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Desert AIDS Project Offers Medical Home …

by Desert AIDS

For Immediate Release
Contact: Jack Bunting, PR Specialist
Tel: (760) 656-8472
Email: [email protected]

Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) announced an alliance with Sanctuary Palm Springs (SPS), a transitional residential program providing housing and independent life skills for foster youth who are 18-to-21 years old. Residents will be able to turn to D.A.P. for their medical, dental, mental health, transgender care (both medical and psychological), HIV education, drug and alcohol counseling, employment counseling and pharmacy needs.

The alliance was showcased today at a ribbon cutting at the newly remodeled SPS residence in Palm Springs, with a keynote from Mayor Robert Moon, and congratulatory addresses by city councilmember Lisa Middleton, and D.A.P. chief executive officer David Brinkman.

“This is going to really help youth at risk to get on their feet,” said Mayor Moon. “We’re so grateful for our community supporting this.”

Several community members and supporters, including the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, local media, and volunteers stood in the front yard of the home for the ribbon cutting.

Embracing the humanitarian dedication of Sanctuary SPS founders LD Thompson and David Rothmiller, D.A.P.’s David Brinkman said the two organizations were perfect to unify for this endeavor.

“Together by leveraging all the goodness standing in this front yard today,” said David Brinkman, CEO, “we will help people actualize their full potential in life.”

Sanctuary Palm Springs is the creation of filmmakers and authors David Rothmiller and LD Thompson. Their goal is to provide LGBT teens in foster care a family home environment, a place of safety and stability. A caring and professional staff provide emotional support, in addition to an emphasis on education and the arts.

“Sanctuary Palm Springs is the first program of it’s kind,” said David Rothmiller, co-founder. “While providing housing, as well as education and employment opportunities to LGBT+ youth as they prepare to leave foster care, our home is a place of safety, where these kids can be who they were meant to be.”

Palm Springs interior designer Christopher Kennedy chose many of the fixtures, lighting and accessories for Sanctuary Palm Springs. All six bedrooms also are adorned with brand new MODE furniture, provided by Revivals Stores.

About Desert AIDS Project
Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) is a Federally Qualified Health Center in Palm Springs, CA offering D.A.P. Total Care – a combination of medical, dental, counseling, social services, support groups, alternative therapies, in-house pharmacy and lab, and other health and wellness services.  D.A.P.’s sexual health clinic, The DOCK, offers STD testing and treatment, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and free HIV and HCV testing. D.A.P.’s Get Tested Coachella Valley campaign, the nation’s first region-wide HIV testing and access to care initiative, was recognized by the White House for helping to bring about an AIDS-free future.  D.A.P. is rated a “Top 20 HIV Charity” by About.com. Visit www.desertaidsproject.org, www.thedockclinic.org, and www.gettestedcoachellavalley.org to learn more.

About Sanctuary Palm Springs
Sanctuary Palm Springs (SPS) is a Transitional Housing Program specifically designed to meet the needs of the LGBTQ community of foster youth transitioning to adulthood.

If you are 18 – 21 and are – or have been in – foster care and you would like to have a safe, welcoming home in which to successfully transition to adulthood, Sanctuary Palm Springs is the place for you.

Call us today to begin the application process. (760)766-3500. If you know someone who needs the additional support available through the THP+FC program, please share this site with them.

To find out more about Sanctuary Palm Springs, visit www.facebook.com/LGBTSanctuaryPalmSprings, www.twitter.com/sanctuaryps, and www.sanctuarypalmsprings.org to learn more.

DAP Leadership Presents Infectious Disea …

by Desert AIDS

D.A.P.’s own David Morris MD and Matt Moran MSN, ANP-BC, presented their research at the prestigious Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), happening this week in Boston.

CROI brings together top clinical researchers from around the world to share important developments and best research methods in the ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS and related infectious diseases.

CROI is a global model of collaborative science and the premier international venue for bridging basic and clinical investigation to clinical practice in the field of HIV and related viruses.

We are so proud!

Community Health Educator Spotlight: Por …

by Desert AIDS

Part of why I am so excited about being a Community Health Educator for Desert AIDS Project is that I get to be involved in helping spread the right kind of information to keep people healthy. I have a lifetime of personal experience in dealing with this pandemic. I am a strong advocate for the cause, and HIV has had a huge impact on my life.

