2014 Spring Update Newsletter

VIVA

RED

APRIL 26, 2014 | hillcountryride.org Janet Newton, medical case manager at ASA, has biked in every Hill Country Ride since 2008. Founded in 1999, The Hill Country Ride celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. The annual cycling event raises funds for local AIDS service organizations and provides fellowship and camaraderie to cyclists of all ages and levels.

For Janet, biking means one thing: freedom. “Why do we do this?” she explains. “Get up early when we could be in bed? Because we can when many can’t.”

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Groundbreaking, Responsible, Anticipating the Future In the HIV and AIDS field, the landscape changes constantly. Each year brings new medical advancements that help people live longer, healthier lives with HIV. However, as the number of people affected by HIV grows, ASA’s services become even more in demand.

Throughout the past 26 years serving Central Texans, we’ve learned to get one step ahead of the curve, always staying informed and anticipating where the highest need will be in the months or years ahead. We founded the first dental clinic in Central Texas for people living with HIV and helped volunteers pioneer the groundbreaking Octopus Club fundraising model, which raised its two millionth dollar this year.

“We work daily to identify future issues that affect the well-being of our clients.”

The past few years have seen renewed hope as research into cures and vaccines has made incredible breakthroughs. But approaching HIV treatment and prevention requires not just medical insight, but social and behavioral foresight. In Texas, the rate of new HIV infections has been increasing, and over the past two years, 40% of new infections has been youth ages 15-29. With our expanding youth space at the Q Austin and new “Camp Q” messaging, ASA was ready to tackle this trend, reaching young people in new, innovative ways.

These trends demonstrate the value of our responsibility to the community and our mission. However, we cannot help our community without the help of our community. This year marks the 15th Anniversary of the Hill Country Ride, a cornerstone of fellowship and support in Austin. 2014 also marks the 21st anniversary of Viva, benefiting the Capital Area AIDS Legal Project (CAALP). Like many of our programs, CAALP was created in response to an immediate need, particularly for people faced with difficult medical decisions, financial hardship, end-of-life concerns, and even discrimination.

Through ASA’s proven programs and services, we anticipate and tackle each new challenge as it comes along. We work daily to identify future issues that affect the well-being of our clients. And as always, we rely on your continued support to serve the needs of a growing population.

Respectfully yours,

Paul E. Scott Executive Director

AMPLIFY AUSTIN - MARCH 20-21 Start getting pumped up for Amplify Austin, part of I Live Here, I Give Here! It’s 24 hours of fundraising madness, starting at 6 PM on March 20, ending at 6 PM on March 21. St. David’s Foundation will match gifts made to ASA, and at the end, the top 30 organizations will receive a matching gift from Amplify Austin. Last year, more than 300 non-profits came together and raised $2.8 million, which was then “amplified” by generous sponsors.

Your participation helps raise funds for thousands of Central Texans affected

by HIV and AIDS, helping them get medical case management, social support, dental care, and above all, security and peace of mind.

Please mark your calendars and give generously on March 20 & 21!

WELCOME ASA BOARD MEMBERS! Daniel Huffine, MBA New Board Member Chief Financial Officer of St. David’s South Austin Medical Center, Daniel has more than 15 years of healthcare experience in Texas, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Daniel earned his BS in business and accounting from Montana State University and his MBA with an emphasis on healthcare administration from Regis University.

Steve Flores, DDS New Board Member Dr. Steve Flores, owner of Periodontal Health Professionals in Austin, has been practicing for over 18 years, and is a member of the Texas Dental Association, American Dental Association, American Academy of Periodontology, and the Capital Area Dental Society. He received his DDS from the University of Texas in Houston.

Richard Fu, McCombs School of Business Board Fellow

Chris Hall, McCombs School of Business Board Fellow

A former management consultant in Accenture’s Strategy practice, Richard has worked on strategic growth initiatives in healthcare for Global 500 corporations. He also spent six months in Geneva advising an HIV and AIDS NGO. Richard is pursuing his MBA and holds a BA in Economics from New York University.

Formerly a management consultant in Deloitte’s Strategy & Operations practice, Chris has worked on strategy and operations in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. Chris also launched a pro bono project with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Chris is an MBA Candidate with a Bachelors from Emory University.

LIZA HINOJOSA

DIRECTOR OF PREVENTION PROGRAMS With over 18 years of experience, mostly in HIV prevention, Liza joins us from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), where she provided oversight in monitoring and technical assistance to agencies on HIV prevention, Ryan White, HOPWA, and State Service activities. She also guided program implementation for the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and facilitated quality management and site reviews for all DSHS HIV Prevention grantees. Linkage to Medical Care, Prevention with Positive Persons, Condom Distribution, and Health Care Reform are all special projects she recently led or was involved with.

