STAP Fall Newsletter

positive focus Fall 2012

www.stapinc.org

Serving Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Tioga & Tompkins Counties

A LETTER FROM

the executive director

I WAS NOT ABLE TO RIDE IN THE AIDS RIDE FOR LIFE THIS YEAR Trying to defy both my age and any sort of common sense, I

time to make the event successful. Given that about 380 riders

strained something I needed to ride by pushing around

were on the road, that means there is at least one volunteer for

wheelbarrows of rocks and building rock walls. This put a

every two riders. No wonder I always feel so spoiled and catered

serious crimp in my training and sidelined me for this year.

to when riding. Without taking anything away from the staff

Aging is required. Becoming smarter, not so much.

and the Ride Committee who organize the AIDS Ride for Life, this level of community support assures that every rider feels

I am healing and will ride next year. The good news is that this

like a king of the road for at least one day.

afforded me the opportunity to work as a volunteer on this year’s ride. I am not going to lie to you, it was serious work and

I also had the chance throughout the day to speak with

I loved it. I drove bikes from Stewart Park to Seneca Falls,

volunteers about their experience. Every single one of them

chased down lost riders, helped keep the condiment table

told me what a great time they were having and that they would

clean at dinner and squeezed in a few Executive Director duties

be back next year. We believe in having fun here at STAP while

here and there. The amazing thing was as I viewed the ride

doing good work.

through this volunteer lens, I realized anew how many people volunteer to make the ride as great an experience as it is for

Please join us next September 7th for the ride. Whether as a

the riders and how hard they work. As I rode up and down the

rider or volunteer, we would love to see you there. And if you

lake I saw my fellow volunteers everywhere, at the pit stops, on

want to volunteer sooner feel free to call Candace. She will find

motorcycles, giving massages, directing riders on the route,

something fun for you to do, I promise.

performing (The Burns Sisters were awesome) and repairing flats.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We truly could not do it without you.

I found out later when I shared my enhanced appreciation for our ride day volunteers with our incredible volunteer coordinator, Candace Phelan, that over 300 people gave their

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—John Barry, Exective Director

SOUTHERN TIER AIDS PROGRAM

SOUTHERN TIER AIDS PROGRAM

Hotline (800) 333-0892

122 Baldwin Street

Phone (607) 798-1706

Johnson City, New York 13790

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ADMINISTRATION

Paul Rushanski President Jamie Cornell Vice President Michael Grasso Treasurer Ralph Klotzbaugh Secretary Jerry Halbert Member-at-Large Joyce Allen Larry Bailey Anthony Fiala, Jr. Angelo Fiori Kristen Harding Nancy McGowan Pamela Mischen Jason Pickart Chris Waters Melissa Klinko

John Barry Executive Director Michelle McElroy Director of Programs Mary Kaminsky Director of Development Julie Kerr Director of Finance Joseph Caminiti Director of Information Systems Jackie Centerwall Director of Operations Candace Phelan Volunteer Coordinator Cynthia Rotella Events Coordinator Anne Baron Fiscal Assistant Ginny Miller Program Assistant Glenda Oliver Receptionist Katrina Roehrig Human Resources Administrator Jeffrey Pryor Prison Reentry Coordinator

CLIENT SERVICES

PREVENTION SERVICES

Stacy Nickerson Client Services | Medical Advocacy Coordinator Jean Wilson Assistant Director of Client Services Andrea Pinney Housing Coordinator Michael Leahey Housing Specialist Jennifer McKenzie Housing Specialist Autumn Cook Medical Advocate Kristina Hagen Client Services Data Specialist Gry Bente-Johansen Case Manager Chemung Elke Meyer Case Manager Chemung Michele Rosplock Case Manager Tech Chemung Alisa Reynolds Case Manager Broome Lisa Moore Case Manager Broome Elizabeth McDonald Case Manager Broome Cassandra Aikman Case Manager Tompkins Beth Pittman Case Manager Tech Timothy Giordani Case Manager Tech Eric Krohn Nutrition Educator

Cathy Sostre Assistant Director of Prevention Services Joe Barnett Assistant Director of Prevention Services Terri Shields Substance Use Outreach Coordinator Hanna Weiss Substance Use Outreach Coordinator Paige Walker LGBT Program Coordinator Jeff Dunlap LGBT Youth Educator Kernalia Andrews Women’s Outreach Coordinator Claudia Miller Women’s Services Educator Simone Cornelius Women’s Services Data Assistant Lillian Fan Harm Reduction Coordinator Thomas Womelsdorf Harm Reduction Specialist Katie Johnson Harm Reduction Specialist Jesse Natishak Harm Reduction Technician Laura Katz Harm Reduction Technician Bryan Cook Criminal Justice Prevention Specialist Stephen Gleason Mpowerment Specialist Noah Cooper Mpowerment Specialist Eric Kovatchitch Testing & Referral Specialist www.stapinc.org

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recent events

2012 AIDS ride for life

thankyou “NEVER DOUBT THAT A SMALL GROUP OF COMMITTED CITIZENS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD” —MARGARET MEAD

235,000 DOLLARS RAISED (AND COUNTING!)