I believe the key to getting to an AIDS-free generation is an education! Not only is knowledge the key, but along with giving out facts and statistics, we must also include our personal and individual stories. It is through our stories that we can make sense of all the information, and that we can UNDERSTAND and connect it to our real-life experiences.

My mother died from AIDS-related illnesses February 21, 2004, and I was born HIV positive in 1986. I am from San Bernardino, California, and there were no HIV medical specialists in my area back then. I had to be sent all the way to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. My provider’s name was Dr. Church, which I’ve always found ironic.

At the time, there were no treatments for HIV. The doctors said I would not live to be five-years-old. However, I just turned 31 December 5. Clearly, God had other plans for me.

My aunt and uncle took legal guardianship of me when I was two months old and made sure I got the care that I needed. Without them, I do not think that I would have been able to survive past my initial life expectancy. I would not have been taken care of very well at home, and definitely would not have made it to the millions of doctor appointments that I had to go to as a child.

I know that this dynamic occurs in a lot of black families as well. Grandmothers have to step up and take care of their grandchildren, or siblings have to step up to the plate and take care of their nieces and nephews due to drugs or incarceration. Fortunately for me, my family never treated me any different. I would not be as strong and independent as I am today if it was not for my family who loved me through my illness, regardless of the stigma.

I feel it is important that I include my stories when I give out facts and statistics, as an African American. Black experiences are often misrepresented in American society. It is through our personal stories that we learn the truth! Stories have the power to create social change and inspire a community.

That is precisely what I hope to accomplish at D.A.P. By sharing my own story about AIDS, along with the inspiration I get by working with the community, it is my wish that you will hear a message of hope.

Carson Kressley to Host 2018 Steve Chase …

by Desert AIDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steven Henke
[email protected]
(760) 656-84012018

Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards Carson Kressley will be new host

Emmy-Award winning TV personality, style expert, fashion designer and New York Times best-selling author Carson Kressley will replace Ross Mathews as host of the 24th Annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards. It was announced this week that Mathews will be sequestered in the Big Brother Celebrity House as he competes in the reality show that begins airing on February 7 on CBS. Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) CEO, David Brinkman shared the organizations support for Mathews. “We, along with all of his Palm Springs friends, will be cheering for Ross as he competes on Celebrity Big Brother and we look forward to having him return to host the 25th Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards in 2019”.

The addition of Kressley compliments an every growing list of style personalities and experts who will greet attendees when they arrive on the red carpet. Palm Springs Life fashion editor Susan Stein will be joined by celebrity fashion stylist Salvador Camarena, fashion designer Franck Ford, “Best in Drag Show” winner Ethylina Canne, Palm Springs Social’s Rob Grace, and KESQ’s Bianca Rae as they report on the Red Carpet Fashion Experience. KMIR News will be at the top of the main red carpet as guests arrive.

Now in its 24th year, the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards gala has raised millions of dollars to care for people living with HIV.  First organized by and named for famed interior designer Steve Chase – a former D.A.P. donor, volunteer, and board member – the gala is a highlight of the desert social season and pre-ceded the night prior by an exclusive VIP pre-party honoring major donors and celebrity guests.

The awards kick off at 7:00 PM and will feature En Vogue as headline entertainment and Thelma Houston at the after-party. 

Click here to reserve your place at the party for the 24th Annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards or call 760-992-0445

This year’s awards will shine a bright spotlight on local community members who have dedicated their time, talent and energy to ensuring D.A.P. is able to provide compassionate care to those who need it most. We are excited to announce Tony Marchese, owner of Trio Restaurant, will receive the Partners for Life Award, and Dr. Shubha Kerkar, MD, HIVMA, MACP, AAHIVS, Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease Specialist, will be recognized with the 100 Women Award.

Kressley started his career as an independent stylist and became invaluable to major designers like Ralph Lauren. A few years later, he took a leap into television when, in 2003, he became a breakout star as the fashion savant on Bravo’s “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”, which won a primetime Emmy.