In her free time, Liza enjoys spending time with loved ones, reading, crafting, and being outdoors.

JANET NEWTON | HILL COUNTRY RIDE Continued from page 1

Throughout her life, Janet has biked whenever she could, even using a bicycle as her primary transportation when she lived in New York City.

The Hill Country Ride helps her meld a passion for biking with supporting her agency. “It touches my heart,” she says, “because everyone that rides has a personal reason.”

Over the years, Janet has tried different routes offered by the Ride. She remembers one especially steep hill in the 2012 ride that she only climbed halfway. Since the route changed this year, she says, “I’ll never know if I could have done it.”

While Janet constantly tries to stay active, she plans to take targeted spin classes and attend the training sessions offered by the HIll Country Ride.

But ultimately she knows that riders “don’t sign up for the Ride. They sign up for the experience. It connects you with all the people who have gone before you.”

BILL GARZA

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Bill joins ASA from the corporate sector, where he has over 15 years of strategic and financial experience in a variety of industries, ranging from financial services to consumer products. He has served as a management consultant with McKinsey & Company, a VP of Strategic Planning with American Express, the CFO of Hermes Music Group, and most recently as a Senior Manager with Google.

Bill received his MBA from Harvard and is also a McCombs School of Business graduate. Before officially joining the ASA team, Bill volunteered his time and has been an avid supporter of HIV and LGBT organizations in several cities. A native of McAllen, TX, Bill enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

2014 BOARD OFFICERS

Kevin Witcher Leslie Wingo Fred Sultan Chair Chair-Elect Treasurer

Check out asaustin.org to read full-bios on all Staff Directors & Board Members.

Jennifer Sowinski Secretary

Save

the

Date: April 26, 2014

Come out to cheer on ASA’s riders as we raise funds and awareness for thousands of Central Texans who rely on our programs and services.

Join our team (the ASA Wheeler Dealers) or donate online at hillcountryride.org.

Your support helps our clients get medical care, oral healthcare, counseling, social support, and much more. In addition, it helps us reach many more thousands through our testing and health promotion programs, helping people most at risk learn how to protect themselves and their partners.

2014 CALENDAR of EVENTS FEBRUARY

MARCH

Celebration for Star Partners, Viva Sponsors February 8 Home of Hans Bengtson

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day February 7

Octopus Club 25th Anniversary | $2 Million Party

HCRA Cocoa Social

February 23, 5:30 PM Mexic-Arte Museum

February 8

Visit n. sti asau / org D RE viva

National Week of Prayer

March 2 - 9

Viva RED

March 1, 8 PM - 11:30 PM Shoal Crossing Event Center

National Women & Girls HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day March 10

National Native American HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day March 20

I Live Here, I Give Here: Amplify Austin March 20, 6 PM - March 21, 6 PM

APRIL ArtErotica

Date and Location TBD

Visit s pu octo org/ . club otica r arte

Red Ribbon Dinner: Olive & June April 7, 6:30 PM 3411 Glenview Ave. Austin, TX 78703

Hill Country Ride for AIDS (HCRA) April 26 Reunion Ranch, 850 CR 255, Georgetown, TX

Visit cou hill n ride try .org

Vis asau it org/ stin. amp lify

MAY Back to the Boathouse May 4 Frank

HIV Vaccine Awareness Day May 18

AIDS Candlelight Memorial May 18

National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day May 19

PREVENTION ROUND-UP Testing Over the past year, ASA’s preven1,600+ tests tion team has been working hard.

Our testing team started the year by given in 2013 switching from the oral swab to the blood stick test, which provides more accurate results in under 20 minutes. They also expanded testing initiatives to provide hepatitis C and syphilis screening, and altogether, they conducted over 1,600 HIV tests.

The testing team also had great successes at local events and collaborated with several groups to promote HIV awareness and ASA’s services among African American, Latino, Hispanic, and transgender communities.

Our team also made testing easier across Central Texas by doing mobile testing and offering HIV tests at several locations through the Austin Harm Reduction Coalition.

Health Promotion Over 40% of new infections over the past few years have been in youth ages 15-29. Increasingly, we hear that HIV is viewed as a problem of the past or as a chronic condition that can be treated with just a daily pill, rather than a death sentence. But HIV is still here and is starting to disproportionately affect a younger generation.

