SUMMER 2012 swhiv.org
EMBRACING
A NEW
BEGINNING $5M DONATION FROM PARSONS FOUNDATION
FOOD, FRIENDS & FUNDRAISING INSIDE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AT SOUTHWEST CENTER POKE KICKS OFF AT PRIDE swhiv.org
SUMMER 2012 | 1
CEO CORNER Dear Friends,
SUMMER 2012 1144 E. McDowell Road Suite 200 Phoenix, AZ 85006 602.307.5330 swhiv.org
FEATUREfacts
I wanted to share exciting news and an invitation for your support, at a historic moment for Southwest Center. In May, Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS announced a $5 million charitable investment from The Parsons Foundation! This is the largest private gift received in our 23-year history, and the announcement was made at our Night For Life gala, ICONIC. Our future community health center, to be located at 1101 North Central Avenue in Phoenix, will be named The Parsons Foundation Center for Health, Education and Wellness. The Parsons Foundation charitable investment includes $3.5 million to support basic facility renovation of our new health center, as well as to provide for operation and program reserve funding. The Parsons Foundation also provided a community challenge match, dollar-for-dollar, up to $1.5 million – and this community challenge will bring in a total of $3 million in new program support! The Parsons Foundation was created by Bob Parsons, founder of Go Daddy, and his wife, Renee. Bob lost two cousins to HIV/AIDS during the early years of the epidemic. Bob and Renee both have heartfelt passion for helping Southwest Center lead the fight against HIV/AIDS. The Parsons Foundation donation could not have arrived at a more urgent and timely moment as our renovation begins and we work diligently to open the facility in early 2013.
Meet Ryan Sheade Inside Behavioral Health pg 4
On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, and clients of Southwest Center, I invite you to participate in this exciting community challenge campaign. (And, we thank those who ALREADY gave a match gift at the gala!) Every dollar counts – and will be matched by The Parsons Foundation on a quarterly basis until the community goal of $1.5 million is reached! Our goal is to raise a total of $3 million by the end of this year to support Southwest Center’s programs and services. Southwest Center appreciates gifts of ALL sizes, including those that name rooms, programs, walkways and meeting room spaces. Please call Mesha Davis, our Chief Development Officer, or me anytime if you are interested in exploring a naming opportunity. Keep in mind – naming opportunities may be able to be created to fit your areas of special interest, capacity and passion!
Food, Friends & Fundraising Dining Out for Life pg 5
And please help us reach out to your family, friends and community groups, including corporations who make matching gifts, to participate in our community challenge. We will keep you apprised as we reach our goal. With deepest thanks and excitement for what’s ahead,
Programs funded in whole or in part by the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, the Ryan Carol A. Poore, Ph.D. White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of President and CEO 2009 and Maricopa County.
Get more of The HIV Factor. Join our e-mail list at swhiv.org I Know Mine. Do You Know Yours?
POKE Kicks Off at PRIDE pg 7
ALSO >
Southwest Center Hosts FDA pg 6 pg 6 Summer Programs pg 8 What’s Happening
swhiv.org 2 | SUMMER 2012
EMBRACING A NEW BEGINNING
$5M Donation from Parsons Foundation A $5 million charitable gift from The Parsons Foundation to name a downtown Phoenix community health center focused on HIV/AIDS prevention, wellness and related research.
include community spaces and a lobby art gallery. “Bob and I hope others will be inspired to help the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS,” Renee Parsons said. “This center is a first of its kind because it brings domestic violence counseling and other emotional support together with medical aid all under one roof. Patients at our new center are going to get some of the best care available anywhere in the U.S.”
The sizable donation was presented to the Southwest Center at the 17th annual Night for Life Gala on May 12 at Montelucia Resort. The Parsons Foundation gift consists of a $3.5 million naming investment as well as a $1.5 million community matching challenge grant to create The Parsons Foundation Center for Health, Education, and Wellness, managed by Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS. The Parsons Foundation donation expedites Southwest Center’s renovation of the facility at 1101 North Central Avenue. The Parsons Foundation donation helps Southwest Center complete the renovation in an accelerated schedule to open in late 2012. The donation will help Southwest Center create Arizona’s largest medical home for HIV/AIDS comprehensive support, featuring a one-stop location with healthcare, clinical trial research, education, and chronic disease wellness programs for underserved men, women, youth and families. The Parsons Foundation Center for Health, Education, and Wellness will be conveniently located near the Metro light rail system, allowing for better access for people who rely on mass transit. The Parsons Foundation was created by Go Daddy Executive Chairman and Founder Bob Parsons and his wife, Renee. “My wife Renee and I created The Parsons Foundation to help others, to make a difference with those less fortunate,” said Parsons. “This exceptional investment made by Renee and Bob Parsons demonstrates their personal commitment to preventing HIV/ AIDS and related diseases – especially for those in our community who do not have access to health education, medical care and wellness support services,” noted Dr. Carol
Bob Parsons is the founder of GoDaddy.com, the world’s largest provider of Web hosting, domain names and new SSL Certificates. Parsons is now Go Daddy’s Executive Chairman, having stepped down as Go Daddy’s CEO last December. He’s also now CEO of Arizona’s largest motorcycle dealership, GoAZ Motorcycles.