He revolutionized America’s personal fashion sense of style as he filmed OWN Network’s “Carson-Nation”. Kressley travelled to small towns throughout the U.S. transforming lives – one person at a time- with his signature style, humor and heart. He also hosted multiple TV shows including Lifetime’s “How to Look Good Naked”, ABC’s “True Beauty” and competed on several reality competition shows such as the 13th season of “Dancing With The Stars” where he was a fan favorite.

Kressley is a New York Times best-selling author with three books to his credit, including You’re Different and That’s Super and Off The Cuff: The Essential Style Guide for Men and The Women Who Love Them. His latest book, a women’s style guide Does This Book Make My Butt Look Big? A Cheeky Guide to Feeling Sexier in Your Own Skin & Unleashing Your Personal Style was released on October 11, 2016 [St. Martin’s Press] to rave reviews.

A strong supporter of many philanthropic causes, Kressley uses his celebrity to advance different concerns such as The Trevor Project, The Human Rights Campaign, AIDS WALK, and the Al D. Rodriguez Liver Foundation. Kressley is also a trustee on the board of the True Colors Fund, The American Saddlebred Museum and Philadelphia University.

2018 Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards Sponsors

PRODUCING: Harold Matzner, Walgreens

MAJOR: Desert Regional Medical Center, Eisenhower Medical Center, Grace Helen Spearman Foundation, Reaction Marketing, The Desert Sun, Wells Fargo Foundation

STAR: Annette Bloch, Elgart Aster & Paul Swerdlove, KMIR, Renova Energy

SUPPORTING: Mark Adams, AFR Furniture Rentals, Blackbook, Brush Palm Springs, Chill Bar, Desert Oasis Healthcare, El Paseo Jewelers, Hydro Studios, Friends of John Rock, ITEX of the Desert Empire, Patrick Jordan, Kaiser Permanente, Barbara & Jerry Keller, Laura Kibby, Dorothy and Melvyn Lefkowitz, Macy’s, Renaissance Hotel, Savoury’s, Gregory E. Seller, Bruce Strohm, University of California, Riverside School of Medicine, Wade Endowment – Steven Anders, Trustee, Watkins Construction, Wells Fargo

BENEFACTOR: 29 Palms Band of Mission Indians, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Barkingham Palace, Karen & Tony Barone, Diageo, Gilead, HBA, Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs, Frank Kurland, Laboratory Corporation of America, Loan Depot, County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, Ann Sheffer & Bill Scheffler, Signs by Tomorrow, Spectrum, Bruce & Ann Strohm, Sysco-Riverside, TheBank Palm Springs, Union Bank of California Foundation

MEDIA: CV Independent, Gay Desert Guide, LOCALE Magazine,  Palm Springs Life, The Standard, Here Media, The Hollywood Times

About Desert AIDS Project

Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) is a Federally Qualified Health Center in Palm Springs, CA offering D.A.P. Total Care – a combination of medical, dental, counseling, social services, support groups, alternative therapies, in-house pharmacy and lab, and other health and wellness services.  D.A.P.’s sexual health clinic, The DOCK, offers STD testing and treatment, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and HIV and HCV testing. D.A.P.’s Get Tested Coachella Valley campaign, the nation’s first region-wide free HIV testing and access to care initiative, was recognized by the White House for helping to bring about an AIDS-free future.  D.A.P. has earned a “Four Star” rating from Charity Navigator for the sixth consecutive year – landing D.A.P. in the top 6% of nonprofits rated. The distinction recognizes that we exceed industry standards in terms of our financial health, accountability, and transparency. Visit www.desertaidsproject.org, www.thedockclinic.org, and www.gettestedcoachellavalley.org to learn more.

Reflecting on the legacy of Dr. Martin L …

by Desert AIDS

Annually black Americans pause in February to reflect upon our shared cultural heritage as African-Americans. In large part, our reflections turn to the Civil Rights struggles in the 1960s, spearheaded by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., among others. Sadly, for a growing sub-segment of the black (as well as Latinx) population in America, not only do we continue to battle against social-economic forces: poverty, unemployment, prejudice and an unbalanced justice system; we must face the reality that in minority communities, HIV is not on the decline like it is in the majority population.

