What Can You do to Help!

National HIV Testing Day

Every June 27, is National HIV Testing Day; to mark the 2007 occasion, we made a commitment to move our “KNOW YOUR STATUS” and Education Initiative beyond workshops and marketing to going directly to people, asking them to get tested, and to do all that we can to provide access to testing and counseling.  Our first two events were held on June 25, at Wheaton City Hall and then June 27, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wheaton...Read More

 "To get an HIV-test, contact the DuPage County Health Department or your local health department.  Or Click Here; for information on in-home test kits" and, for the "DuPage County Health Department"

“KNOW YOUR STATUS” is the foundation of our Education Advocacy Initiative.  This simple appeal leads people to engage in a dialog that uncovers the real challenges to ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic.  Here are some examples of what we have found:

• At a presentation of 12 nurses and healthcare officials, as a group they could not identify the four body fluids that transmit HIV/AIDS – essential information if these same providers are to effectively implement the new CDC guidelines.
• A large network of medical providers in the region was not aware of the new CDC guidelines until TMI staff met with them.
• Despite the fact that the DuPage County Health Department has been offering HIV-tests on a regular basis in West Chicago, neither the Police Department’s officers and social service workers nor adult support groups that meet on a weekly basis knew of this.  These support groups reach some of the highest-risk groups in our region.
• A young college student emerged with “shocking” news that he was HIV-positive.  He thought he was a virgin and did not think oral sex was considered sex and could transmit HIV (reinforcing the need for on-going education).
• A local agency that provides supports and services to refugees not only did not know the basics about HIV (despite that many of their clients are HIV+), they were not fully aware of Universal Precautions – the standard of care when it comes to airborne, bloodborne and other communicable diseases.

 By encouraging all people to know their status and commit to not spreading or getting HIV/AIDS, we are opening doors for conversation, understanding and action.

The work of prevention is not only about education, testing and advocacy.  It is mostly about hope – hope that we can end the HIV/AIDS pandemic, hope that our lives have meaning, and hope that we can make a difference.  For this reason, The Mosaic Initiative is establishing a scholarship for people disabled by HIV/AIDS who have demonstrated a desire and commitment to returning to work in some capacity.  Based on the results of a survey of how to best meet the need, the dollar amount of these scholarships will be based on the needs of the recipients (between $250 and $1000) in order to complete an education degree or trade/profession certification.  For the first year, we have a goal of offering $2500 total.

Opportunities for volunteer involvement include:

·    Fund raising/donating

·    Participation on a committee that oversees the application process

·    Participate in the selection process

·    Serve as a mentor/contact to recipients

·    Participate in the October Ecumenical Youth Bike Ride (a portion of the funds raised will support these scholarships)

·    Serve on the World AIDS Day Prayer Breakfast committee, integrating scholarship awards into the event

·    Attend the World AIDS Day Prayer Breakfast in honoring the recipients

Not only will this help to create opportunities for the recipients, but they will be symbols and a message of hope for what is possible to the greater community – that having HIV/AIDS need not limit one’s life, merely point it in a new direction. Please contact us for more information or to donate to the Scholarship Initiative.

Download Application

SUPPORT OUR KENYA INITIATIVE

 Kenya Mission Update

It is with a sense of relief and excitement that I share the most recent news from Buchifi, Kenya.  As you may know, or can imagine, the work of building from the ground up, from a great distance, in an area of overwhelming need, and further complicated by politics and personalities, has made the progress both frustrating and always a question-mark. But, with news and pictures from last week, the Buchifi Community Center is officially open. 

Please contact brad@mosaicinitiative.org  for more information about our Volunteer Programs.