AIDS Walk

As many of you may know I currently work with individuals living with HIV/AIDS.  As the Housing & Employment Coordinator with The Albany Damien Center (ADC) I work to house individuals and then help them return to work!  The goals of my program - Foundations for Living - is to help individuals return to work so that they may be less reliant on benefits (SSI/SSD/welfare/food stamps) and housing subsidies (section 8/HOPWA/shelterplus care).  The ADC also maintains a member based community drop in center, runs the PAWS program which provides veterinary care, food and support to member's pets, operates a thrift store called the Treasure Chest and provides hot meals (lunch & dinner) to members on a daily basis!  All in all - we do a lot of good!  BUT - it's not cheap!

Every year The Albany Damien Center in association with CARES, Inc. participates in AIDS Walk which seeks to bring awareness and raise money for organizations supporting individuals living with HIV/AIDS in the Capital Region of New York.

Here are some stats! 

• Since 1981, over 600,000 Americans have died of AIDS.

• Every 9.5 minutes, someone in the U.S becomes infected with HIV.

• Approximately 20% of people infected with HIV do not know it.

• As of December 1, 2008, approximately 116,000 New Yorkers were reported living with either HIV or AIDS and NYS remained the epicenter of the AIDS epidemic, with 16 percent of all people living with AIDS nationally.

So after reading all of this your are probably wondering what you can do!  Well I have the answer my friends - DONATE!  If you have the means and are willing I would be SO GRATEFUL if you would consider donating to my AIDS Walk First Giving page!  It is super easy and can be done online.  Your donation will not only support me as I participate in AIDS Walk on September 29th but it will also support the Albany Damien Center and all the good work we do.

If you are interested in donating please click HERE.