Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that it has awarded Metro Wellness & Community Centers with $350,000 over 5 years in new funding to provide HIV High Impact prevention. This funding is part of the CDC’s $216 million project to reduce the rates of infection in the hardest-hit areas of the United States.
Florida currently ranks first in the nation for newly diagnosed HIV cases, and third in the nation for newly diagnosed AIDS cases. Hillsborough County ranks first in the state with newly diagnosed HIV cases and Pinellas County as seventh. “The epidemic in our area is alarming especially for those under 29 yrs of age. Through Metro’s HIV testing alone in the month of June there were 10 new positive persons identified,” said Lorraine Langlois, CEO.
The CDC adds to current funding from the Florida Department of Health for increased prevention education for positives and high risk negative programming. “This type of programming helps us increase awareness and health among those who have been diagnosed with HIV, and hopefully reducing the transmission of HIV. This funding is perfect timing with our new primary care clinic which will offer PrEP treatment among other LGBTQ services.” say Priya Rajkumar, VP. This is the first time in years that a community based organization in Tampa Bay has received direct funding from the CDC for HIV prevention. Metro is one of only three grantees in Florida to receive funding.
Some additional services provided through the funding includes couples counseling, increased treatment adherence education and ensuring access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for individuals at high risk of infection. Metro just recently announced the opening of LGBTQ Primary Care Clinics which will provide these increased services to help stop the spread of HIV in our communities. www.metrotampabay.org
TAMPA PRIDE Fall Benefit Bingo’s Set at HM
TAMPA PRIDE 2016 announced Benefit Bingo’s at Hamburger Mary’s. The community GLBT’s Big Pride event is scheduled for next March 26, 2016. All bingo’s are Sunday nights starting at 7pm with Tampa Bay’s Rainbow Comedic Bingo Announcer, Miss Stephanie Shippae. Make plans to come out Sunday nights!
Look for more upcoming events for TAMPA PRIDE 2016. www.TampaPride.org
The Purple Rhino, the Gay Community Organization in Sarasota for the Gay Community has been designated their charitable status now by the IRS (501c3.) To help them Chuck and I are going to host a special Saturday evening and night where we are going to be hosts and bartenders. 100% of all proceeds are going to the new 501c3.
We are organizing some of our friends (including some famous ones smile emoticon )to help organize dinner and food specials, entertainment surprises, auction, DJ dance and other fun activities. We are supporting the Sarasota Gay Community and help raise money for Purple Rhino to expand their services to help our community with a home and other charitable organizations related to children, bullying, HIV, Sarasota Pride and much more.
And let’s face it… when do you EVER have the opportunity to have Chuck and I serve you a drink? And more! We think it is going to be a lot of fun. We hope you join us!
PLEASE SAVE THE DATE and if you can help us in anyway (or want to be on our host committee) please contact me at al@ALandCHUCK.travel