Renee and Bob Parsons Poore, President and CEO of Southwest Center. “The Parsons Foundation is joining with Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS to create an international model for fighting HIV/AIDS in a comprehensive way.” The Parsons Foundation donation includes $3.5 million to renovate the center and provide support for prevention, wellness, community outreach and testing programs. The other $1.5 million is part of a community matching incentive challenge. Renee and Bob are inspiring others to donate, by vowing to match other donations up to an additional $1.5 million. The money raised from the incentive donation will help with interior and exterior renovations and will
Support from the Parsons and Go Daddy for Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS dates back to 2010, when Go Daddy donated $500,000 to the organization during its annual holiday party extravaganza. Renee and Bob Parsons presented the check and have since created their own charity organization. The expanded facility will include a stateof-the-art community black box studio for staging health workshops and communitybased presentations, including public performances, First Friday art shows, and other civic meetings.
HAVE YOUR DONATION MATCHED BY THE PARSONS FOUNDATION! Go to swhiv.org/help/donate
Bubbly, Bites & Benefit
Renee Parsons hosted an evening of cocktails, canapés and shopping at Barneys New York Scottsdale Fashion Square in celebration of Southwest Center’s Night for Life ICONIC Gala. Ten percent of the event’s proceeds from sales on April 24 went to Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS.
What’s in Your Bag?
While mingling and browsing the Silent Auction at Night for Life, organized by Southwest Center Board member Bob Platt, guests were dazzled by the stunning showcase featuring a Judith Neuwirth designed necklace from Barneys New York. At the end of the gala, everyone was given a Barneys New York bag with a key in it. One key would open the lockbox to that gorgeous necklace. Marc Reid was the lucky person whose key unlocked the showcase, awarding him that special piece of jewelery.
swhiv.org
Ryan O’Meara and Jack Luciano Night for Life Co-Chairs
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INSIDE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Ryan Sheade A Note From the desk of Clinical Director, Ryan M. Sheade, LCSW I wanted to write a quick note to introduce myself and to talk for a minute on what’s happening in Southwest Center’s Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic (BHOC). About Me My name is Ryan M. Sheade, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I’ve worked in social services here in Maricopa County for about the past thirteen years, and in the beginning of my career I worked as both a clinician and a clinical supervisor in residential services, case management, and in-home services with seriously mentally ill adults. Four years ago I transitioned into HIV/AIDS-specific services and have never looked back, because I felt immediately (and still do today) that I had found my home. I started working with Southwest Center as a contract therapist in September of 2009, transitioning into the Clinical Director position in December of last year. The Clinic So that means I’ve been the Clinical Director here at Southwest Center for about seven months now, and it’s been an exciting and challenging seven months! As soon as I transitioned to Clinical Director, I reached out to Arizona State University – and from building that relationship I re-
cently became certified as a “Field Instructor” for the School of Social Work at ASU. There was quite a demand for internships with us, and although we were initially going to start with only one student intern, ASU asked if we would consider taking on at least one more – to which I agreed.
This is an exciting time for Southwest Center in a number of ways, and it is an equally exciting time within the BHOC!
So beginning in August 2012, we will have two Master of Social Work interns from Arizona State University start with us, giving us sixteen hours a week of their time for the entire school year. This is an exciting time, because while they can certainly help us, we will also be able to teach them and give them practical experience in not only social work, but in HIV/AIDS-specific social work! As the staff of the BHOC, being good clinicians is incredibly important for our clients right now, but I’m excited and hopeful that teaching the next generation of clinicians will have exponential effects on the HIV field.
Ryan M. Sheade, LCSW
Our Amazing Clinical Staff Finally, I just want to mention the amazing work that has been going on with our clinicians, most of whom have been with Southwest Center for a number of years.
