ASA's 2015 Fall Newsletter by AIDS Services of Austin

An AIDS SERVICES of AUSTIN NEWSLETTER VOLUME XXVIII ISSUE 2

Our Walk. Our Community. Our Responsibility.

AIDS WALK AUSTIN HONORARY CHAIR: WADE DAVIS AIDS Walk Austin is pleased to announce Mr. Wade Davis as the 2015 Honorary Chair. Wade Davis is a thought leader, advocate, writer, public speaker, and educator on gender, race, and orientation equality. Davis will lead the Walk and speak during the opening ceremonies as well as spend his time in Austin reaching out to community groups and organizations. Davis comments, “I’m humbled to be the Honorary Chair of AIDS Walk Austin. And excited to continue the conversation about how HIV and AIDS impacts us all. Regardless of your status, we must use our collective voices and resources to help end the epidemic. Beyond that we must also have honest and nuanced conversations about those most impacted by HIV and AIDS and include how poverty, racism, homophobia, transphobia, and more further marginalize those within our LGBTQ community. Stand in solidarity with me against HIV and AIDS. We can end this epidemic.” Originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, Davis played football for Washington’s NFL team, the Tennessee Titans, and the Seattle Seahawks, as well as for two NFL Europe league teams. Story continues on page 3

INNOVATION: STAYING AHEAD OF THE CURVE In July 2015, the White House updated their National HIV/AIDS Strategy to reflect new, more effective tactics for reducing the number of new HIV infections. By providing widespread HIV testing and linkage to care, keeping people living with HIV in care, and providing access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), ASA is already on the forefront of HIV prevention and treatment. Through our twelve programs, we help individuals at need with the goal of creating a healthier community. Last year, we provided 1,600 HIV and STD tests to Central Texans free of charge, using our new Mobile Testing Van to reach at-risk populations. We improved our retention rates in several programs across the agency, including Medical Nutrition Therapy, which helps people who have progressed to AIDS manage their health through proper diet. Earlier this year, we opened our brand new, expanded Dental Clinic, which provides services on a sliding scale to ensure that everyone, regardless of their socio-economic status, can receive care.

ASA is already on the forefront of HIV prevention and treatment.

In order to stay ahead of the curve, we continuously innovate, making sure our programs are evidence-based, and keeping on top of the latest studies and best practices in HIV treatment and prevention. We have developed new community partnerships with CommunityCareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s David Powell Clinic in order to make sure that people are being treated comprehensively. Above all, we continue to reach towards a goal of universal viral suppression: a goal outlined in the updated National HIV/AIDS Strategy, and one that Austin is on its way to achieving. In 2012, 52% of Austinites living with HIV had achieved viral suppression, due in part to a dedicated community of donors, volunteers, and advocates who have helped bring HIV to the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention. Over the next year, we will continue to innovate in our agency structure, our community partnerships, our programs, and our fundraising efforts. We look forward to working with each and every one of you to make sure that we meet the needs of the community and have a positive effect on the next generation of Central Texans.

AIDS SERVICES of AUSTIN ENVISIONS an EMPOWERED COMMUNITY COMMITTED to HEALTHIER LIVES, FREE FROM STIGMA, for PEOPLE AFFECTED by HIV and AIDS.

Respectfully yours,

Paul E. Scott Executive Director

rvices of A

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Special thanks to Dr. Steve Flores and David Thibodeaux for an amazing Star Party event celebrating the opening of the new dental clinic! Call Christopher Alberts at 512-406-6115 for more information on becoming a Star Partner.

STAR PARTNER PARTY!

PARTN

MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY ROUND-UP The relationship between healthy eating and a healthy life is often overlooked by people living with HIV. Between concerns about getting case management, health care, and medicine, nutrition gets placed on the back burner. In addition, the cost of buying healthy food can be hard to justify when you are scraping by to afford health insurance, prescriptions, rent, and utilities. That’s where ASA’s Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) Program comes in. About one-third of our food bank clients use the MNT program to establish realistic goals for their nutritional health. Our registered dietitian (RD) Christine Marquette works with more than 80 clients yearly. “Some clients are homeless and therefore very food insecure, which has caused many health problems,” Christine explains. “So our program is helping to meet their basic needs. Others may just have had a setback and need some help getting their nutritional health back on track.” Before clients can access MNT services, they must complete a nutritional risk screen (which looks at their medical history, current medical needs, and current eating habits,) and they must have received an AIDS diagnosis or be showing symptoms. Then, after an initial 90-minute assessment, Christine determines if the client needs supplemental nutrition, and if so, what type is most appropriate. Our program The client can then pick up these supplements with every food bank is helping to visit, which includes a weigh-in to meet their monitor their nutritional status. In order to continue receiving supplements, basic needs. MNT clients must attend follow-up appointments.

