie Gay BINGO

Margaux Murphy, Founder and Executive Director, The Sunday Love Project discussed their free grocery store, Greater Goods, which serves the neighborhood of Kensington.  We talked about the image of the community, and the many families and older residents who call it home.   

Sunday Love Project, through grants, donations and volunteers, focuses on these families in Kensington and ensuring they have enough to eat.  Only requiring ID and a bag for the food, area residents are issued ‘chips’ to use as currency to select and ‘buy’ their groceries.   Volunteers accompany them pointing out the best buys and making suggestions for healthy choices.  Children are given a mini-cart to help their family shop.  The store is full service,  also supplying cleaning products, baby needs, toiletries and women’s personal care supplies.   In addition to the grocery store, Sunday Love Project opens its adjacent store Saturdays for community activities, including thrifts and kids programming. 

Donations and volunteer hours are needed, and Margaux asks that any caring, non-judgmental individual go to their website to see how they can get involved. 

Greater Goods is open Monday-Friday, 9am-12pm. No appointment needed. Our only requirements are to bring ID the first time, and to bring a bag for groceries.

For more information go to SundayLove.org

Margaux Murphy, Founder and Executive Director, The Sunday Love Project discussed their free grocery store, Greater Goods, which serves the neighborhood of Kensington.  We talked about the image of the community, and the many families and older residents who call it home.   
Sunday Love Project, through grants, donations and volunteers, focuses on these families in Kensington and ensuring they have enough to eat.  Only requiring ID and a bag for the food, area residents are issued ‘chips’ to use as currency to select and ‘buy’ their groceries.   Volunteers accompany them pointing out the best buys and making suggestions for healthy choices.  Children are given a mini-cart to help their family shop.  The store is full service,  also supplying cleaning products, baby needs, toiletries and women’s personal care supplies.   In addition to the grocery store, Sunday Love Project opens its adjacent store Saturdays for community activities, including thrifts and kids programming. 
Donations and volunteer hours are needed, and Margaux asks that any caring, non-judgmental individual go to their website to see how they can get involved. 
Greater Goods is open Monday-Friday, 9am-12pm. No appointment needed. Our only requirements are to bring ID the first time, and to bring a bag for groceries.
For more information go to <a href="http://www.sundaylove.org">SundayLove.org</a>

The Sunday Love Project free grocery feeds Kensington

Priscilla Rakestraw, Deputy Director of Development for the Ministry of Caring described the history of the charity, starting from a homeless women’s shelter to a multi-site organization that supports the homeless and the working poor with through counseling, job training/employment and a job placement, a food pantry, emergency shelters, Rapid Re-Housing, Day Care and Learning Centers, dental services, clothing distribution center, a residential Senior Center, and three dining halls that serve the public with hot meals.  
We discussed the upcoming 41st Annual Emmanuel Dining Room Auction – in Fabulous Las Vegas style! It’s Sunday, April 28 from 2 to 6, at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington with games, food, an open bar, music, silent and live auctions with free parking! Tickets to the Las Vegas theme auction – $125 per person, just $75 for those under age 25, get them now at ministryofcaring.org
For more information about services, volunteering or donations, go to ministryofcaring.org.

Priscilla Rakestraw, Deputy Director of Development for the Ministry of Caring described the history of the charity, starting from a homeless women’s shelter to a multi-site organization that supports the homeless and the working poor with through counseling, job training/employment and a job placement, a food pantry, emergency shelters, Rapid Re-Housing, Day Care and Learning Centers, dental services, clothing distribution center, a residential Senior Center, and three dining halls that serve the public with hot meals.   We discussed the upcoming 41st Annual Emmanuel Dining Room Auction – in Fabulous Las Vegas style! It’s Sunday, April 28 from 2 to 6, at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington with games, food, an open bar, music, silent and live auctions with free parking! Tickets to the Las Vegas theme auction – $125 per person, just $75 for those under age 25, get them now at <a href="http://www.ministryofcaring.org">ministryofcaring.org</a> For more information about services, volunteering or donations, go to <a href="http://www.ministryofcaring.org">ministryofcaring.org</a>.