Young gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in minority communities are at the highest risk for HIV in the USA! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that if current rates persist, half of all black; and a quarter of all Latino gay and bisexual men could be infected with HIV in their lifetimes.

On the one hand, Innovations in pharmaceutical science have given society the opportunity to “end the AIDS epidemic.” Be it daily medication, “meds” for people who are HIV-positive, which when taken on a daily basic effectively eliminate the potential of infecting another person and consequently ending the epidemic. Conjointly, on the other hand, HIV-negative individuals may avail themselves with Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily pill which practically eliminates seroconversion.

So where’s the problem you may ask? The answer is inexplicable. While the HIV infection rates continue to decrease for the majority population in the USA, the minority population continues to see increased HIV infections. Is this due to the stigma of men having sex with men in minority populations? Is it the lack of medical resources, and financial barriers to healthcare in minority populations? Or is it just ignorance of the medical advances available. Perhaps, the answer is a combination of all of the aforementioned.

What is certain is that behaviors have to change – both for the individual and society. Here in California, legislative leaders have finally shifted HIV focus to minority populations in an effort to increase awareness, testing and treatment.

The question becomes, what can we do to decrease the spread of HIV in minority populations?

  • • Increase public awareness of the disease in targeted minority populations and reduce the stigma. Black and Latino Americans have accepted the fact that they are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure and diabetes; let’s treat HIV like any other “manageable disease.”
  • • In order to treat HIV, folks have to get tested. The State of California is increasing funding for HIV testing and many non-profit health care centers like Desert AIDS Project are going to community festivals with mobile testing; to wit, Black History Month Festival, Blatino Oasis, Taste of Jalisco Festival, to name just a few.
  • • If someone is diagnosed, they must immediately be linked to care. Both Federal and State funds are available to cover ALL expenses for people who live below the poverty level so cost is not an issue.
  • • Folks need to stay in care and on their medication. Once in care and property taking medication an HIV-positive person becomes un-infectious and will not transmit the HIV virus.

This is an attainable plan. What is missing is the public outcry and demand for social services to address not only the stigma attached to “gay sex,” but to address health care for ALL Americans. To borrow the words from Dr. King:

“I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low. The rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight.”

Carl Baker is Directory of Legal and Legislative Affairs for Desert AIDS Project. He is passionate about USC Trojans football and is an avid swimmer.

D.A.P. Receives Elton John AIDS Foundati …

by Desert AIDS

Desert AIDS Project is the proud recipient of a $10,000 renewal grant from the Elton John AIDS Foundation to provide HIV testing in the Coachella Valley.

This renewal grant supports Desert AIDS Project’s Get Tested Coachella Valley campaign goal to reduce HIV transmission in high-risk, underserved populations by continuing to provide access to free testing and linkage to care. In addition, this grant will support implementation prevention strategies to increase community awareness of HIV, its risk factors and transmission modes; and help to provide comprehensive services to promote retention in care and adherence to treatment.

Desert AIDS Project launched Get Tested Coachella Valley with over 100 community partners in 2014 to combat shockingly high HIV prevalence rates in their service region. This renewal grant supports a scaled-up service profile for this program to reach an expanded pool of at-risk populations over the next year. HIV testing and counseling services will also include linkage to care.

HIV testing and linkage to care activities also raise awareness of and facilitate access to PrEP and PEP as HIV prevention measures for high-risk populations. The program’s Public Health Liaisons will include expanded HIV prevention education to include important strategies about these HIV prevention tools into ongoing presentations to healthcare professionals.

Desert AIDS Project’s (D.A.P.) mission is to enhance and promote the health and well-being of their community. D.A.P. is the largest, most comprehensive AIDS service organization serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties of Southern California. Over the past year, the D.A.P. provided primary medical care, behavioral healthcare, oral healthcare, and comprehensive social services to over 4,200 people of all races and ethnicities in 2016.