800 WONDERFULLY AWESOME PARTICIPANTS We are now on the other side of the 2012 AIDS Ride For Life.

Thank you to our many Hero Sponsors who didn’t bat an eye

And thank you to the ARFL staff Heroes—Lindsey Hadlock,

It’s almost surreal. Yet the excitement is still in the air in the

when they wrote a check to help pay Ride expenses.

Ride Assistant and Ginny Miller, dedicated STAP Program

aftermath at the Ithaca office as we store gear, take inventory

Assistant and Pit Stop Coordinator for their absolute,

and count the thousands of dollars in donations that resulted

Thank you to our wonderful, cheerful hard working volunteers

unwavering focus and dedication to the mission of the

from the Ride. We cannot seem to stop talking about the nearly

who were located all around Cayuga Lake.

Ride.

Thank you to our Hero Founders, Jerry Dietz & Russ Traunstein,

It certainly takes a village.

400 registered Riders, the $235,000 and counting raised, the 300+ volunteers who marshaled, decorated, fed and cheered our Riders as they crossed the finished line at Cass Park. How do you begin to thank the nearly 800 people who participated in large and small and very great ways to make this year such a success?

Thank you so very much to our wonderful, dedicated Hero Riders, who went the distance. YOU made this all happen.

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400 ASTOUNDINGLY BRAVE REGISTERED RIDERS

who had the foresight to see the need 14 years ago.

Thank you to our fabulous ARFL dedicated committee Heroes— Adam Brumberg,

Patty Clark, Autumn Cook, Emily Cowen

and Randi Quackenbush for their unwavering enthusiasm and commitment.

— Cindy Rotella, Very Proud Ride Coordinator

300 PLUS AMAZINGLY DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS

www.stapinc.org

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THE 10TH ANNUAL

doggone fun

ON THE

sponsors

run

After three years of rain, we decided to move the Doggone Fun

the NYS DEC, Outback Steakhouse, Frito-Lay and Starbucks.

Lastly, some advice from our furry friends:

on the Run to the Dog Days of Summer. This year’s event took

Both Remlik’s Grille & Oyster Bar and Amici’s Pub & Pizzeria

place on July 21st. It was a beautiful sunny day and hundreds of

provided treats for our canine friends. Thanks to the support of

Follow your instincts. Avoid biting when a growl will do. Enjoy

supporters came out to partake in the fun. We added some new

our community we raised a record-breaking $18,000!

the simple pleasures of a walk. Be loyal, faithful and quick to forgive. Sometimes it is best to just sit close and listen. Keep

features this year: a misting station to keep everyone cool and One hundred percent of the funds raised goes to support the

digging until you find what you want. Accept all of life’s treats

PAWS (Pets are Wonderful Support) Program at STAP. The PAWS

with gratitude. Life is short, pet often. Ran and play daily. And

Of course, back by popular demand, was Musical Mats, Doggie

program offers HIV+ people practical support in an effort to

love unconditionally.

DaVinci’s, Myrph’s Dog Training, Officer Pam Kilpatrick with

keep the love and companionship of their pets.

ice cream from Jones Humdinger.

PRESENTING SPONSOR | PETCO FOUNDATION

EXCELLUS BCBS UHS VISIONS AMICI’S PUB & PIZZERIA PRICE CHOPPER OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE STARBUCKS FRITO-LAY NYS DEC MYRPH’S DOG TRAINING THE MAGIC PAINTBRUSH PROJECT REMLIK’S GRILLE & OYSTER BAR WBNG TV Q106.7 S.P.E.A.K. ANIMAL HOSPITAL (SPECIAL THANKS TO DR. MINDY) PASTOR JOYCE ALLEN JONES HUMDINGER

