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I have 21-years experience working in social services. I am one of the healthcare professionals that sit on the AAOI's planning committee to plan this much needed event. My full time job is that of Project Director for a homeless program for men who are dually diagnosed. Working with the AAOI as Developmetn Chair gives me an opportunity to raise funds for this great cause.

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Damaris McDonald

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678-362-0782

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African American Outreach Initiative
If It Is To Be, It Is Up To ME!

AFRICAN AMERICAN OUTREACH INITIATIVE



NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Damaris McDonald, MA
(404) 678-362-0782



THE AFRICAN AMERICAN OUTREACH INITIATIVE IS PLANNING AND GEARING UP FOR IT’S 12TH YEAR OF EDUCATING, EMPOWERING, AND CHANGING LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS DIAGNOSED WITH HIV/AIDS
February 12-13, 2011 Event’s Theme: If It Is To Be, It Is Up To Me!

Atlanta (November 12, 2010) – The African American Outreach Initiative (AAOI), one of the most anticipated annual events for people with HIV/AIDS will return to the Loudermilk Center in celebration of 12 years of improving health outcomes. The event is also anticipated by volunteers who have looked forward to servicing the participants year after year. This 12th initiative will be held on Saturday, February 12 & Sunday, February, 13, 2011.

Under the theme, “If It Is To Be, It Is Up To Me,” the initiative will focus on what it means to be diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and take charge of their health. It has always been the AAOI’s goal: to improve health outcomes, by getting individuals infected with HIV/AIDS linked to primary care so that they can begin appropriate treatment. Participants leave the AAOI enlightened, encouraged, and empowered by the solution-driven conversations, workshops, and presentations.

The initiative is free to all attendees. This year’s initiative will add several new components. There will be on site HIV testing by Sister Love, Inc., The attendance criteria has changed in that the Outreach team will put great emphasis on identifying those that are newly diagnosed and not in care. The attendance criteria has also changed to further empower former attendees. Former participants will now be invited to return as volunteers so that they can assist new attendees in navigating the weekend events.

Space is limited and advance registration is strongly encouraged. Healthcare providers, social workers, counselors, advocates, and peers will facilitate workshops/break out sessions and presentations. The initiative will have a host of exhibitors (AIDS service organizations, pharmaceutical companies, mental health organizations, and housing programs), all of whom will provide information, linkage to care and support services. The initiative partners with AID Atlanta each year and this organization has Case Managers on site to enroll participants in need of case management services, hence linking them to care.

The 2011 initiative will engage participants from 8:00am-5:00pm each day. The initiative’s workshops, presentations and discussions are designed to address the following barriers: Fear of medication side effects lack of understanding of benefits of treatment, Stigma, isolation and fear of disclosure, lack of awareness of resources, denial, Substance use or mental health issues, and Lack of support structure(s) or psychosocial support services. The AAOI is a program of Ryan White Part A Program.

During the past 11 years, participants have come to expect the presentations, workshops, seminars and discussions from these initiatives which have featured a diverse group of presenters, panelists, speakers and group facilitators. All are volunteers and give their time freely to support this cause. The volunteers are for the most part, African Americans who come to the “table” hoping that what they impart, changes the lives of those in attendance. The presenters express their knowledge and thoughts about important issues related to HIV/AIDS and inspire solutions. Ironically, the first initiative held in 1999 was conceived as a one-time event.

The initiative’s planning body knows that we have become the caretakers of something very special, of an event that provides tools for life changing experiences, living positively after a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS. We did not foresee a 12-year span, but we are humbled by the breadth and scope of the events and what they have meant to communities in Metropolitan Atlanta. The initiative has changed lives to the extent that the former Chair, who chaired the AAOI for 5 years, was an initiative attendee 10 years ago. He is now also the COO of one of the premier non-profit organizations in the Metro Atlanta area. One of our current Chairs was also an attendee 10 years ago, who also went on to become a Peer Educator, Pre/Post Test Counselor and nationwide HIV/AIDS spokesperson.

Each year the AAOI draws an increased number of participants. In 1999, the first initiative planned for 50 participants, drew 150 participants and attendance rates have exceeded our expectations every year since. The 11th initiative held during February of this year, drew 560 participants.

Given the current state of HIV/AIDS, and the fact that African Americans make up 13% of U.S. population, but represent more than half of new cases, and the fact that African American women account for 65% of new cases of HIV/AIDS amongst women, the AAOI planning committee thinks that this will be the most urgent initiative to date.

Not only has AAOI brought forth thoughtful discussions about key issues and solutions, but attendees have often come away with information that allowed them to navigate the system while linking participants to care and increase treatment adherence. Participants have also often left with action plans. One such action plan is to engage in trainings that prepare them to work as peer advocates and/or peer educators.

All participants will receive breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack. Participant will also each receive back packs, often used to place literature and other material. A t-shirt with AAOI’s logo and the theme for the year will also be provided to each participant.