With Regards,
rscheade@swhiv.org
CLIENTclose-up My name is Peter Rodriguez. I was born May 5, 1964 in Brooklyn NY. In late 1981, I got sick. I was hearing of friends that were getting sick and dying, with no one knowing why. March 1982, I became sick and was diagnosed with GRID. In 1986 I was back in the hospital. Now they had a name for it - AIDS. Seeing the lack of services in Brooklyn, I started one of the first support groups for HIV/AIDS in Coney Island area. I furthered my outreach by becoming an HIV/AIDS Educator for the Brooklyn AIDS Task Force and safe sex educator for the Hispanic AIDS Forum. A center was needed that people could get to easily, a safe place in their backyard. That was when I started G.L.O.B.E. (Gays and Lesbians of Brooklyn and Everywhere). I was President, from 1990 to 1992 and we organized the first Toys for Tots Drive for kids with HIV/ AIDS.
Five therapists and a psychiatric nurse practitioner work at Southwest Center, and every single one of them helps in the fight against HIV/AIDS every time they step foot in this building. From combating stigma around the virus individually and in groups, to addressing trauma and intimate partner violence, to helping people make significant changes in their lives related to physical health, social environment, and spirituality (among others), the clinicians of the BHOC use their education and experience (both professional and personal) in order to help the people we serve not only manage their health, but manage their whole lives.
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A job opportunity brought me to Phoenix in 2007. Joshua Tree had just begun a pet assistance program called Friends Furrever. A program that pairs at risk shelter animals with people who are HIV positive. When my partner was sick and we didn’t have a support system here in Phoenix, we found our way to Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS. The staff were welcoming and supportive; making us feel like we were coming home.
DINING OUT FOR LIFE
Food
& Fundrasing FRIENDS
On April 26, Dining Out for Life International 2012 occurred in more than 60 cities across the United States and Canada. Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS teamed with Northland Cares in Prescott to bring Dining Out for Life to Arizona for its 11th year. Nearly 50 restaurants and two bars donated a portion of the day’s proceeds to support programs and services at Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS. Thanks to the extraordinary effort by hundreds of volunteers, restaurants and staff, thousands of diners and the community at large became more aware of the ongoing existence of those living with and affected by HIV and AIDS while raising more than $50,000 to help support the programs at Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS.
> Dining Out goes viral with Hula’s proprietor, Dana Mule’. His personal video message reached out to thousands. “Dining Out for Life is so important,” said Mule’. “It’s all about giving back to the community.”
> With Mahalo Mondays, every Monday during the month of April Hula’s donated 10% of the days sales to Southwest Center.
Being Alive
Dining Out for Life helps to drive business into the participating venues, and is applauded by Local First Arizona, an organization working to strengthen communities and local economies through
supporting and celebrating locally owned businesses throughout Arizona. There was added excitment while dining with friends - the chance to win great prizes! Latisha Schnepf took home a 52-inch flat screen TV from Cyber Sound and Tom Nicholson scored a 1-year membership to LA Fitness! Congratulations to you both. “Please know the real blessing is not just winning the TV, it is supporting a much needed cause and a reason for good friends, family and a wonderful meal to get together to share the experience,” said an elated Schnepf. A special thank you to our sponsors of Dining Out for Life: Subaru, azcentral.com, Speks Creative, Aetna, ION Arizona Magazine, ECHO Magazine, The Beat 92.7, Mega 104.3, Cellit Mobile, SWAY Events, Moving Active Adz, Cable One Business Local First Arizona, Fann Contracting and Yavapai Regional Medical Center.
They serve us in the name of friendship, compassion and honor.
by Theodore J. Dover
Being alive is a task that’s not easy. But it’s not without its rewards also. To enjoy life, freedom, romances, and the foods that come in many different cultures of taste. And of course good old fashion fun time. But for us it’s a little harder. We know it and live with it. But we don’t have to go through it by ourselves alone.
Their courage and sharing is the sense of joy that brings happiness and warm feelings to us all. Their devotion, time, understanding and helping hand go a long way to giving us the best in health. Their big hearts stand for more than words can say, and they make every day that much easier to living with HIV and AIDS. A joyful life not a down one.
The men and women of Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS make it a lot easier and brighter for us all.
So let’s give Southwest Center a hand and stand tall and salute them with pride. Because they are worth every bit of it and more.
They are a group of dedicated and hard working people whose goal in life is not only to focus on themselves, but also to serve you and me.
