2012 Annual Report

TREATMENT LITERACY HIV TESTING REFERRALS SYRINGE EXCHANGE COMMITMENT PUBLIC HEALTH COMMUNITY RISK REDUCTION HIV EDUCATION PREVENTION HEALTHY LIVING PROFESSIONAL CLIENT CONFIDENTIALITY 2012 CASE MANAGEMENT SOUTHERN VOLUNTEERING SUPPORTIVE TIER OUTREACH COMPASSIONATE AIDS PREVENTION SERVICES PROGRAM STRENGTHS KNOWLEDGE ANNUAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE REPORT OUTREACH SERVICES AWARENESS CARING INDIVIDUALS DEDICATION

DESIGNED BY OBIRU LABS

FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT & THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

How to measure the success of an organization is an interesting and complicated question.

Most annual reports seek to convince you that the organization in question is successful and accomplishing its mission. Many focus on financial growth, program growth, staff growth, new buildings and other quantifiable measures. We can point to these accomplishments, but are not sure they measure success as we might define it.

Our mission is to prevent new HIV infections and care for those living with HIV. We believe that our success is much more accurately measured by the people involved with STAP. The Southern Tier AIDS Program is successful and accomplishes our mission because our clients and program participants are satisfied with the services, because other organizations seek out our expertise, because volunteers choose to give time, because donors entrust us with their dollars, and because our board gives time, money and expertise.

Without all these groups being fully involved we could not fulfill our mission. We both have lost many friends to this disease and those losses inform every decision that is made here at STAP. The litmus test for any action is will this decision prevent an infection or make life easier for someone living with HIV. For those of you curious about program growth, STAP’s budget grew to over 3.5 million dollars in 2012. We collaborated with AIDS Community Resources on another grant, this time offering nutrition services to our clients. Syringe Exchange Services have expanded to meet increasing needs. We participated in research with the Center for Disease Control and New York State AIDS Institute. We are very proud that direct financial support to clients increased significantly in 2012.

We are looking forward to the challenges and possibilities of 2013. Thank you for your support.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Front: Michael Grasso, Paul Klotzbaugh, and Pam Mischen

Rushanski,

Ralph

Middle: Nancy McGowan, Joyce Allen, Larry Bailey, and Angelo Fiori Back: Jerry Halbert, Jason Pickart, Chris Waters Not Pictured: Jamie Cornell, Anthony Fiala, Kristen Harding, and Melissa Klinko

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The Client Services department works with clients from a strengths-based perspective and provides a variety of supports to HIV positive individuals in our area.

Case management is the core service for individuals with HIV/AIDS. From the young man who has recently been diagnosed HIV positive, to the older woman with AIDS who has just moved to the area, clients benefit from case management in many ways. By linking clients to needed resources, coordinating aspects of their medical care, and evaluating ongoing community and psycho-social needs, case managers increase the quality of life for many clients and improve their medical status.

As individuals are living longer with HIV/AIDS, increased education on health–related topics has become more and more critical. The Medical Advocates offer group and individual sessions, and have a program for clients interested in becoming peers.

They educate all interested clients about medications, treatment options, and concurrent medical conditions.

The Housing Program provides another life changing service to many clients. STAP operates the Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS program in this area. This program provides HUD–funded subsidies to eligible clients.

STAP offers a number of other support services to clients, which help to enrich their lives. These include: an annual Holiday Dinner for clients and their families, assistance with personal hygiene supplies through Robbie's Pantry, the Pets Are a Wonderful Support Program, the Adopt-A-Family Program which helps low income families with special occasions when other resources are not available, and a Client Retreat each summer. The 2012 Journeys Retreat proved to be another successful event with more than 50 clients, coming together for three days and two nights at the beautiful Sky Lake camp.

A new service in the department this year is the Nutrition Health and Education Program. STAP is collaborating with AIDS Community Resources in Syracuse to offer nutrition education services over a 15 county region.

Group and individual education sessions will be offered, as well as nutrition-centered goal planning and food vouchers to eligible participants.

CLIENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT

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CONTRIBUTING TO PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH

While the Southern Tier AIDS Program may be small, we generate big ideas—ideas good enough to gain statewide and national attention.

Early in 2012, STAP was approached by the Cortland County Health Department. Testing and contact tracing had uncovered a cluster of Hepatitis C+ people in Cortland. The infections were primarily a result of injection drug use, and knowing that STAP operates two syringe exchange programs, they asked us to help start a discussion with the community about syringe exchange as a way to stem the tide of Hepatitis C infections in Cortland. We began meeting with community leaders who asked that we do a need assessment to better understand the extent of the problem and how best to intervene.

