Thursday, August 13, 2020

Community-Based, Nonprofits Address COVID-19's Impact on Marginalized Communities Living with HIV/AIDS

By: Brandon M. Macsata, CEO, ADAP Advocacy Association

The ADAP Advocacy Association announced earlier this week that it had awarded micro grants to eight community-based, nonprofit organizations working to address the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) on marginalized communities living with HIV/AIDS. The micro grants will assist these organizations raise awareness on the intersection between the global pandemic and HIV/AIDS in the United States.

We have devoted significant resources to providing relevant, timely information on COVID-19 and its impact on people living with HIV/AID since the global pandemic reached the United States. Our COVID-19 Community Grants initiative will continue to do so.

COVID-19

The grantees include:

BGW represents a revolutionary attempt to improve the collective narrative of Black Queer folx. Their mission is to empower, educate and mobilize Black Queer folx by acknowledging, celebrating and affirming their whole selves. BGW believes that Black Queer folx are multifaceted and deserve innovative and meticulously researched approaches when being engaged. They believe that Sexual Health + Higher Education + Access to Resources can drastically improve the trajectory of their lives. BGW — conduct intake of — young Black Queer folx while in High School, College, or Graduate School, assess their needs, aspirations and sexual health awareness and provide them with financial and emotional support. Donate to Black, Gifted & Whole Foundation.
CEG is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization working to eliminate disparities in health outcomes and improve public health in disadvantaged populations and under-served communities.  CEG accomplish this by conducting research, training community health workers, educating and testing people who are hard to reach or at risk, sharing our expertise through national networks and local capacity building efforts, and advocating for practical and effective health policies that lead to social change. CEG has offices in both Washington, DC, and Shepherdstown, WV, and has recently partnered with TruEvolution, Inc. (Riverside, CA) to found the Rural Health Service Providers Network which advocates on behalf of organizations providing essential services to clients living in rural America. Donate to Community Education Group.
Founded in the City of Hartford, CT, in 1986, LCS provides culturally responsive care and prevention services to people living with HIV/AIDS and their communities. Beginning it's operations in the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic,  LCS is the only Latino led organization with it's experience providing direct services to marginalized PLWH and other underrepresented populations of color throughout Hartford, Middlesex and Tolland Counties. Latino Community Services recognizes the challenges posed by COVID-19 and the impact that the virus has had worldwide. Throughout these challenging times, they remain committed to their clients and the public as they continue to adapt and evolve throughout the outbreak and recovery phases. Donate to Latino Community Services.  
Let's Kick ASS — AIDS Survivor Syndrome has been empowering HIV Long-Term Survivors to thrive since 2013. They are an all-volunteer, grassroots movement, united in compassion, committed to action, and insisting on visibility. Let's Kick ASS started by and for people living longest with HIV/AIDS to address an unmet need — addressing the present-day psychosocial ramifications of living in the aftermath of the early AIDS pandemic. They are the originator and lead sponsor of the June 5th "HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day" #HLTSAD. Donate to Let's Kick ASS — AIDS Survivor Syndrome.
RAD Remedy is a national grassroots organization dedicated to connecting trans, gender non-conforming, intersex, and queer (TGIQ) folks to accurate, safe, respectful, and comprehensive care. The Referral Aggregator Database (RAD) is a comprehensive and nationally-collaborative database that combines the referral lists of trusted community organizations and the detailed reviews of TGIQ clients. In addition to the organization's database activities, RAD Remedy provides community-informed policy and practice guidance and consulting to organizations, agencies, and individual providers looking to help TGIQ communities thrive. Donate to RAD Remedy.
RAHMA addresses HIV, AIDS, Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C), Sexual Health and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in faith communities through education, advocacy, and empowerment. Their programs include a retreat for HIV+ Muslims and their allies, sexual health & HIV trainings and development og a virtual FGM/C toolkit for survivors and health care providers, created in collaboration with the George Washington University, Milken School of Public Health hosted at https://fgmtoolkit.gwu.edu. RAHMA is also the founder of National Faith HIV & AIDS Awareness Day, which unites Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu and Baha'i faiths to take a stand against stigma in their congregations and raise awareness on HIV and AIDS. Donate to Reaching All HIV+ Muslims in America.
SAYA is an empowerment focused intimate partner violence prevention and intervention non-profit organization in Miami, FL. SAYA's programming includes direct assistance like escape planning and protective order assistance, as well as policy advocacy campaigns, referral for support services, and linkage to care and victim services navigation. SAYA currently relies on a word-of-mouth model in order to ensure the safety of our clients. Through the COVID pandemic, SAYA has also partnered with Panera Bread end night donations to provide to IPV survivors facing homelessness or the risk of homeless. Donate to Simply Amazing You Are.

SBPAN is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that was created in 2018 to improve health, social, and economic conditions facing Black communities living in the U.S. South. SBPAN's mission is to improve health outcomes and reduce social, and economic disparities impacting Black communities living in the U.S. South through training, education, advocacy and mobilization. SBPAN is committed to building and strengthening programs and partnerships focused on improving the health and quality of life for diverse populations of Black southern communities in the U.S., specifically those living at the intersection of marginalized Black communities including, but not limited to those who are same gender loving (SGL), lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT), youth, women, and persons over the age of 55. Donate to Southern Black Policy and Advocacy Network.

The ADAP Advocacy Association will work with these grantees to disseminate relevant information to community stakeholders over the few months. 

Disclaimer: Guest blogs do not necessarily reflect the views of the ADAP Advocacy Association, but rather they provide a neutral platform whereby the author serves to promote open, honest discussion about public health-related issues and updates.

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