 

D.A.P. Shines Spotlight on Community Par …

by Desert AIDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steven Henke
[email protected]
(760) 656-8401

2017 Desert AIDS Walk – Our Community in Action
D.A.P. Shines Spotlight on Community Partners

PALM SPRINGS, CA (August 23, 2017) On Saturday, October 21 over 2,000 community members will unite in Ruth Hardy Park to walk in the 31st Desert AIDS Walk in support of Desert AIDS Project, presented by Desert Regional Medical Center. This years walk, with the theme of ‘Our Community In Action’, will follow a 2.5-mile route through downtown Palm Springs and is notable for the diversity of community members who come together as teams each year to support Desert AIDS Project and our twelve community partners.

Desert AIDS Project’s Chief Development Officer, Darrell Tucci on this year’s walk: “Desert AIDS Project has a long history as a leader in community healthcare and is unique in its approach to providing comprehensive services to underserved communities. We are, at our core, a non-profit health care center, specializing in HIV and infectious disease, supported in large part by the communities we serve. We focus on building relationships that serve our clients and I’m especially excited by the addition of new community partnerships this year – including One Palm Springs Neighborhood Organization, Palm Springs Unified School System’s Gay Straight Alliances and United Way of the Desert, who will be making Desert AIDS Walk the final walk in its annual Nine Weekly Walks as they prepare for their annual Tram Road Challenge event.”

Desert AIDS Walk 2017 begins at 8 am and will feature live entertainment, a Health & Wellness Festival featuring over 40 vendor booths, and a kid’s activity zone. Desert AIDS Project CEO, David Brinkman is expected to update the community on the progress D.A.P. has made in eliminating HIV/AIDS and the work that remains to be done to ensure community health becomes a reality for every resident of the Coachella Valley.

Schedule of Events

8:00 Health & Wellness Festival Opens LIVE DJ Breakfast courtesy of Koffi
8:30 Community Leaders Welcome Walkers
9:30 Walk Steps Off on 2.5 Mile Route
10:30 Walkers return to Ruth Hardy Park Health & Wellness Festival Continues LIVE Entertainment Complimentary lunch and snacks courtesy of multiple sponsors.

2017 Desert AIDS Walk Sponsors

Presented by Desert Regional Medical Center.
Major sponsors to date: Walgreens, Grace Helen Spearman Foundation, Gilead, The Desert Sun, and KMIR.
Other Sponsors include: Revivals Stores, Jus Chillin, Koffi, VIP Mobile Suites, The Standard Magazine, Gay Desert Guide, and CV Independent.

About Desert AIDS Project
Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) is a Federally Qualified Health Center in Palm Springs, CA offering D.A.P. Total Care – a combination of medical, dental, counseling, social services, support groups, alternative therapies, in-house pharmacy and lab, and other health and wellness services. D.A.P.’s sexual health clinic, The DOCK, offers STD testing and treatment, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and HIV and HCV testing. D.A.P.’s Get Tested Coachella Valley campaign, the nation’s first region-wide free HIV testing and access to care initiative, was recognized by the White House for helping to bring about an AIDS-free future. D.A.P. has earned a “Four Star” rating from Charity Navigator for the sixth consecutive year – landing D.A.P. in the top 6% of nonprofits rated. The distinction recognizes that we exceed industry standards in terms of our financial health, accountability, and transparency. Visit www.desertaidsproject.org, www.thedockclinic.org, and www.gettestedcoachellavalley.org to learn more.

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D.A.P. Marks Its 33rd Year Providing Com …

by Desert AIDS

Today, Desert AIDS Project marks its 33rd year providing compassionate care to the Coachella Valley. A lot has changed since 1984 when a group of volunteers got together to respond to the emerging AIDS crisis that others were ignoring. In 1984, when public agencies and health care systems were slow to respond, D.A.P.’s founders, a group of grass roots activists, heeded a call to action as they watched their friends, loved ones, and members of our community suffering and dying. They created a ‘community in action’ roadmap that D.A.P. still uses when we respond to new needs and open our doors wider to invite new underserved community members into care.

Today, Desert AIDS Project is one of the largest, most comprehensive AIDS Service organizations serving the Inland Empire region of Southern California. Advancing our mission to enhance and promote the health and well-being of our community, D.A.P. continually evolves its services and programs to meet the changing needs of the people we serve.

