July 2010

Goldman and Bock join ACA

In July, AIDS Community Alliance began implementing an ambitious plan to bring the board's new vision of the Agency into reality. Over the next twelve months the Agency will be working to create and implement programs and educational offerings that will help individuals who have traditionally been marginalized by the healthcare system overcome disparities that have had a negative impact upon their quality of life. Included in the Agency's plans are efforts to increase access to primary care and STD services for members of the LGBT community as well as individuals struggling with addiction. To help us move forward, the Agency has partnered with Dr. John Goldman of Pinnaclehealth and Lorraine Bock, MSN, CRNP of Bock Family Healthcare.
For years, AIDS Community Alliance has partnered with PinnacleHealth's REACCH Clinic in Harrisburg to provide high-quality HIV medical care services to individuals living with HIV. Dr. Goldman, one of the lead physicians at the REACCH Clinic, has agreed to serve as the medical director for ACA's growing program. In the early nineties, Dr. Goldman had served on the Board of Directors of AIDS Community Alliance.
Ms. Bock joins AIDS Community Alliance as the Agency's primary Nurse Practitioner. She brings a wealth of experience providing access to quality healthcare to individuals throughout the South Central Pennsylvania community. Ms. Bock will be overseeing the Agency's field-based STD screening and treatment programs while assisting in the planning and implementation of the Agency's immunization programs as well as the Agency's Primary Health Center which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2011.

June 2010
ACA Partners with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to Take on Syphilis

Ten years ago AIDS Community Alliance was attending meetings where the topic was the elimination of syphilis in Pennsylvania. Sadly, today the topic has changed. With an increasing number of Syphilis infections being reported throughout South Central Pennsylvania, the priority has shifted from eliminating to containing this sexually transmitted disease.

As with HIV, part of the challenge with syphilis is getting people tested and connected to treatment. To increase the accessibility of syphilis testing in South Central PA, AIDS Community Alliance has partnered with the Pennsylvania Department of Health - Division of STDs to offer screenings in conjunction with the Agency's HIV prevention projects - Men4Men (designed for Men who have Sex with Men) and STEPS (serving individuals who injection drugs and their partners).

Syphilis screenings will be offered at select locations as a part of ACA's field-based HIV rapid testing program. The screenings are confidential and free. While ACA uses the oral swab for HIV testing, syphilis screenings are a blood test that must be sent to the laboratory for processing.

ACA's first field-based Syphilis screening will be at Central PA Pride at Riverfront Park in Harrisburg on July 24, 2010 from 12noon to 5PM.

For more information call 1.800.867.1550.

April 2010

ACA To Host Forum On LGBT Health Priorities

Presented by AIDS Community Alliance, this is a special forum with Rebecca Fox, Director of the National Coalition for LGBT Health. During the evening's presentation and discussion participants will learn about the impact of Health Disparities upon the LGBT Community of South Central Pennsylvania.

The forum will be held at the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg (1280 Clover Lane) on Wednesday, June 9 @ 7PM. Light refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP to LGBT Health or call 1.800.867.1550.

RSVP appreciated but not required.

March 2010

Potter World Raffle Winner

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2010 Potter World Raffle. A total of 709 tickets were sold for the chance to win an Orlando Adventure including admission to Universal Studio's - Orlando's newest attractions - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter or a $2500 travel voucher from Zeller Travel in Lancaster, PA.

On Saturday, March 13th ACA recruited Gabriela Uassouf to officiate over the drawing. Gabriela, a Dickinson College senior, played a pivotal role working with Professor Dan Schubert during 2009 to complete ACA's Living Positive in South Central PA documentary.

And the winner is: Lauren Ashworth of Lancaster.

Congratulations Lauren! And, thank you again to everyone who helped to make The Potter World Raffle a success.

Join AIDS Community Alliance for our 2010 Wine Tour.

Each year the event takes wine lovers dedicated to supporting HIV and AIDS care and prevention services in our community to three local wineries. While supporting the programs of ACA, participants are introduced to the growing local Pennsylvania wine industry.

Date: Saturday, September 25, 2010

Time: Tour departs from the ACA Administrative Office
(100 N. Cameron Street, Suite 301-East) at 10:00AM
Tour returns to Harrisburg by 5PM.

Tour Ticket: $85
Vintner Ticket: $100 (The Vintner Ticket includes a listing in the event program.)

The 2010 Wine Tour features three wineries in Adams County and will include visits to Hauser Estate Winery, Reid's Orchard and Winery and Adams County Winery. The 2010 tour will also include a sit-down lunch with a special stop at the Hickory Bridge Farm Bed and Breakfast.

Tour tickets include luxury bus transportation from the AIDS Community Alliance Administrative Office in Harrisburg, tastings at all wineries, lunch at Hickory Bridge Farm and light snacks throughout the tour. (In recent years, the Agency has also provided wine tastings on the bus between wineries.)

To purchase tickets please visit ACA's Offical Wine Tour Page (www.aca-pa.kintera.org/2010winetour)

100% of the money raised by the Wine Tour stays in South Central Pennsylvania to support services and programs provided by AIDS Community Alliance in our local community.

For additional information please call 1.800.867.1550 or purchase your tickets online.