ASA Winter/Spring Newsletter

winter/spring 2019 newsletter

Event Calender pg. 7

HCRA

Celebrates years! pg. 5 NewBoardMembers pg. 11

Amplify Austin Returns!

#AmplifyASA www.amplifyatx.org

I Live Here I Give Here’s (ILHIGH) Amplify Austin Day returns February 28th through March 1st, giving Austin’s philanthropic community opportunities to amplify their social impact in the city they love with nonprofits making a difference. This year the St. David’s Foundation will again offer matching funds to partner organizations making Austin a healthier community, such as AIDS Services of Austin.

Donate or schedule your gift at www.amplifyatx.org and help ASA amplify our impact in Central Texas!

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contents Thanks to ASA clients for sharing their stories at ASA’s 2019 Building Healthy Futures Luncheon!

mission The mission of AIDS Services of Austin is to enhance the health and well-being of the community and people affected by HIV and AIDS.

vision John

AIDS Services of Austin envisions an empowered community committed to healthier lives, free from

Dominic

stigma, for people affected by HIV and AIDS.

core values Adaptability • Collaboration • Diversity • Integrity • Respect

what’s inside CEO Letter

3

Amplify Austin

4

Hill Country Ride for AIDS

5

Program Highlights

6

Events Calender

8

Community Support

10

Thank you

11-12

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ceo letter Life-Affirming Care Over the past year, AIDS Services of Austin (ASA) has worked to expand access to life-affirming medical care, free HIV/STI testing services, and PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis). The purpose of our expansion is to compassionately address the increase in demand for these services and remove the barriers patients face when accessing care. By offering comprehensive medical care, fully integrating it with direct and social support services, we are providing a truly patient-centered environment and allowing clients to receive care in a dignified and judgment free space. When someone walks through the doors of ASA they are never treated as a symptom, statistic, or diagnosis. They are embraced and recognized as an individual and their unique care plan is made with them, and for them.

I was fortunate enough to attend the 2018 National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care and Treatment this past December and saw firsthand how ASA’s care and prevention work stacks up alongside fellow AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) throughout the county. At each session, it became more apparent that ASA is a leader within both the local and national ASO community. With ASA’s Moody Medical Clinic and our leadership efforts in the Fast Track Cities initiative, ASA is excelling at linking people into care quickly, helping clients remain engaged in their care, and broadening access to proven prevention tools like PrEP and safer sex supplies as we work towards a transmission free generation. We are doing amazing work at ASA, and your continued investment is making it all possible.

This spring, ASA’s Board of Directors and staff are working to determine our strategic vision and goals over the next few years. As we move through this process, I am inspired by the innovative thought and passionate commitment visible each and every day; from front line staff, to our managers and organizational leaders, and our dedicated volunteers and supporters. We anticipate finalizing and sharing this updated strategic plan with you later this year.

As we continue to meet the needs of our clients and the community, we are finding new ways to engage vulnerable, disproportionately impacted communities with unique programs like Food Bank Mobile Delivery and “La Q,” an expansion of The Q Austin focusing entirely on monolingual Spanish speakers.

We are rebranding our Prevention Department as ASA’s “Health Promotion Department” to better reflect our approach to meeting and embracing people where they are in our outreach, testing, education, and early intervention services. Our model is to provide integrated, patient-centered care, and support individuals in building healthier futures for themselves and their partners.

ASA continues to fight stigma and invest in programs and services that will ensure a transmission free generation. We are increasing efforts to provide PrEP and housing assistance to individuals at the highest risk of HIV transmission, in hopes they will never test positive. At the same time, we are investing in programs to make sure that long after new transmissions have ended, our friends, neighbors, and loved ones already living with HIV are never forgotten and always have access to our comprehensive life-affirming care.

It is our responsibility to refuse complacency and honor our long-term survivors and the memory of loved ones we’ve lost, as well as, reduce new transmissions to zero.

HIV is not cured, but we have the tools to end the epidemic. I ask you to continue investing in these tools, to invest in a transmission free generation, and to invest in the life-affirming work of ASA.

Paul E. Scott

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amplify austin Amplify Austin Day Returns February 28 Through March 1 Presented by I Live Here I Give Here (ILHIGH), Amplify Austin is a 24-hour fundraising period focused on raising critical funds for 700+ nonprofits in Central Texas and is entering its 7th year. It kicks off on February 28 at 6pm. ASA will join with ILHIGH and hundreds of Austin nonprofits with the combined goal of raising over $10 million dollars for the community.

Your investment in ASA provides life-affirming care to thousands of Central Texans affected by HIV. Last year supporters just like you helped ASA raise over $150,000 in just 24 hours!

This year the St. David’s Foundation will again offer matching dollars to funds given to ASA! We are looking to break $200,000 this year with your continued support, allowing ASA to offer even more clients necessary assistance with navigating complexities of health insurance, as well as, providing funds to assist with premiums, copays, and prescriptions.