I was reminded, in a very personal way, yesterday about the people we served. I received a message from a D.A.P. client named Jerry. I said hello to him as he waited for a routine blood test. His note to me later that day said simply “It was good to see you. Seeing you relaxed me. I always get so scared when I go to a medical appointment.”

Much has changed in 33 years, but the emotions felt by people we serve remain the same. They worry about whether they will receive the care they need to remain well. They worry about the results of blood tests. And they worry about how they will be treated.

D.A.P.’s employees and supporters are humanitarians engaged in the important work of providing compassionate care. To honor our shared humanitarian work and Desert AIDS Project’s thirty-fourth anniversary, I’ve made a contribution of $33 to help fund client services at D.A.P. Will you consider joining me and do the same today?

Until there’s a cure…. and beyond,

David Brinkman
Chief Executive Officer, Desert AIDS Project

Revivals Stores Announce CV Art Scene Co …

by Desert AIDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steven Henke
[email protected]
(760) 656-8401

Revivals Stores Announce CV Art Scene Collaboration

PS You Make It DIY Fashion Event August 19 at Palm Springs Fan Club

PALM SPRINGS, CA (August 14, 2017) – Revivals Stores and Sarah Scheideman — founder and executive director of The Coachella Valley Art Scene have partnered with Fashion Stylist Patrick Michael Lopaze to create a new POP-UP Event at Palm Springs Fan Club on Saturday, August 19. Palm Springs Fan Club is located next to ARRIVE Hotel in Palm Springs, CA.

Watch the promo video for PS You Make It

The DIY Fashion event will feature curated racks of denim, t-shirts and accessories selected by Patrick Michael Lopaze from Revivals Stores for the PS You Make It event. The stylist will be on hand to show attendees new ways to wear recycled fashion accessories. He currently appears in a Style Revival video series about creating your own style from found fashion — “Everything NEW is OLD again.”

Watch Patrick Michael Lopaze talk about PS You Make It

Guests of the event will be able to purchase t-shirts, accessories, or denim and customize them at the Coachella Valley Art Scene’s DIY table to apply their personal style. Proceeds will benefit Desert AIDS Project’s PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support Program).

The event will also feature an artist talk with Muralist and Illustrator, Sofia Enriquez. The Indio native will present her capsule collection of hand-painted garments from Revivals Stores.

Watch Sofia Enriquez talk about PS You Make It

Rafael Lopez aka DJ Alf Alpha will be spinning samples of vintage vinyl he’s collected at Revivals Stores combined with his own mix of new sounds during the event.

Watch Alf Alpha talk about his vinyl collection and PS You make It

The 21+ POP-UP event located at Palm Springs Fan Club is free and open to the public Saturday, August 19 from 1-4 PM. Palm Springs Fan Club is a cocktail lounge and event space located next to ARRIVE Hotel in Palm Springs at 1551 N Palm Canyon Drive.  Designed with a nod to the iconic wind farms just outside Palm Springs city limits, Palm Springs Fan Club is a playful and unique location for pop-ups, receptions, meetings, and weddings.

About Revivals Stores
Revivals has three locations – Palm Springs, Cathedral City, and Palm Desert. The stores are largely staffed by volunteers who support our mission, which enables Revivals to make a significant financial contribution to the Desert AIDS Project.

Revivals Stores have become a destination for bargain hunters, designers, and style influencers looking for unique items and creative inspiration. Each store features the Mode at Revivals collection of new furniture, lighting, rugs, wall art and décor along with resale thrift, enabling shoppers to create their own personal space inspired by the stores Mixed-Century Modern vibe.

Revivals Stores won Best Furniture Store and Best Consignment / Resale Store in Desert Outlook Magazine’s 2017 Ultimate Pride Contest, Best Consignment / Resale Store in Desert Magazine’s 2017 Best of the Valley Contest and Best Consignment / Resale and Best Vintage Clothing Store in Palm Springs Life’s 2017 Best of the Best Contest.

Visit revivalsstores.com and desertaidsproject.org to learn more.

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Bank of America Awards Grant to Support …

by Desert AIDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steven Henke
[email protected]
(760) 656-8401

Bank of America Awards Grant to Desert AIDS Project

Funding will support nutrition services.