Long-term

Nonprogressors or Elite Controllers An estimated 1 out of 300 people living with HIV fall in this category: •

have very low viral loads

•

have a high CD4 (white blood cell) count

•

show little to no signs of HIV and may not know they are infected

•

do not need to take anti-retrovirals

By studying elite controllers, scientists hope to learn what makes their immune systems unique, in order to one day develop a method to boost the immune systems of other people living with HIV.

“Our goal has been to have a show rate of more than 75%,” Christine explains. “Historically we have been in the 70 – 80% range, but for three months this year, we have achieved a show rate (or “retention in care”) of over 90%!” In addition, Christine has recently seen two elderly clients (in their 70s) graduate from the MNT program. Christine recently had a client reenroll in the MNT program after being released from prison. In addition to a history of drug and substance abuse, this particular client had a history of missing appointments. “When the client reenrolled, his weight was at 88% of his ideal body weight,” Christine recalls. “He kept his initial appointment and started coming to food bank every two weeks for his supplements and to get his weight check. He managed to stay sober for 5 straight months and got his weight up to 90% of his ideal body weight! Although he did have a small relapse with drugs and alcohol, causing him to miss one food bank week, he made his follow-up MNT appointment and has gotten back on track with sobriety. He has also joined a gym and is doing yoga and swimming twice a week, in addition to following a healthy eating plan.” Read more about the Medical Nutrition Therapy program on our blog: asaustin.org/blog.

STRONG AND UNIQUE: MEET TERRI Terri Davis is not your typical woman living with HIV. She first learned her status 17 years ago when she was pregnant with her daughter. “When I found out, the only fear I had was having a child with HIV.” Her daughter was born perfectly healthy, and for all intents and purposes, Terri is in perfect health too. In fact, until a few years ago, Terri had never taken regular an antiviral to combat her HIV. Unlike most people in her situation, she has never been sick, and she never progressed to AIDS. Due to a unique combination of circumstances that scientists have been studying for years, Terri is what doctors call a long-term nonprogressor or an elite controller. In 1997, Terri moved to South Carolina, where she learned her status. “I had a pity party for two weeks and then went about my business. My sister said, ‘You’re going be fine. It’s 90% how you view it, and 10% physical.” However, services in South Carolina were not very broad, and Terri fell out of care. Once she arrived in Austin in 2014, she found AIDS Services of Austin and was connected to a case worker, Matthew Morefield, who helped her get medical care and housing. “He was very helpful. I enjoyed working with him. He helped guide me through the steps I needed to get on my feet.” Through ASA, she was connected to CommunityCare’s David Powell Clinic to see a doctor who was able to get her back on the same medications since she hadn’t built any resistance. In addition to her great health, Terri has also never had side effects from the medications. “I’m pretty blessed.” Read Terri’s full story on our blog: asaustin.org/blog.

2015 Board of Directors

Paul E. Scott, Executive Director | Susan E. Campion, Chief Programs Officer Bill R. Garza, Chief Financial Officer | Christopher Alberts, Director of Development Liza Hinojosa, Director of Prevention Programs | Erin Becnel, Director of Access Services Sandra Chavez, Associate Director of Direct Services

ASA Staff Directors

THANKS TO OUR 2015 AIDS WALK SPONSORS LEW ALDRIDGE

Paul Scott & Scott Simons Austin banks with Velocity.

Vintage IT Services | Kirby Watson & Tim Packard | Birds Barbershop | Minuteman Press

NATIONAL HIV TESTING DAY Our testing team conducted 85 HIV tests and 41 syphilis tests over three days at Walgreens!

facebook.com/AIDS.Services.of.Austin twitter.com/asaustin youtube.com/AIDSServicesofAustin issuu.com/asaustin

PO Box 4874 Austin, TX 78765

asaustin.org

Supported by

Dine Out. Fight AIDS. Monday and Tuesday September 14 and 15 Dining for Life is now part of the national campaign Dining Out for Life! Dine at any of our partner restaurants on Monday, September 14, and Tuesday, September 15, and a portion of your bill will help people affected by HIV and AIDS.

