· The Center for
Disease Control and Prevention announced an initiative, “Advancing
HIV Prevention: New Strategies for a Changing Epidemic,”
aimed to reduce barriers to early diagnosis of HIV infection
and increase access to quality medical care, treatment, and
ongoing prevention services for HIV-positive persons and their
partners (CDC, 2003).
· More Than $1 Billion to States to Help Provide Care,
Services and Prescription Drugs for People With HIV/AIDS (U.S.
Dept. of Health and Human Services, 2004)
· Baltimore has the fourth highest incident AIDS case
report rate of any major metropolitan area (Maryland AIDS Administration,
2004).
· Maryland living HIV and AIDS cases are predominantly
African-American (82%), male (65%), and middle-aged (71% of
cases are 30-49 years old) (MAA, 2004).
HIV is an equal opportunity virus; it crosses gender, race,
class, sexual orientation, religious, and age barriers. The
rate of HIV infection continues to grow in the D.C. Metropolitan
area. Although new treatments can extend patients lives, there
is still no cure for AIDS. The daily regimen of drugs is taxing.
There are many ways you can support and assist those living
with HIV/AIDS. Here are a few places where you can make a
difference:
Aids Interfaith Residential Service
Baltimore, MD (410) 576-5070 ext 11
Contact: Leslie Wright, lesliew@airshome.org
http://www.airshome.org
Non-profit agency, which provides housing and services for
people with HIV/AIDS.
American AIDS Political Action
Washington, DC (202) 530-8030
Contact: Scott Brawley, aidsaction@aidsaction.org
http://www.aidsaction.org
Dedicated to responsible federal policy for improved care
and services, medical research and effective prevention, AIDS
Action is the national voice on AIDS.
Carl Vogel Center
Washington, DC (202) 638-0750
Contact: Ron Mealey, cvchiv@carlvogelcenter.org
http://www.carlvogelcenter.com
Provides early treatment interventions, nutrition, and complementary
therapies improve the quality of life for people with HIV/AIDS.
Capital Hospice
Beltsville, MD (301) 572-2489
Contact: Rick Ransom, rransom@capitalhospice.org
http://www.capitalhospice.org
Provides for the physical and psychological needs of terminally
ill patients and their families. We are now a part of the
Hospices of the National Capital Region serving Virginia,
D.C. and Prince George’s County with an in-patient facility
in Arlington, VA.
Chase Brexton Health Services
Baltimore, MD (410) 837-2050 ext 1205
Contact: Geri O’Donoghue,
development@chasebrexton.org
http://www.chasebrexton.org
A non-profit, community-based organization providing medical,
dental, psychological, and social services on a non- discriminatory
basis.
Damien Ministries
Washington, DC (202) 526-3020 ext. 10
Contact: Jessica Johnson, damiendc@aol.com
http://www.damienministries.org
Provides moral, physical, and spiritual support through spiritual
retreats, housing, education, and support groups for poor
people living with AIDS.
Food and Friends
Washington, DC (202) 488-3968
Contact: Regan Davis, rdavis@foodandfriends.org
http://www.foodandfriends.org
Prepares and delivers free hot meals to homebound people living
with AIDS and other terminal illnesses. Volunteers assist
with food preparation and delivery. Committed drivers are
needed for weekly delivery routes in the greater D.C. area,
including College Park and Prince George’s and Montgomery
Counties.
Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive (HIPS)
Washington, DC (202) 232-8150
Contact: Cyndee Clay, HIPS@HIPS.org
http://www.hips.org
HIV Prevention Agency centered on a philosophy of harm reduction.
Help make people's lifestyles healthier and safer. This is
done by outreach on a van by handing out safer sex products.
Homecall Hospice Services
Columbia, MD 1-800-543-0696
A home-based hospice program offering support to the terminally
ill and their families. A well-defined training program is
provided free of charge. Direct or indirect care giving opportunities
available.
Metro TeenAIDS
Washington, DC (202) 543-9355 ext. 28
Contact: Trina Scott, tscott@metroteenaids.org
http://www.metroteenaids.org
Combines peer and professional mental health support, HIV/AIDS
education, and HIV testing to prevent HIV infection among
young people.
Moveable Feast
Baltimore, MD (410) 327-3420 ext 31
Contact: Tom Patrick, tpatrick@mfeast.org
http://www.mfeast.org
Provides food and nutritional counseling to homebound people
with HIV/AIDS, groceries, hot meals and snacks to other non-profits.
Provides job opportunities to people living with HIV/AIDS.
Three daily volunteer shifts: 7:30am-noon, 1-3pm, 4-7pm.
National Minority AIDS Council
Washington, DC (202) 483-6622
Contact: Barbara Turman, Bturman@nmac.org
http://www.nmac.org
Lends visibility, leadership, educational materials, comprehensive
technical assistance and a powerful national voice for community
based HIV/AIDS organizations.
Pets-DC
Washington, DC (202) 234-7387
Contact: Chip Wells, info@petsdc.org
http://www.petsdc.org
Assists people living with AIDS in the care of their pets
by providing health education, pet food and veterinary care.
Terrific, Inc.: Grandma’s House
Washington, DC (202) 234-4128
Contact: Susan McCarley
Grandma's houses are special homes in Washington, D.C. for
fragile infants and children, including those who have been
exposed to HIV/AIDS.
The Hospice of the Chesapeake
Landover, MD (301) 499-4500
Contact: Julie Medlin, jmedlin@hospicechesapeake.org
http://www.hospicechesapeake.org
Provides medical care and support services to the terminally
ill, as well as bereavement to those in mourning. Volunteers
are needed in the areas of patient care, spiritual support,
fund raising, and support groups.
Whitman Walker Clinic: Suburban Maryland
Takoma Park, MD (301) 408-5010, ext.15
Contact: Bob Andreasen,Randreasen@wwc.org
http://www.wwc.org
Provides assistance and care to meet particular practical
and/or emotional needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS. Also
provides health and wellness care to the gay, lesbian, bisexual,
and transgender communities.
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