Amplify Austin is a chance to make your gift go even further. Through the generous support of the St. David’s Foundation, all donations made to ASA through Amplify Austin will receive a matching gift. At a time when public funding cuts to testing and prevention programs are being made at an alarming rate, private donations have never been more important to ending HIV transmissions. We know you chose to invest in ASA because of the impact your gift has on our clients, by renewing your support through Amplify Austin your impact will go even further. Please consider supporting ASA’s programs and services with a generous gift scheduled or made on Amplify Austin Day at www.amplifyatx.org (just search for ASA).

$200k can help 100 clients

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with health insurance assistance for 6 months!

hill country ride for aids The Hill Country Ride Celebrates 20 Years!

As April fast approaches we invite you to dust off your bike, air up them tires, strap on your helmet, and get “on the road again” with The ASA Wheelie Nelsons on April 27th for the 20th annual Hill Country Ride for AIDS (HCRA). Thousands of Central Texans rely on the programs and services of ASA, and the Ride’s nine benefiting agencies, making this the most important ride of someone else’s life.

Your support not only helps clients access medical and dental care, counseling, and social support, but also reaches thousands of people through testing and education programs. These services are essential in helping those at risk learn how to protect themselves, partners, and the community. Between the beautiful scenery of Krause Springs, the themed pit stops, and amazing volunteers supporting the route, this is the best time on two wheels you will ever have.

REGISTER & JOIN ASA’S TEAM “THE WHEELIE NELSONS” at www.hillcountryride.org!

Last year team ASA rolled through the Texas Hill Country complete with matching jerseys, braids, and more support and awareness than ever before.This year the jerseys are back and the Wheelies are ready to get on the road again. We invite you to get involved and roll with us as we celebrate the 20th anniversary Ride and raise funds for the nine beneficiary agencies in Central Texas providing HIV/ AIDS treatment, prevention,and support services!

REGISTER | RIDE | VOLUNTEER | DONATE

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program highlights ASA’s Community Advisory Board (CAB) is back! Currently twelve members of the CAB meet bi-monthly to ensure clients and community stateholders are actively informing ASA’s programs and services. Huge THANK YOU to our staff and community Founding Members who served on the initial steering committee and contributed to establishing the structure and bylaws of the CAB.

Paul E Scott, Susan E. Campion, & CAB Founding Member, Kirby Watson

Leah Graham & CAB Founding Member Charlotte Simms

CAB Founding Member, Kelly Alexander, Susan E. Campion, and Paul E. Scott

I’m a proud CAB member because it is important to always listen to client voices and hear what we have to say about our health & needs. ~ Charlotte Simms.

The re-establishment of ASA’s CAB is a testament to just how much progress has been made since the height of the AIDS epidemic. In the 1990s, ASA had a Client Advisory Board, but lost many members due to frequent deaths from AIDS related complications. Now that living and aging with HIV is the new normal, we are proud to provide a platform for our clients, community members, and program participants to collaborate with ASA on organizational changes, community representation, and ongoing service needs.

Food Bank Mobile Delivery ASA’s Helping Hands Food Bank has developed an incredibly high standard of quality and quantity, which can be a double edged sword for clients without reliable transportation.

Recognizing that some clients often carried 40lbs of groceries with them onto multiple buses to get back home, we have begun offering Food Bank Mobile Delivery. Interested drivers may sign up for delivery shifts by emailing our Volunteer Manager at joseph.breck@asaustin.org.

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holiday program COCObundle ASA’s 2018 Holiday Program was a huge success thanks to overwhelming community support, as well as, strategic partnerships with COCObundle, Meals on Wheels America, and Subaru of America’s Share the Love® Event. 148 low-income food bank clients received holiday gift bundles that included high-quality home goods in addition to their Food Bank groceries in December.

Joseph Breck, Paul Gaines, Taylor Stockett, Lane Strickland, and Heidi Burns.

Food bank volunteer, Ginger Stieber

Our partnership with COCObundle has come completely full circle as Founder, Kelly LaPlante, was a holiday volunteer last year and created an innovative giving platform after seeing firsthand that there was a need for a more streamlined process of meeting client need.

“I stumbled on the idea for COCO while volunteering for ASA and saw that there wasn’t a streamlined approach to the way that item donations are solicited, received, or distributed. As I started talking to people from other organizations, I learned this is an almost universal problem in Clients received the non-profit world holiday gifts! and I realized we could fix it!” said Kelly.

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upcoming events march 1st 10th

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Amplify Austin Feb 28 - March !

april 18th

th

ASA’s Volunteer Appreciation Party

27th

may 18th june 13th

ART EROTICA The Octopus Club’s sexiest fundraiser is back. Hosted by ASA at Springdale General & benefiting the Paul Kirby Emergency Fund.*

The ASA Speaker’s Bureau

19th

23rd

#DineOutATX

27th

*The Octopus Club and Art Erotica Event are being spearheaded

by Billy Brown, Melissa Denning, and Roger Grape and currently recruiting. Contact Christopher Alberts if interested in getting involved by emailing christopher.alberts@asaustin.org.