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www.stapinc.org

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Uptown Style & Spa

White Rose Day Spa & Hair Salon /

Prima Classa Salon / The Spa at Traditions /

Nick’s Hair Design / Patrick J. Cleary Designs /

Lori Ashley Salon / Ms. Judy’s Hair Plus /

Hair It Is / Hair Studio 307 / JLP Hair Designs /

Friends & Company / Hair & Beyond /

Colour: An Inspired Salon / David Scott Salon /

Acacia Aveda / At-l-ya Studio /

PARTICIPATING SALONS

www.stapinc.org / 607.798.1706

122 Baldwin Street, Johnson City NY

Also available from STAP

Available from Participating Salons

TICKETS / $15 EACH

225 Water Street, Binghamton NY

The Binghamton Riverwalk Hotel

Doors open at 2PM

SUNDAY / DECEMBER 2, 2012

2012 tea dance

Miss richfield 1981

On August 26th, Amici Pub & Pizzeria, located at 126½ Henry

Special thanks to Amici owner Dan DiRienzo with manager

Only with the generous sponsorship of Remlik’s Grille &

You never knew who she would pick out of the audience to

Street, held a benefit for the AIDS Ride for Life, Binghamton’s

Shane Rosenthal & staff, Michael Libous and Tony Fiala, who

Oyster Bar, STAP was able to bring Miss Richfield 1981 back to

interview or assist her, which left everyone squirming in

First, dare I say not last, Tea Dance.

worked tirelessly to create Binghamton’s biggest outdoor dance

Binghamton on September 23rd to perform her latest show,

their seats. She had the audience singing along to their own

party. There was a wide variety of dance music from today’s

“2012: We’ll All be Dead by Christmas.” Miss Richfield 1981

predicted demise and left us informed on what to wear and

Tea Dances began at the legendary waterfront landmark,

hits, to the solid gold songs from the 70’s and 80’s, a signature

(played by Russ King) created her show based on the apocalypse

how to prepare for The Rapture. Her show was followed by a

The Boatslip Resort in Provincetown, MA. Back in the 60s,

drink, photo booth and plenty of good friends.

predicted by the Mayan calendar, which states life will cease on

fabulous after-party at Remlik’s.

the Boatslip was owned by a British gentleman, named Peter

December 21st.

Ryder. He wanted to create a daily party and decided that

Good times, good friends, great food and breaking out the

We are delighted to tell you that Remlik’s has generously, once

since everyone else was open at night, and since there was

dance moves resulted in $2,200 to support the AIDS Ride for

The show began with the fabulous singer and celebrity illusionist,

again, offered to sponsor Miss Richfield 1981 so she will be back

really no competition in the afternoons, and he already had a

Life. Thank you, Amici Pub & Pizzeria, we truly appreciate your

Lee Byar. Lee delighted the crowd with his performance of Judy

in 2013. We can’t wait!

good following at the pool and beach bars, that he would start a

support!

Garland’s rendition of “Smile”. Then Miss Richfield 1981 began

dance party, at British tea time, and call it Tea Dance. The idea

her one hour show dressed as a cactus. The audience was in

caught on, and now tea dances are held nationwide, mainly in

stiches from beginning to end.

beach resort towns.

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www.stapinc.org

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giving

Holiday dinner

IVE

ga d akin m goo d in d in e e t s s e or u nter no n be i (new s d l , or e t u ar y z r i o o r pp ct M rp uw u a o o s t o y l n d If ncia e co n of fina leas atio , p ) n r , o s e d od ord y fo king lida o wor h ble isha : per y at insk m a K org inc. p a t s sky@ min a k m 229 xt. e 6 0 8-17 ) 79 7 0 (6

OG WT O H

A MESSAGE FROM

FIrst Congregational church

Hello to all of our friends, supporters, and community members!

meal is an opportunity for clients to bring their families and

We took on the challenge to raise money and supplies for the

welcome here. Worship services begin at 10 am. We also offer

As you may remember, it is nearly that time of year for the

come together as a large group. Many clients only see each

month of September from our church, First Congregational

a lot of other activities, such as every Monday from 6 to 8 pm,

annual Client Holiday Dinner. This event is held every Fall just

other at this annual event, and are able to reconnect with one

Church, corner of Front and Main streets in Binghamton, the

Heart Centered Living meets. Explore, Share & Experience

before Thanksgiving, and involves clients from our entire eight

another and share their stories from over the past year.

one where the bell is. Now we would like to challenge all of

different avenues of spiritual expression. Discover ways to heal

you to come check us out.

yourself, help the planet & expand our vision of community

county service region.