We planned to survey injection drug users in Cortland and test them for Hepatitis C to determine how it was being transmitted and how many people were infected.

The AIDS Institute’s Hepatitis C unit offered us free HIV & Hepatitis C tests as well as assistance creating the survey. The week after that they informed us that the Hepatitis unit staff from the CDC was interested in the research that we were doing and wanted to contribute to shaping the survey.

Thirty four percent of those tested were positive for Hepatitis C. We established a clear need for syringe exchange services and began to address that need by providing vouchers for syringes at local pharmacies, training a member of the community to distribute safer injection supplies and are working to outfit a syringe exchange van to provide SEP services in Cortland.

Catholic Charities of Albany used the survey with their SEP participants and completed another 100 surveys. The staff at the CDC was so impressed by the collaborative process that made the survey a reality that their staff has proposed it as a model to be emulated nationwide. The data gathered was presented at the National Harm Reduction Conference in 2012 and it is our hope that it will have some impact on policy so that the needs of the rural communities that we represent are not forgotten. It’s nice to know that when people at all levels work together, we can make powerful contributions to public health research and influence decision making.

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PREVENTION SERVICES

During 2012, STAP continued its essential work to prevent HIV in the Southern Tier. The Prevention Services department seeks to educate individuals and the larger community about HIV, Hepatitis C, and other Sexually Transmitted Infections. The diligent work of the Prevention Services staff members ensures general HIV information, safer sex education messages, and prevention resources are all disseminated into our community.

Prevention programs use a variety of curricula and strategies to engage individuals into programs that are relevant to their life experiences. The Prevention Services staff members facilitate groups, conduct oneon-one sessions, give presentations, train peers, as well as offering referral and testing services.

The Prevention Services department started offering a new testing service in 2012; rapid antibody testing for Hepatitis C. This is a very important development, as there were limited testing options in our community prior to this. Additionally, the test takes only 20 minutes and is extremely accurate. This test has allowed us to identify numerous individuals over the course of the year who are Hepatitis C positive and refer them to medical services.

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CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION On February 19th, we recognized those individuals, businesses and organizations in our community that have contributed significantly to STAP’s mission of HIV prevention and assisting those with HIV/AIDS in living healthier lives.

The 2012 Outstanding Community Partners are: DeDe Kupps & Katrina Jerry Dietz & Russ Traunstein (founders of the AIDS Ride for Life) Remlik’s Grille & Oyster Bar

STAP’S ROCK STAR CELEBRITY BARTENDING BASH There was a full-house for the 2012 annual Bartending Bash. Hundreds of people came out to enjoy the festivities and tip their favorite bartenders!

A record-breaking $15,080 was raised.

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Our 5K runners and walkers went the distance— enough total miles to travel from Binghamton to Albany with a couple extra 5Ks thrown in!

Over 50 brave folks gave it their all at Patterson’s Punisher, but 3 gave us their breakfasts—and quite possibly their lunches!

AIDS WALK RUN WITH A TWIST There was something for everyone at this year’s 15th annual AIDS Walk. Whether you were young or old, an avid runner or mild enthusiast, highly competitive or just staying the course, we had you covered, literally.

This year’s event was held in the Greater Binghamton Sports Complex Dome on Airport Road. Not only did we have a new location, but there was also a new twist in the variety of events offered. In addition to the 5K Walk and the 5K Run was the infamous “Patterson’s Punisher” obstacle course. Participants were also given the choice to participate in one, two or all three events, if they were up for the challenge.

Total Raised: $58,164

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520 paws happily joined us for Doggone Fun on the Run with their two-legged humans in tow!

DOGGONE FUN ON THE RUN After three years of rain, we decided to move the Doggone Fun on the Run to the Dog Days of Summer.

This year’s event took place on July 21st. It was a beautiful sunny day and hundreds of supporters came out to partake in the fun.

Total Raised: $18,312 That’s a 67% increase from the previous year!

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M

F

Gender Distribution Among STAP Clients 60% 40%

Male Female

TEA DANCE On August 26th, Amici Pub & Pizzeria, located at 126½ Henry Street, held a benefit for the AIDS Ride for Life, Binghamton’s First, dare I say not last, Tea Dance.