To Southwest Center: We love you and thank you! You are the greatest people on earth!
swhiv.org
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IN THE CENTER Logan’s Playground Child Watch Available onsite for all clients utilizing services at the Center. HOURS: Monday-Friday 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m. Please RSVP to 602.307.5330 ext. 2255
Logan’s Playground Reassures Mom A young mom with an 18-month old daughter and a newborn son had her first appointment at McDowell Healthcare Center and needed child care services. Being newly diagnosed with HIV, she was afraid, shy and nervous and didn’t feel comfortable leaving her children with strangers. After reassurance by staff, she left them at Logan’s Playground Child Watch and went to her appointment. When the mom returned from her appointments, she seemed calmer and started to tell
Pizza & The Basics
Men’s Day
An introductory HIV 101 Class for HIV positive and negative adults.
July 11 - Laroushna Pierre, DO: Diabetes
10:00a.m. – 3:00p.m.
July 14 August 11 September 8 us her story. She said that it was very hard to find out that she had HIV and that she was very scared for herself and her daughter as she had also recently gotten the test results that her daughter was also HIV positive. A staff person shared all of the wonderful support services at Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS and encouraged her to go to the Women’s support group and Women’s educational luncheon. She stated that she is so glad that in the middle of all of these worries, there are people who care about her and her children. She is extremely thankful and appreciates all of the help that we provide to her.
Wednesdays 12:00 – 1:30p.m. August 8 - Paula Klunk, Abbott Pharmaceuticals August 22 - Joseph Leahy, Tibotec September 12 - Mike Roy, Gilead
Survivors of Domestic Abuse Thursdays 9:30 – 11:00a.m.
Women’s Day
Thursdays 12:00 – 1:00p.m. July 5 - Taylor Grace, SWIHA July 26 - Water Safety, City of Phoenix Fire Department August 2 - Paula Klunk, Abbott August 9 - Carol Williams, RN, ViiV August 23 - Joseph Leahy, Tibotec
EXPLORING CLINICAL TRIALS
Southwest Center Hosts the FDA On the Front Line by Dena Sanchez
Clinical Trials Manager dsanchez@swhiv.org
inspection was a success. OraSure has submitted a Premarket Application to the FDA in an effort to obtain approval to market this device in the United States. Congratulations to the Clinical Trials team, including Dr. Waldman, Dena Sanchez, Joyce Nelson and Sharon Jorgensen for their considerable efforts in conducting solid, high quality research that will improve the lives of every person who is at risk for HIV.
Southwest Center continues its efforts to battle HIV/AIDS through the science and knowledge that only clinical research can bring. We are currently working on 11 research trials (1 enrolling trial, 2 trials in startup, 3 trials in the pipeline and 5 trials in maintenance) with an estimated 600 participating clients. As we continue to work diligently to bring more and better drugs and devices to market, one of the studies where we have participated includes the OraSure Home Test Kit. While the rapid test has been available for some time to doctor’s offices and testing locations, never before have people had the opportunity to test for the HIV antibody in the privacy of their home. Although a potentially emotional and challenging finding, there are people who would prefer the privacy to test at home. As part of that device going to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval, all sites that participated in the study were audited by the FDA, including Southwest Center who had a jawdropping 310 participants were enrolled in this trial to research an Over the Counter HIV Antibody Testing Device. So, in March 2012, Southwest Center hosted two FDA Inspectors in a fourday audit. Fifty-five of the participants were randomly selected for inspection. Essential points were reviewed during this time including site capabilities, training records, storage and tracking of the devices, protocol deviations, Informed Consent Forms, process and the overall functionality of the Clinical Trials department. The
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REACHING OUT
The Launch Program
Linking Newly Diagnosed Individuals to HIV Care by Jon Martin
Early Intervention Services Manager jmartin@swhiv.org
Southwest Center’s HIV testing program continues to grow, innovate, and provide free services to the community. During the past few months we have been busy rolling out features of our new Launch Program intended to help clients who are newly diagnosed with HIV, as well as HIVpositive clients who have fallen out of care. Specifically, the Launch Program provides clients with linkages and referrals to vital services they need, as well as provides education on living healthy with HIV and navigating the system of care in the Valley. Our education is offered by well-trained, empathetic, and experienced peer mentors and health educators. When a person tests HIV-positive they immediately face numerous challenges, many of which can seem insurmountable. Having skilled, caring HIV testing staff is crucial for helping clients through those early moments. But beyond the HIV testing setting, it is important that clients are offered further assistance. The Launch Program pairs clients with mentors and health educators who assess their immediate needs and make appropriate referrals
>HIV TESTING SCHEDULE Monday-Thursday 9:00am - 7:30pm Friday 9:00am - 4:30pm Syphilis and Gonorrhea testing on Wednesday and Thursday 10:00am - 4:00pm
GET TESTED!
