Executive Director John Barry, LMSW
2020 was a good year. No really, it was. You could not find a better tool to ferret out who are the glass half full folks among your friends. (Quietly raises hand) 2020 is the year that we found out that the services we provide are essential. We knew that already in our hearts, but it is always nice to have one's suspicions and worth confirmed. Our friends, volunteers and donors continued their support unabated and in many cases even increased their contributions.
We learned how creative we could be when we wanted to limit the spread of a highly transmissible virus, but still needed to provide a high quality service. We learned that masks work, because almost none of us had a cold or the flu this year and most of us were fortunate enough to avoid COVID-19 infection. We learned about our personal limits and how to care for ourselves when we inevitably surpassed even our own expectations. We learned how very much we need and miss the company of our friends and colleagues. We learned how deeply we can miss a hug and a kiss from friends and family. We learned that our pets really are essential. We learned how much we missed travel, concerts, games, holiday get togethers and eating out. Think how much more we will relish these experiences when we are allowed to return to them again.
The most important lesson that we have carried away from 2020 is the critical importance of public health organizations in helping us to rise to the challenges of emerging diseases like COVID-19.
We had time at home to read books, watch a movie, paint a room, talk with family and to explore the quiet corners of our own minds. We learned things about ourselves and the world that have changed us, mostly for the better.
The most important lesson that we have carried away from 2020 is the critical importance of public health organizations in helping us to rise to the challenges of emerging diseases like COVID-19. While COVID-19 has dramatically grabbed the headlines, there are many public health crises brewing that can be prevented if we have the foresight and the political will to attend to them. Right now the federal government is discussing a new round of funding for a public health corp. This is sorely needed after the funding cuts and neglect of the last 40 years and I am heartened that this has been recognized and is being addressed. This change will lead to decreased disease, decreased health care costs and certainly decreased human suffering. The Southern Tier AIDS Program is first and foremost a public health agency. We were created as a response to HIV/AIDS. As a bedrock component of the state's public health infrastructure organizations like STAP work in EVERY county in New York State. As the outlook for people living with AIDS has gotten better these organizations have been tasked with also addressing sexually transmitted diseases, Hepatitis C, substance use, drug user health, health care coordination and other emerging needs. We stand ready to take on whatever comes next. Thank you for your continued support and I look forward to seeing you all in person in 2021.
175
45
CITIZENS RETURNING TO THE AREA AFTER INCARCERATION PROVIDED
INDIVIDUALS/FAMILIES
CRITICAL TRANSITION SERVICES
PROVIDED WITH MONTHLY HOUSING STIPEND
25,000
100
MASKS DELIVERED TO
ONE WEEK MEAL BOXES
OUR CLIENTS AND THEIR
DELIVERED TO CLIENTS
FAMILIES
1,975
286
INDIVIDUALS SERVED
LIVES SAVED
BY OUR SYRINGE
EXCHANGE PROGRAM
REPORTED OVERDOSE REVERSALS
123
1,000
CITIZENS RETURNING TO THE AREA AFTER INCARCERATION LINKED TO HEPATITIS C TREATMENT
FAMILIES PROVIDED WITH COLD WEATHER CLOTHING/ACCESSORIES PACKAGES (BOOTS, COATS, HATS, GLOVES, SOCKS)
1,121 CLIENTS SERVED BY OUR HEALTH HOMES CARE COORDINATIONPROGRAM
1,592 INDIVIDUALS/FAMILIES SERVED BY OUR FOOD PANTRY
23
8,558
CITIZENS RETURNING TO THE AREA AFTER INCARCERATION LINKED TO HIV TREATMENT
FOLLOWERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
$560,995
$385,842
DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
In Donations and Fundraising
TO CLIENTS
FI-
Meeting the evolving public health needs of our region since 1984.
STAP Main Office 22 Riverside Drive Binghamton, New York 13905 Hotline: (800)333-0892 Phone: (607)798-1706 Fax: (607)798-1977