dougs digs

once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right

9.15.2005

Lending a Helping Hand in Houston

Since I began working for Good Samaritan Project in 2002, I have attended the annual United States Conference on AIDS each year.

This conference is the largest HIV/AIDS conference in the country and one of the largest in the world. It changes 'host cities' each year; 2002 it was in Anaheim, 2003 it was in New Orleans (I will cherish that one now more than ever), and 2004 it was in Philadelphia.

I have such an unbelievable time at this conference. The world’s top HIV/AIDS researchers, doctors, pharmaceutical companies, grassroots organizations, etc. offer extraordinary seminars and lectures. It is non-stop learning and networking.

Not to mention soaking up the city nightlife at night is a must.

However, this years conference (9/28-10/2) is going to be different, it's in Houston, the home away from home for thousands of displaced Hurricane Katrina victims.

I was wondering if the 'show would go on' even. If the city could handle such a major conference in addition to all that they are doing for the victims. I received an email this week from the USCA director. Looks like not only will the conference still go on, but the conference organizers will be providing shuttle service at night for conference attendees to go to the various sites around the city where the displaced victims are being temporarily housed to volunteer our time and resources. I am thankful I get the opportunity to at least spend some time with these victims and hopefully offer some support as well:

2005 USCA Responds to Hurricane Katrina

Our USCA partners would like to express their sincere sympathy to those impacted by Hurricane Katrina.

USCA will happen this year in Houston; however, given the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, we will be making adjustments to the conference program (see below). We struggled with this decision; however, we also knew that the fight against AIDS continues, and so must our work.We hope to use the meeting as a way for the AIDS community to support and learn from those AIDS service organizations and people with AIDS impacted by Katrina, and to discuss how HIV/AIDS organizations can continue to serve their communities after a disaster.

We also have been asked by leaders in the Houston area not to cancel the meeting. The economic impact of pulling USCA out of the city would hurt the local economy when it needs our support the most.

USCA participants will have an opportunity to make direct contributions to HIV/AIDS organizations impacted by this disaster in several ways.

Instead of serving food at the plenary, on Friday, September 30, we will take the $40,000 ear-marked for meals, and donate it to community-based organizations (CBOs) in areas affected by Katrina. Donations will be accepted on-site, and participants also will be able to sign-up for volunteer opportunities at shelters, food banks and other locations, throughout the Houston area. Come early or stay longer and help out those directly affected in this community. USCA attendees also will be able to participate in a forum with CBOs/ASOs in affected areas. We intend to bring CBOs from impacted areas to directly share their stories and to let us know how they can be supported.

A number of workshops addressing the preparedness of HIV/AIDS organizations to respond to a catastrophic event like Katrina will be held, including:

How to Prepare Your Organization for an Emergency. If we learned anything from this tragedy, we learned that we need to be prepared. We will discuss what your organization needs to do to be ready to respond to an emergency situation.

How to Prepare Your Organization for a Potential Increase in Clients. Organizations outside of the areas impacted by Katrina may see an influx of evacuees. Are you ready for more clients? Do you know how to transfer files, access emergency funding, transfer public assistance from one state to another, etc.

Candlelight Vigil
There will be a candlelight vigil on Thursday, September 29, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Hermann Square “Reflection Pond” to pay homage to lives lost to HIV/AIDS and in the recent tragedy. Shuttle service to and from the vigil will be provided.

Additional Information
Deciding whether to hold USCA was not an easy decision. We hope that you will join us and see this as a way to support those in need because of this disaster.

|| doug, 13:14

2 Comments:

President pissing, New Orleans Hurricane, - blah blah blah. wheres the football.
Anonymous Anonymous, at 16/9/05 20:03  
MArdi Gras 2005 - Flash Me for food and water
Anonymous Anonymous, at 19/9/05 19:42  

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