Spotlight: AIDS Project RI

First row, L to R, Tom Bertrand, Jim Huseman, Ron Gonscak, Alix Stockwood. 2nd row, L to R, Lia Vaz, Samy Ndayisaba, Peggy Brown, Susan Gagnon, Kim Smith, Katie Davis, Amy Stein, Dolores Brooks, Gordon Cooper, Beverly Case

Resiliency, tenacity, and patience: these are the characteristics all AIDS Project RI staff posses as they make a difference in the lives of the people they serve.
 
Each year, over 350 people benefit from case management, counseling, nutrition, dental health, health insurance assistance, and other services from AIDS Project RI, a division of Family Service of RI.
 
In 2011 the people served came from 33 cities and towns in Rhode Island. In recent years, AIDS Project RI has helped people whose countries-of-origin are over 25 nations throughout the world! Fortunately, AIDS Project RI workers speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, Cape Verdean, French, Swahili, Kirundi, and Kinyarwanda!

Utilizing a holistic and client-centered approach, an individualized care plan is created for every person served. It is important to note that coping with HIV may not be a person’s highest priority in their life—he/she may be dealing with housing, domestic violence, mental health or other issues. The goal is to help the people served address these personal issues, as well as make sure they keep their medical appointments and take their HIV medications.

Over the past year AIDS Project RI has made great strides in expanding its education, prevention and rapid HIV testing programs.