DiningForLife.org

Monday

Tuesday

ALC Steaks Alcomar Café Josie Eastside Café El Alma Restaurante Bar El Chile Café y Cantina El Sapo Eureka! Fabi + Rosi Fonda San Miguel Gusto Hoover’s Cooking Hyde Park Bar & Grill (all locations) Manuel’s (all locations) Maudie’s (all locations) Mother’s Cafe Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill North By Northwest Restaurant & Brewery (NXNW) Shady Grove Restaurant Siena Ristorante Snack Bar Wink

34th St. Café ALC Steaks Amy’s Ice Cream (all locations) Annies Café & Bar Apothecary Baked By Amy’s Blue Star Cafeteria Café Josie Chuy’s (all locations) El Chile Enchiladas Y Mas Eureka! Fabi + Rosi Galaxy Café (all locations) Hyde Park Bar & Grill (all locations) Lick (all locations) Magnolia Café Ruby’s BBQ on Guadalupe Roppolo’s Pizzeria Santa Rita Tex Mex Cantina (all locations) Top Notch Hamburgers Zocalo Café

We are looking for volunteer restaurant ambassadors! Learn more on pg 4.

WADE DAVIS

Continued from page 1

In 2014, Davis began consulting with the NFL to ensure that LGBTQ athletes have a safe and affirming space. In his role as Executive Director of the You Can Play Project, an organization dedicated to ending discrimination, sexism and homophobia in sports, Davis works to develop curriculum, programming, trainings,and conversations that are focused on inclusion and diversity. The You Can Play Project has partnerships and/or relationships with organizations and leagues including the NFL, NHL, MLB, MLS, WWE and the Canadian Olympic Committee. Davis is currently an Adjunct Professor at the NYU School of Professional Studies Tisch Institute for Sports Management, Media and Business as well as a HeForShe UN Women Ambassador and a U.S. State Department Speaker Specialist. He travels nationally and internationally to address issues of gender, race, sexuality and class in the interest of promoting diversity and inclusion in all levels of amateur and professional sports. He has appeared frequently on MSNBC, BBC, NPR, CNN, ESPN and BET, and his essays and writings have appeared in media outlets including the Los Angeles Times, the Advocate, Huffington Post, the New York Times, the Guardian and the White House Blog.

UPCOMING 2015 EVENTS SEPTEMBER Freddie for a Day

September 4, 2015, 9 PM ABGB National HIV/ AIDS and Aging Awareness day

September 18

Visit r gfo dinin e lif .org

September 14 & 15 Restaurants across Austin

Vis octo it club pus .org /

September 20 3-5 PM | Across Austin 5:30-7:30 PM | Highland Lounge

September 27

Vi aids sit wa aust lk in .org

AIDS Walk Austin

Dining Out for Life

Urbanity

National Gay Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

NOVEMBER

OCTOBER

November 8 Republic Square Park Register, form a team, or donate online!

Kinky Boots

Visit n sti asau / .org s nt eve

November 10 Buy your tickets online with our benefit code!

Vamp

October 31 TBD

National Latino AIDS Awareness Day October 15

Dental Clinic Open House October 9, ribbon cutting 11 AM| open house and tour 11:30 AM

DECEMBER Painting with a Purpose benefiting ASA

December 13 1401 S I-35, Ste. 140, Round Rock

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! ASA currently has over 300 volunteers. However, we need you to grow that number so that we can expand programs critical to our clients and build new programs to meet the evolving needs of our community. Our impact can grow exponentially, and it begins with you! Individuals and groups welcome, so grab a couple of friends, organization members, or loved ones and help create a healthier Austin!

Dining Out for Life September 14 & 15 diningforlife.org

Friendly? Outgoing? Love playing host? We need Restaurant Ambassadors for Dining Out for Life. Enjoy a night out at an Austin restaurant and help diners learn how they are supporting people affected by HIV in Central Texas.

Community Events

Throughout the year Evenings and weekends Help us put on small and large events that engage the community, including galas, luncheons, cocktail parties, and of course AIDS Walk Austin! We especially need volunteers to help us table on the weekends to recruit walkers.

Prevention Team

Once a month regularly Great for groups! Grab some friends, co-workers, or community members and have fun once a month while building prevention kits. Drinks and snacks provided! Here is local organization Austin Prime Timers having a blast making packs.