Total Raised: $2,174

MISS RICHFIELD 1981 Only with the generous sponsorship of Remlik's Grille & Oyster Bar, STAP was able to bring Miss Richfield 1981 back to Binghamton on September 23rd to perform her latest show, "2012: We’ll All be Dead by Christmas."

Miss Richfield 1981 is played by character actor, Russ King. Funds go toward the 2013 AIDS Walk Run with a Twist. Remlik’s has offered, once again, to sponsor Miss Richfield 1981 in 2013.

Total Raised: $5,756

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Our incredible riders pedalled well over 20,000 miles—enough miles for 4 round trips from Binghamton to San Francisco, and then some!

AIDS RIDE FOR LIFE The 14th annual AIDS Ride was held on September 15th in Ithaca. Nearly 400 riders rode the 100 mile distance around beautiful Cayuga Lake with 300 volunteers assisting at 2 parks and 6 pit stops. A fabulous dinner and recognition ceremony at Stewart Park completed the day’s event. Funds go to STAP programs and services!

The planning committee is already working on Ride 15 scheduled for September 7, 2013!

Check it out at www.aidsrideforlife.org Thank you riders and sponsors!

Total raised $251,817

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AIDS

HIV+ A

HIV+ S

Disease Classification Among STAP Clients 48% AIDS 39% HIV+ Asymtomatic 13% HIV+ Symptomatic

HAIR WARZ On December 2nd, STAP held the 2nd annual Hair Warz event at the Riverwalk Hotel & Conference Center. Hair Warz is a fantasy hair competition that had 16 local salons developing creative, over-the-top hair and make-up reflecting the theme of their choice.

We sold out over 700 available seats!

Winner: David Scott Salon Total Raised: $16,575

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Back in 2009, I came to need a visit from someone, anyone from STAP. I was about to be released from a month long hospital stay and I still did not know that I was diagnosed with AIDS or what was to come.

At that point I was told by hospital physicians that they had taken blood for two HIV tests, inconclusive results: “Still not back—we sent them out.” I was finally given the results of my HIV test in the hospital by a case manager from STAP. During the initial meeting I told her what I knew and I think my first question was, “Do I have it ?”, but inside I already knew the answer. She took great care in explaining “the numbers” before she revealed my results. Great care was needed since she was about to tell me that I had AIDS and only 14 T-cells. Oh yeah, I would have died if the medicine didn’t work fast enough when I arrived at the hospital.

Right there in my hospital room she came up with a plan to help me—starting with getting me a local HIV doctor. After I returned home, she was there sitting with me at my dining room table teaching me about my medicines, my HIV getting & staying healthy. She helped me with every aspect of the new journey I was about to embark on, from finding a trusted pharmacist and helping me with the endless piles of paperwork that needed to be filled out. The medicines and doctors saved my life and now STAP was saving my mind and later my soul.

Now, 4 years later, I am such a different and stronger person. I no longer carry the burden of HIV. I, like many others, have turned our burden into a blessing and I have found strength I never knew I had. You develop a new appreciation for life & relationships that can only happen when you face death head on and refuse to let it win—at least for now.

We all fight HIV/AIDS on our own and because of STAP, we have a team standing beside us. We are not alone!

A LETTER FROM WILL

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VOLUNTEERS

In 2012, the volunteers of Southern Tier AIDS Program showed up at our offices, our events, at client homes, at client retreats, local department stores, around our conference room tables, at our board meetings and on college campuses, to support all our efforts. They gave 7,800 hours at a value of $215,000. We know that behind all good programs and agencies there is a pulse of hard working volunteers. Our hats are off to you, volunteers!

If you would like to be a volunteer at STAP or complete an internship with us, feel free to contact Candace Phelan by calling 607.798.1706 ext.225 or by emailing cphelan@stapinc.org.

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= $25,000

PUBLIC SUPPORT

GRANTS AND PROGRAM SERVICE REVENUE

366,644 Donations and Fundraising

1,924,500 NYS AIDS Institute

366,644 Total Public support

3,191,081 Total Grants

207,102 Ryan White Title II

204,601 Center for Disease Control

PROGRAM AND SUPPORT SERVICES

1,097,417 Client Services

1,297,323 Education/Prevention Services

REVENUE 54% 23% 13%

10%

NYS AIDS Institute Other State/Federal Grants Comprehensive Medicaid Case Management Public Support/Donations