The Ministry of Caring Serving The Poor

From Rebuilding Together Philadelphia Stefanie Seldin, President and CEO, and Jean Allen, Volunteer,  Board Member and recipient of a home rebuild, discussed the non-profit that seeks to repair homes and revitalize communities.  Each year, with the support of hundreds of volunteers and community partners, they provide repairs to at least 125 homeowners, over 2,100 homes since 1988 to make them safe, healthy and secure assets for the next generation.  Volunteers work along side professional builders to make homes safe for their owners, based on a 25-point check list of priorities that includes fixing exterior walls and rooves, removing mold and pests, kitchens, baths and laundry are vented, smoke and CO detectors are installed, carpeting removed and replaced with dust free flooring, fixing plumbing and heating, and installing grab bars where needed.   

We discussed Philadelphia’s housing, older homes, an older population, with a 25% poverty rate and 51% home ownership, many with title issues.  Stefanie explained there are over 27,000 homes without the basics of heat or running water and 25% of our children have asthma, affecting their health, their education and their parents ability to work. 

Jean described the process, once homes are chosen through partnership with participating community development agencies, the hired contractors work with the homeowner to review the work, then volunteers and neighbors work together with them to complete the jobs.  The results, a liveable, safe home that not only increases the home’s value but impacts the neighborhood with lower crime rates and a new sense of community.

RTP believes that housing is a human right fundamental to survival, and homeownership gives a family the financial security of building equity (rather than paying rent) as well as the security of having a place to call your own.  It offers a stable environment to raise a family, a sense of pride, and a stake in the community. 

Stefanie and Jean discussed the need for volunteers, individuals and groups or businesses to work at their three annual Block Builds or the Asthma Trigger Reduction program rebuilding days.  They also need participants and volunteers for their Saturday, May 8th annual 5k Run/2-mile Walk to help raise money for the home repairs that keep people safe in their homes.

For more information about programming and volunteer opportunities go to RebuildingPhilly.org

From Rebuilding Together Philadelphia Stefanie Seldin, President and CEO, and Jean Allen, Volunteer,  Board Member and recipient of a home rebuild, discussed the non-profit that seeks to repair homes and revitalize communities.  Each year, with the support of hundreds of volunteers and community partners, they provide repairs to at least 125 homeowners, over 2,100 homes since 1988 to make them safe, healthy and secure assets for the next generation.  Volunteers work along side professional builders to make homes safe for their owners, based on a 25-point check list of priorities that includes fixing exterior walls and rooves, removing mold and pests, kitchens, baths and laundry are vented, smoke and CO detectors are installed, carpeting removed and replaced with dust free flooring, fixing plumbing and heating, and installing grab bars where needed.   
We discussed Philadelphia’s housing, older homes, an older population, with a 25% poverty rate and 51% home ownership, many with title issues.  Stefanie explained there are over 27,000 homes without the basics of heat or running water and 25% of our children have asthma, affecting their health, their education and their parents ability to work. 
Jean described the process, once homes are chosen through partnership with participating community development agencies, the hired contractors work with the homeowner to review the work, then volunteers and neighbors work together with them to complete the jobs.  The results, a liveable, safe home that not only increases the home’s value but impacts the neighborhood with lower crime rates and a new sense of community.
RTP believes that housing is a human right fundamental to survival, and homeownership gives a family the financial security of building equity (rather than paying rent) as well as the security of having a place to call your own.  It offers a stable environment to raise a family, a sense of pride, and a stake in the community. 
Stefanie and Jean discussed the need for volunteers, individuals and groups or businesses to work at their three annual Block Builds or the Asthma Trigger Reduction program rebuilding days.  They also need participants and volunteers for their Saturday, May 8th annual 5k Run/2-mile Walk to help raise money for the home repairs that keep people safe in their homes.
For more information about programming and volunteer opportunities go to <a href="http://www.RebuildingPhilly.org">RebuildingPhilly.org</a>

AIDS Fund Philly celebrates Black Tie Gay BINGO

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