1144 E. McDowell Road, Suite 200 Phoeniz, AZ 85006 602.307.5330 swhiv.org
to help address those needs when possible. Clients are immediately referred to appropriate medical care and if needed, to the Ryan White Central Eligibility Office if they have no means of paying for health care. Ryan White funded services, include medical care and medication coverage for clients who do not have other health insurance, as well as case management, dental coverage, housing assistance, etc. Launch Program staff accompany clients to these appointments, and are on hand to provide assistance and emotional support when needed. This ensures that clients get off to a good start with their medical care and critical support services. Another important part of the Launch Program is the Health Education component. Clients who are newly diagnosed with HIV are often overwhelmed and frightened by the new realities they face. Launch Program health educators help alleviate those fears and concerns, answer their questions, and help the newly diagnosed person build a solid knowledge base regarding living with HIV. Southwest Center’s Pizza and the Basics workshop is a great resource for learning about the virus, but many newly diagnosed clients feel intimidated by the prospect of receiving HIV education in a group setting. Our Launch Program provides one-on-one attention, and covers HIV 101, Living with HIV, and Understanding the System of Care. Addressing each individual’s needs allows Launch Program educators to be uniquely client-centered in their approach, and we believe this leads to better health outcomes for those we serve in the long run.
POKE Kicks Off at PRIDE
I Know Mine. Do You Know Yours? by Thomas Fleming
Men’s Health Center Manager tfleming@swhiv.org
With colorful wristbands, t-shirts and a team of enthusiastic volunteers, the Phoenix Pride parade and festival proved to be an exciting kickoff to our new POKE program. POKE is about being responsible with our sexual lives. This program is meant to normalize the conversation around being tested, using protection, and other ways of keeping yourself protected from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. It is about being who you are, and protecting who you are. POKE’s main message is clear and simple, “I Know Mine. Do You Know Yours?” It’s not about being positive or negative, but knowing. Knowledge is power! When you see POKE at the festivals, the bars, or other events come up say “hi,” ask questions... we are here for you.
swhiv.org/POKE
A key aspect to all of the Launch Program’s work is the incorporation of HIV-positive peer mentors in the delivery of the services. These well-trained mentors speak with a voice of experience, compassion, and understanding that no amount of training or education can match. Often, newly diagnosed clients are more willing to open up to mentors, sharing their concerns and questions with peers who have had the same experiences. On more than one occasion newly diagnosed clients have said that working with a peer mentor was the most valuable part of the Launch Program. We clearly understand this value, and will continue to include peer mentorship as a critical component as we grow and expand. swhiv.org
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WHAT’S HAPPENING
Tour for Life Home Tour 2012 SAVE THE DATE
October 27 & 28
CELEBRATE LIFE!
A Vounteer Appreciation Party We will be recognizing Southwest Center’s Outstanding Volunteer Leaders. Wednesday, July 18, 2012 5:00 - 8:00p.m. Phoenix Art Museum 1625 N Central Ave
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS
ACKERMAN ART & DESIGN
J.W. HARRIS, INC.
ALLIANCE BANK
JOHN BROOKS INCORPORATED
ALPHAGRAPHICS
LOCAL FIRST ARIZONA
APOTHECARY SHOPS
LUXE INTERIORS + DESIGN
ARIZONA BANK AND TRUST
Mc CARTHY BUILDING COMPANIES
ARIZONA REPUBLIC
MEGA 104.3/THE BEAT 92.7
AXIS EMPLOMENT SERVICES
MERRILL LYNCH c/o BANK OF AMERICA
BARNEYS NEW YORK
MOVING ACTIVE ADZ
CABLE ONE BUSINESS CBIZ
OGLETREE DEAKINS NASH SMOAK & STEWART PC OWENS & COMPANY
CELLIT MOBILE
POLSINELLI SHUGHART PC
CITY OF PHOENIX
PRIMAL ROOTS WINES/DREAMING TREE WINES
COX COMMUNICATIONS
PUEBLO FAMILY MEDICAL
ECHO MAGAZINE
SALT RIVER PROJECT
eEYE DIGITAL SECURITY
SCOTTSDALE INSURANCE COMPANY
HARDISON/DOWNEY CONSTRUCTION
SNELL & WILMER
HYDE PARK JEWELERS
SONORA QUEST
IMI DESIGN
SUB ZERO/WOLF
INTERNATIONAL PRINTING COMPANY
SWAY EVENTS
ION ARIZONA MAGAZINE
US BANK
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