The Q Austin has offered young Central Texas men a safe space to learn about HIV, sexual health, and protecting themselves. This year, the Q Austin, ASA’s Mpowerment Project, rolled out its new Camp Q campaign. Innovative, funny, sassy, and educational, the Camp Q campaign uses eye-catching graphics and posters to provide a reminder that HIV is still a risk. It also allows ASA to easily educate young men on how to protect themselves.

Read more about it and view promotional materials online: theQAustin.org.

KELLY and CAALP Even under the best of conditions, legal issues can be confusing and intimidating. Add the complication of HIV, and legal problems can quickly become debilitating and life-altering. Last year, the Capital Area AIDS Legal Project (CAALP) helped 109 clients, including Food Bank volunteer and Viva RED committee member Kelly Alexander, who was being threatened with eviction.

“If I mess up even by a little [with my finances], I’m out of luck...” Kelly explained. Last summer, Kelly lost his medical premium assistance and fell behind in rent while taking care of his health. In October, he found a handwritten eviction notice on his door. “It seemed shady,” so he reached out to his social worker, who referred him to CAALP for legal counsel.

Armed with timely advice from his lawyer (who agreed the note wasn’t appropriate) and some help from the Paul Kirby Emergency Fund, Kelly was able to stay in his apartment for another 30 days. It’s because of his experience as a client that he volunteers at ASA. “Volunteering gives me something that’s not a job or school, but that I want to excel at. I’m helping people exactly like me. And I want to show clients they can do it too!” On Viva RED: “I like being part of a group working towards a goal that will help other people in the long run.”

After a rough year, Kelly is looking forward to Viva RED being a night of excitement. “It’s flashy, and you get to dress up! Who doesn’t like that?” But don’t let the glamor distract you from the event’s real cause: “[Hopefully] just one person recognizes that we’re doing a good thing that night.... I feel there is good out there and good in acknowledging those successes.”

Congratulations!

Join us in congratulating the Octopus Club on its 25th Anniversary and its two millionth dollar raised! The Octopus Club plays a vital role in raising funds for the Paul Kirby emergency Fund at ASA. Many of ASA’s funds are restricted in their use, but having a fluid fund like Paul Kirby means we are able to help clients with crucial, everyday needs such as vitamin supplements, eyeglasses, housing, bus passes, and utilities.

Last year, the Paul Kirby Fund provided nearly $38,000 in assistance to 176 clients!

See celebration event in calendar (pg 4)

2014 Board of Directors Hans Bengtson | Jesse Butler | Nedrea Clayton-Westbrooks | Steve Flores | Richard Fu, Board Fellow | Chris Hall, Board Fellow | Daniel Huffine | Laura Merritt | Andy Miller | Albert Percival | Monica Saavedra | Anna Sanchez, Past Chair | Jennifer Sowinski, Secretary | Joah Spearman | Fred Sultan, Treasurer | Kevin Witcher, Chair | Leslie Wingo, Chair-Elect | David Wright, MD

ASA Staff Directors Paul E. Scott, Executive Director | Susan E. Campion, Chief Programs Officer Bill R. Garza, Chief Finanical Officer | Liza Hinojosa, Prevention Programs Director Marianne DeLeon, Development Director | Erin Becnel, Access Services Director

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Laura and Bob Higley Foundation Lew Aldridge

Austin banks with Velocity.

Bill Dickson

Jeff Price

www.velocitycu.com

38th Street Pharmacy | Austin Bar Association | Austin Chronicle | Austin Lawyer | Barron & Newburger PC | Hans Bengtson Heidi Bloch & Zoe King | Barbara Ellis & Alex McAlmon | Frank Garrahan | Bill Garza | Frost | Graves, Dougherty, Hearon & Moody Richard Hartgrove & Gary Cooper | Heritage Title | Inside Austin & Entercom Austin | Kermit Johns & Able Billheimer Patrick Keel Mediator-Arbitrator | Lisa Owens | the Republiq | KOOP | Paul Scott & Scott Simons | Skip Smith Fred Sultan & Don Meek | Honorable Susan Steeg & Sarah Calvert | Tax Crunch Now | Texas Lawyers' Insurance Exchange Tribeza | Kevin Witcher & Rick O'Donnell | Wright Watson & Associates

Culinary Partners Alfred Engstrand Catering | Amy’s Ice Cream | Baked By Amy’s | Finn and Porter | Frank In Good Taste Catering | Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill | Siena Ristorante Toscana | TRACE | Vox Table

BECOME A STAR PARTNER! Our Star Partners are the heart of ASA’s giving program.

Learn more online at asaustin.org/donate. facebook.com/AIDS.Services.of.Austin twitter.com/asaustin youtube.com/AIDSServicesofAustin issuu.com/asaustin

PO Box 4674 Austin, TX 78765

asaustin.org

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