In addition, many clients receive door prizes and food

together. www.heart-centered-living.org or stopping in for food

This event takes weeks of planning and preparation, as it is

baskets, which they can take home and use to remember this

We raised $275 for Robbie’s Pantry, along with supplies from

at our CHOW pantry. It is our goal to be a place the community

done by STAP staff members for STAP clients. As part of this

heartwarming event or prepare their own holiday dinners.

the congregation. We are a United Church of Christ church,

can call home.

endeavor, agency employees and volunteers donate items and

LGBT affirming, we have open doors, open minds, and no

their time to make and serve a “traditional” holiday meal. This

matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you’re

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Visit us online at www.uccbinghamton.org www.stapinc.org

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thanks

our VOLUNTEERs

remember ing kellie

“Volunteers don’t just do the work—they make it work.” —Carol

together packets of information and safety packets, answering

This past June, STAP lost one of our strongest supporters, Kellie

We told her about our PAWS program and ever since, PETCO

Pettit

our telephones, as well as help get the word out about what

Corcoran Barbour. We first met Kellie when PETCO came to

has been, by far, the program’s greatest asset. With Kellie’s

we do at STAP.

Johnson City. The PETCO store in Elmira had been a goodie-bag

initiative and the support of all the PETCO staff, PETCO went

No truer words have been spoken. We at Southern Tier AIDS

sponsor for the Doggone Fun on the Run and we were delighted

from being a goodie-bag sponsor to the presenting sponsor of

Progra, Inc. have proof of that statement. If you participated

Thank you all so much for making our work lighter and getting

to hear they were coming to Johnson City. As soon as they were

the Doggone Fun on the Run. Kellie taught us our two favorite

in our recent AIDS RIDE FOR LIFE, you would have witnessed

the job done.

open, we made our way over to the store and met the manager,

lines— “Manager’s Choice” and “Come to the back room!”

a wonderful, well organized and seamless day. It was due to

Kellie Corcoran.

the magnificent people who volunteered at the committee

Southern Tier AIDS Program, Inc. is happy to announce that

We remember the day Kellie called and asked us to stop in,

meetings, the days leading up to the event, the day of the

we received a $750 grant for Robbie’s Pantry from the Ithaca

stating that she had some items that were Manager’s Choice.

event, at the pit stops, at the parks, cheering, giving massages,

Rotary Club. With this money, we will be able to help those

When we went over we saw the most adorable costumes you

checking on the wonderful riders, etc.

living with HIV/AIDS receive toiletries that they might otherwise

had ever seen—fabulously detailed but they sold for about

go without. Thank you, Ithaca Rotary!

twenty to thirty dollars each. We gave her a look that said

On the Day of Caring, the United Way sent terrific volunteers

“cute,” but we can’t afford these and she said, “Never mind,

that painted the interior of our Johnson City office. Every day,

they are Manager’s Choice.” We filled two carts full! Our

wonderful people make our days easier in our offices by putting

hearts pounded a bit when the register tape began to roll onto the floor. Then the grand total was just $19.10! Due to this donation, the raffle table raised enough money to keep

ER our NT E ith U w L p l VO tact , he TO con teer n e W u s l o lea HO at: to v t, p , n like ator eve rdin an ould o t w o a C ou elp teer If y or h olun , V y , r t n pan hela ce P a d Can g c.or apin t s @ elan cph 225 xt. e 6 0 8-17 ) 79 7 0 6 (

two clients on the PAWS program for an entire year—a number that has increased each year thanks to PETCO. Another time she called stating she had some items for us.

“Come to the back room.” It was like Christmas! Dog food, cat food, toys, all sorts of items for our clients to have for their pets and all for free.

PETCO and the PETCO Foundation have been instrumental in expanding our PAWS program. Kellie was a huge supporter of STAP and she became a very dear friend to us all. We were heartbroken to hear of her passing. She was a true animal lover and her generosity made a wonderful difference in the lives of our clients and their pets. She will remain in our hearts forever.

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www.stapinc.org

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Southern Tier AIDS Program, Inc. 122 Baldwin Street Johnson City, NY 13790

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Albany, NY PERMIT # 164 ZIP CODE 12205

Fall 2012

STAP

is serving more men, women, and children than ever in our nearly 30 years of providing services. Say “I care” by sending your gift today. Your generosity makes a difference!

Yes! I can help the Southern Tier AIDS Program continue to provide services for people living with HIV/AIDS and provide prevention services to help reduce the rate of HIV infection in the Southern Tier. Enclosed is my tax-deductible donation of:

❑ $25

❑ $50

❑ $100

❑ $250

❑ Other: $_________

Checks should be made payable to:

STAP, 122 Baldwin St., Johnson City, NY 13790 Please charge my donation to my:

❑ Visa

❑ Mastercard

Name:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

CC#: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Address:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Exp. Date: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

______________________ __________________

Signature:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

friends who care