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save the dates 8/31

Freddie for a Day

Open House Come see how ASA is stepping to zero new HIV infections through life-affirming care!

For more information contact

ASA’s iconic family friendly event returns to the ABGB for a night of live music, lip sync battles, and Freddie Mercury swag.

Lane.Strickland@asaustin.org www.asaustin.org

$10 donation suggested at the door.

9/21 AIDS Walk Austin

Join the AIDS Walk Committee!

ASA is currently recruiting community advocates to make this year’s walk one of the best ever!

AIDS Walk Austin returns to Republic Square for the 32nd year on Saturday, September 21, 2019!

Stay tuned for exciting updates coming to your inbox and social media channels this summer! #AIDSWalkATX

Email ASA’s Special Events Coordinator at mike.trevino@asaustin.org

All dates, times and locations are tentative & subject to change

more details: asaustin.org/events

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community support Eaton Fine Art; Springdale Eaton Fine Art has done it again! Not only have Terry Eaton, Robert Williams, and team designed and curated ASA’s main campus on Cameron Rd, the Jack Sansing Dental Clinic, and Moody Medical Clinic, but also the new Health Promotion Department space at Springdale General.

As ASA clients, patients, and program participants utilize integrated services, they are welcomed by beautiful, vibrant art that welcomes them and creates a warm environment where they may be themselves and receive the care, education, and support to help them live a healthy life and build a healthy future.

Robert Williams, Terry Eaton, Jordan Hourie, Susan E. Campion, and Corey Hilton at the Health Promotion space at Springdale

ASA’s Prevention Department is now the Health Promotion Department!

In an effort to more accurately reflect ASA’s prevention efforts we are rebranding our preventative programs and services. This name change comes at a time when ASA is innovating to meet community needs for additional access to support, care, and preventative tools such as free HIV & STI testing, education, counseling, PrEP/ PEP, social support, early intervention services, and much more! Additionally, ASA’s Health Promotion Department is launching La Q (The Q Austin, but completely in Spanish), Queer Co-working, and a new updated online condom store (coming soon!).

ASA’s Health Promotion Space at Springdale Gnereal

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thank you

Welcome new ASA Board Members:

Community Advocates •

Leonard W. Edwards, II*

Gary Cooper & Richard Hartgrove

•

Terrance Hines, MD

for your generous support of ASA for the past 25 years, and the tireless dedication and committment to the community affected by HIV.

•

Sussann G. Kotara, MD

•

Jerold McDonald

•

Caroline Okocha*

•

Jesús Ortega, LMSW

•

Kirby Watson

2019 Buildidng Healthy Futures Luncheon Honorees

Thank you also to our Luncheon Tri-chairs for their outstanding efforts in making this year’s luncheon a huge success!

Mary Herr Tally

Jermey Guiberteau M.D

* 2019 Board Fellow

Kevin Witcher

Volunteer Spotlight on Wheelie Nelson Co-Captain, Jen Moreno!

Last spring, Jen Moreno jumped on her bike and lead ASA’s HCRA team, The Wheelie Nelsons, alongside employee and cocaptain, Lane Strickland. Together they crossed the finish line and helped the team reach the highest amount ever raised by ASA in support of The Ride’s 9 beneficiary organizations. In a Wheelie amazing effort, Jen helped lead the team into high gear to raise over $65,000. Jen and Lane are co-captains again this year and are trailblazing towards a new goal of $80,000!

Get involved with The Wheelie Nelsons and HCRA by registering and joining the team, volunteering, or donating at www.hillcountryride.org!

Huge thanks to Jen for her volunteerism, passion, leadership, and dedication to the Ride and The Wheelie Nelsons!

Paul E Scott, Lane Strickland, Christopher Alberts, and Jen Moreno

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thank you 2019 Board of Directors

2019 ASA Directors

Piper Stege Nelson, Chair ● Noel Landuyt, Co-chair

Paul E. Scott, CEO ● Susan E. Campion, Chief Programs Officer

● Aisha White, MD, Chair-Elect ● Dan Allen, Treasurer

● Christopher Alberts, Director of Development

● Kevin Haynes, Secretary ● Joah Spearman, Past Chair

● Ericka Hobbs-Session, Director of Finance

● C.K. Chin ● Garrett C. Higley ● Terrance Hines, MD

● Alberto Barragan, Director of Health Promotion

● Sussann G. Kotora, MD ● Jerold McDonald

● Melissa Rios, Director of Access Services

● Kristin Mondy, MD ● Jesús Ortega, LMSW

● Leah Graham, Director of Grant Resources

● Jennifer Sowinski ● Fred Sultan ● Kirby Watson

● Vikki Whorton, Director of Human Resources ● David P. Wright, MD, Director of Medical Services ● Ana Herrera, DNP, RN, FNP-C, Director of Clinical Services

ASA Board of Directors and Staff Directors at 2019 Board Retreat

Thanks for our major 2019 annual sponsors

www.asaustin.org