PALM SPRINGS, CA (June 19, 2017) Bank of America awarded a grant of $20,000 that will assist Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) in preventing hunger for low-income people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). D.A.P. has formed an alliance with AAP/Food Samaritans to better serve the needs of our community, while working to minimize the duplication of services. Grant funds will be used to purchase and distribute fresh produce, healthy staples, and grocery vouchers benefitting at least 300 food-insecure PLWHA monthly, year-round.

Low-income PLWHA face serious barriers to meeting basic needs, including food and shelter, that contribute to postponing or foregoing medical care altogether, resulting in delayed access to care, negative health outcomes and escalating service costs (“Comprehensive Needs Assessment 2014, “CNA 2014” Inland Empire HIV Planning Council, “IEHPC”). Currently, the average annual household income of D.A.P. clients receiving food services is $11,892.75, well below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). At least 50% of D.A.P. clients receive Supplementary Security Income based on disability, rendering them ineligible for the CalFresh food “stamp” program. In a recent survey of PLWHA in our region, respondents identified Food Services as their most used support service, at 58.5% (CNA 2014, IEHPC). Access to nutrition produces tangible health benefits for HIV-infected clients. HIV medication regimens require wholesome nutrition to reinforce the beneficial effects of the drugs taken (“Living Well with HIV/AIDS: A Manual on Nutritional Care and Support for People Living with HIV/AIDS,” U.S.D.A., 2002). Nutritious food is a vital “co-therapy” working with medical intervention to stabilize or improve health for PLWHA such as warding off “wasting,” a severe loss of muscle tissue that may accompany HIV. D.A.P’s Nutrition Services Program helps HIV-infected clients to maintain body weight, strength, replace lost vitamins and minerals and support the efficacy of medication, thereby improving their response to treatment and reducing the risk of disease transmission and progression of HIV to AIDS.

“We recognize that expenses associated with treatment for HIV and AIDS can inhibit economic mobility and limit access to essential resources like healthy food,” said Al Arguello, Inland Empire market president, Bank of America. “We are proud to support Desert Aids Project in their work to ensure people living with HIV and AIDS never have to choose between meeting their basic needs and seeking life-saving care.”

D.A.P.’s overarching, mission-driven goal is to provide greater access to health and human services for low-income PLWHA as well as the economically disadvantaged and underserved community. Since becoming a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Look-Alike in 2012 and a full FQHC in 2015, D.A.P. has expanded its operational capacity to provide primary medical care to all low-income members of the community living below 200% of FPL regardless of HIV status or the ability to pay for healthcare. The number of unduplicated patients we served grew 55% from calendar years 2015 to 2016, from 2,703 patients in 2015 to 4205 in 2016. For over 30 years, D.A.P. has endeavored to meet the evolving needs of PLWHA while protecting the health of the surrounding community by preventing new HIV infections through prevention education and outreach. In calendar year 2015-2016, D.A.P. served 2,426 low-income, racially and ethnically diverse men, women, and adolescents living with HIV/AIDS.

D.A.P.’s Nutrition Services Program, operating since 2001, has long addressed food insecurity and the nutritional needs of clients receiving HIV medications, as well as suffering from co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. D.A.P. meets the specialized dietary needs of its clients by including recommended food choices, as well as supplementary nutritional drinks in our food distribution services. Additionally, its on-staff Registered Dietician provides D.A.P. clients suffering from the side effects of HIV medications, and/or co-morbid conditions with dietary guidance to improve health.

About Desert AIDS Project

Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) is a Federally Qualified Health Center in Palm Springs, CA offering D.A.P. Total Care – a combination of medical, dental, counseling, social services, support groups, alternative therapies, in-house pharmacy and lab, and other health and wellness services.  D.A.P.’s sexual health clinic, The DOCK, offers STD testing and treatment, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and HIV and HCV testing. D.A.P.’s Get Tested Coachella Valley campaign, the nation’s first region-wide free HIV testing and access to care initiative, was recognized by the White House for helping to bring about an AIDS-free future. D.A.P. is rated a “Top 20 HIV Charity” by About.com. Visit www.desertaidsproject.org, www.thedockclinic.org, and www.gettestedcoachellavalley.org to learn more.

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