January 2010

Administrative Offices to Move

After seven years at 401 Division Street, Ste. 100 in Harrisburg, the administrative offices of AIDS Community Alliance are preparing to move. Starting in late February, the Agency will house its administrative offices at 100 N. Cameron Street, Suite 301 East, Harrisburg, PA 17101.

While the facility on Division Street has been a serviceable location for AIDS Community Alliance, the move to the new administrative office provides the Agency with an excellent opportunity to enhance its programs and services. According to Phil Goropoulos, the Agency's President /CEO, the new location will provide for multiple rooms that may be used for confidential client services, including HIV testing, support groups, educational programs and case management services, while continuing to meet the office needs of all ACA programs. ACA's present location has only a single room dedicated to client-related activities.

The Agency anticipates its first day of business at the new Cameron Street location to be Monday, February 21, 2010. There will be no changes to the Agency's phone number, fax number or Web site.

December 2009

Harrisburg, PA - Facing increasing number of individuals becoming infected with HIV in South Central Pennsylvania, AIDS Community Alliance of South Central Pennsylvania, WITF and Mr. David Leas and Mr. Ben Dunlap, Jr. have partnered to bring five blocks of the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt to the region. The quilt is a visual reminder of the impact the disease has had on individuals, families and communities in the region and throughout the United States. The quilt will be on public display in the Lowengard Atrium of WITF's Public Media Center (4801 Lindle Road, Harrisburg) from World AIDS Day, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 until Friday, January 1, 2010.

"Each month more individuals and families are reaching out to AIDS Community Alliance looking for assistance as they learn to live with HIV," according to Phil Goropoulos, President/CEO of AIDS Community Alliance (ACA). Annually, over 600 families are assisted through the programs and services of ACA. Between July and September 2009 over 40 new HIV+ clients enrolled in the Agency's care and supportive services program throughout South Central Pennsylvania.

Though many would like to believe HIV is not an issue in our community, HIV infection rates continue to be high throughout the South Central Pennsylvania. "As treatments improve and individuals infected with HIV live longer, AIDS has become increasingly invisible in our community," stated Goropoulos. "But the epidemic is far from over. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS." AIDS Community Alliance and its partners recognized the powerful message that a display of The AIDS Memorial Quilt can have on members of the Community. The Quilt serves as a powerful image both of remembrance and of inspiration The Quilt allows the region to remember those we have lost and inspires individuals, groups and communities to continue the necessary work to stop the spread of HIV.

The AIDS Memorial Quilt is the largest ongoing community arts project in the world and is a powerful tool for use in preventing new HIV infections. It is displayed in blocks that measure 12 feet high by 12 feet wide and each block contains about eight individual panels that are sewn together. Each individual panel celebrates and memorializes the life of an individual lost to AIDS.

The five block display at WITF celebrates World AIDS Day, December 1, and is available to be viewed by the public during the entire exhibition period, December 1 through January 1. To schedule a visit to the WITF Public Media Center to view the AIDS Memorial Quilt please contact Sara Wagner, WITF Development Outreach Specialist, at (717)-910-2945 or Sara_Wagner@witf.org.

For more information call 1.800.867.1550.

September 2009

Dine Out Comes To A Close with The Last Supper

After more than 15 years of Dine Out in South Central Pennsylvania, the event will come to a close on Wednesday, September 23, 2009. Join us at restaurants throughout Lancaster, Harrisburg, Carlisle and York to help make a difference in the fight against AIDS in South Central Pennsylvania.

Wednesday, September 23 - 5PM to Close

Participating in Dine Out is easy. Invite all of your friends and family to join you eating at any of the participating restaurants listed below. Each of the generous locally owned establishments will contribute 15% to 35% of your total food order to support HIV care and prevention services in our local community. You get to enjoy great food and great company while 100% of the proceeds from the event help individuals, families and communities here in South Central Pennsylvania.

Many participating restaurants will be busy on the night of Dine Out. Most take reservations. Call today to be sure that you get a table at your favorite Dine Out Restaurant.
(Remember, Take Out also helps make a difference that evening!)

For a complete list of participating restaurants and event sponsors visit Dine Out or call 1.800.867.1550.

August 2009

ACA Board Welcomes New Members and Officers

At the August 6th meeting of the Board of Directors, AIDS Community Alliance elected two new members to the Board of Directors in addition to electing a returning member to a new three year term.

New Members:
Megan S. Dapp of New Cumberland: Ms. Dapp is a Dickinson College graduate who brings a wealth of public policy experience to the Board. She is a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and currently works as a Communications Associate with The Bravo Group.
Jessica Long of Harrisburg: A native of Lebanon County, Ms. Long is a graduate of Florida State University and is an active member of the Harrisburg Young Professionals. She is currently employed as a Communications Associate with The Bravo Group.

Returning Member Elected To A New Term:
Anne Gingrich, JD of Harrisburg: Ms. Gingrich is returning for her second three-year term as a member of the Board of Directors at ACA. Currently an attorney with the firm of Post & Schell, PC, Ms. Gingrich has also served as a member of the Public Defenders Office in Dauphin County.

The Board of Directors recently adopted a Policy Governance Style of operations. Under this new governance structure only two officer positions are elected each year - Board Chair and Board Secretary. During the elections on August 6, Dale Erskine, PhD of Lebanon was elected as Chair and Susan Stirling of Manheim was elected as Secretary.