315,209 Direct Financial Assistance to Clients

FINANCIAL REPORT

181,829 Housing Opportunities/ People with AIDS

149,708 Broome County Mental Health

450,560 Comprehensive Medicaid Case Management

72,781 Other Grants or Revenue

3,557,725 Total Support and Revenue

452,348 Administration/ General Operations

220,052 Development

67,140 Volunteer and Other Services 3,449,489 Total Expenses

EXPENDITURES 81% 13% 6%

Program Services Management & General Development

CORPORATE SUPPORT

3i Graphics & Signs A&A Beauty Supply & Salon Design Acacia Lifestyle Salon Spa Agava America's Attic Amici Animal Care Council Anthony Brunelli Gallery At-L-Ya Studio BAE Beet-N-Path Belknap Lumber, Inc. BingSpot Binghamton Riverwalk Hotel & Conference Center Brooklyn Fire Fighters Hall of Fame BoatYard Grill Borg Warner Boscov's Broome–Tioga BOCES Bunn Hill Photo Burns Sisters Band Butcher Boy C.S.P. Management Cachet Beauty Salon Camelot Jewelers Candace Design Cayuga Medical Center Cayuga Radio Group Cayuga Ski and Cyclery Chenango County Council of The Arts Chenango Water Cider Mill PlayHouse Cold Water Creek Colour an Inspired Salon Conti Jewelers Corner Store Catering Service Corning Courtyard Gifts

David Scott Salon

Leather Bound

Starbucks

Delhi College Golf Course

Les Beaux Gens

Student Assembly of Broome

Don's Auto Parts

Loreal

Community College

Ellis Brothers Furniture

Lori Ashley Salon

Studio 271

ESPN Radio

Lost Dog Cafe

Sugar Mountain

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield

Lowe's

Target

Finger Lakes School of Massage

M&T Bank

Terry Burke Sound & Lighting

First Congregational Church

Maguire Family of Dealerships

The Anderson Center

First Niagara

Mark Anthony Salon

The Baseball Hall of Fame and

Friends & Co. Hair Salon

Mega Moose Ice Cream

Museum

Frito–Lay

Michael Libous Salon

The Beveled Edge

Full Belly Deli

Mighty Yoga

The Broadway Theatre League

Garland Gallery

Morgan Stanley

The Cider Mill Play House

Gimme Coffee

Ms. Judy's Hair Plus

The Drum Zone

Glimmerglass Festival

Myrph's Dog Training

The Magic Paintbrush Project

Goldwell New York

Nezuntoz Café

The Pharmacy

Greater Binghamton Sports

Nick's Hair Design

The Spa at Traditions

Complex

NYC DEP

The UPS Store - Vestal

Hair and Beyond

Obiru Labs

The Vitamin Shoppe

Hair It Is

Old World Deli

Tompkins County Amateur

Hair Studio 307

One Next Generation Condoms

Radio Club

Health Beat

Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital

Tompkins County Trust Company

Hypnosis for Healing

Outback Steakhouse

Training for Life Systems

Italian Deli

Pastor Joyce Allen

Trumansburg Rotary Club

Iron Design, Inc.

Patrick J. Cleary Designs

UHS

Ithaca Bakery/Collegetown Bagels

PETCO Foundation

Upstate Office Furniture

Ithaca Cayuga Optical Service

Binghamton Philharmonic

Uptown Style and Spa

Ithaca Coffee

Plato's Closet

Van Zandbergen Photography

J&K Plumbing

Price Chopper

Visions Federal Credit Union

Java Joes

Prima Classa Salon

WBNG TV 12

JC Penny

Q106.7 FM Radio

Wendy's

JetAway Travel

RASA Spa

White Rose Day Spa and Hair

JLP Hair Design, LLC

Remlik's Grille & Oyster Bar

Design

John Burns Reality

Road I.D.

Wright Fitness & Cycling

John Wells Catering

Roberson Museum

WVBR Radio

Jones Humdinger

S.P.E.A.K. Animal Hospital

YMCA

Just Desserts

Sarah's Patisserie

Zales Jewelers

Lama Real Estate

Short Stop Deli

Laughing Moss Glass Studio

Sip of Seattle

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RARE AND THOSE WHO ARE

H IV + L EA D H EA LT H Y L IVES . WE C U LT I VAT E I N D I V I D U A L A N D

COMMUNITY STRENGTHS TO IM P R OV E T H E P U B L IC H EALTH .

W W W. S TA P I N C . O R G

SERVING BROOME, CHEMUNG, CHENANGO, CORTLAND, D E L AWA R E , O T S E G O , T I O G A & T O M P K I N S C O U N T I E S