With your continued support, we will expand our services in several ways in 2011:

• Expand our HIV prevention and education programs
• Enroll additional clients in HIV Medical Case Management
• Offer Rapid HIV Testing which will produce results in 20 minutes

You can jump-start our 2011 plans and squeeze in a last-minute tax deduction for 2010 by donating to PWA today online.  It’s completely safe, and you’ll receive an email receipt for your tax records seconds after your donation is processed by our provider, Network For Good.

Please go to our home page – and click on the donate now button on the right.  You can give through Network for Good or Paypal – it’s very convenient and safe!  Your contribution will help prevent the spread of HIV in 2011!

Thank you!  Wishing you a safe and Happy New Year.

Julie Meyer, Executive Director

We are grateful for the 4 years of support from the Winston-Salem Foundation which helped sustain and grow our HIV Medical Case Management Program in Forsyth County.  We truly could not have realized the success of this program without the Foundation’s support.

Medical Case Management services help link HIV positive clients to a continuum of health and socail services.  These services ensure that clients with complex needs receive timely, coordinated services, assisting clients to function independently and productively as long as possible.  Medical Case Management is client centered, focused on empowering the client, goal oriented, flexible, culturally sensitive, efficient, cost-effective, easily accessible and calls for collaboration amongst the community of HIV providers in our service region. 

We were also able to realize another dream – that of launching a targeted HIV prevention program – Many Men Many Voices or 3MV.   We held 3 sessions which significantly impacted 34 men.   3MV targets young African-American MSMs – men who have sex with men. 

This CDC sanctioned HIV prevention program  provided risk reduction education for this population.   At present, MSMs represent the highest number of annual new HIV infections as well as the largest group of people living with HIV/AIDS in the South.   The 3MV curriculum consists of a 7-session group-level intervention program designed to prevent HIV and sexually transmitted disease among black men who have sex with men.  The participants will increase their knowledge about risk reduction, increase their ability to assess their personal risk for HIV disease, and embrace the importance of use and/or negotiating the use of condoms.  HIV and STD testing will be offered at the end of the sessions. 

Positive Wellness Alliance would like to again thank The Winston-Salem Foundation for the provision of funds which directly impacted persons infected with HIV disease as well as curtail the spread of HIV disease through prevention.  Their belief in our work has allowed us to continue meeting the needs of our clients and educate the African-American MSM population!  Thank you!  You have made a difference in many lives!

Our scope of work will impact lives in Davidson, Davie, Rowan and Iredell Counties.  We will provide HOPWA vouchers – tenent based rental assistance (TBRA) and short term rent, mortgage and utility (STRMU) emergency assistance.  Both programs will positively impact clients and their families.

We look forward to working with clients and agencies in our region as we strive to make a positive difference in many lives!

* Continue development and implementation of marketing plan to increase awareness of the agency services and needs.
* Agency uses good fiscal management and utilizes funding frugally.
* Agency is extremely proactive in fundraising.
* Board is diversified and heavily involved in the agency.
* Agency is proactive in educational efforts.

Positive Wellness Alliance will continue fundraising efforts, grant writing, and alternative ways to raise funds as well as awareness.  Thanks to all those who donate to United Way of Davidson County.  Your support helps keep non-profit organizations operating for the greater good of our community.

Janet, a single grandmother, was diagnosed with HIV at the age of 49.  The diagnosis was a huge blow to her self-esteem.  Being honest with her family proved fruitless; she quickly lost most familial support and her so-called friends shunned her. 

After moving frequently from state to state and finally ending an abusive relationship, emotional distress led to her wanting a positive life-changing experience.  Janet packed her bags and moved to Lexington to help take care of her two grandchildren. She was without a job or a home, and she believed she had no resources to help her find and travel to medical care.  

With her health spiraling downward and once again in an abusive relationship, Janet ended up in a homeless shelter.  She was desperate for any help she could get.  She was told of our agency, Positive Wellness Alliance, by a staff member at her shelter. 

By the time she enlisted our help, Janet’s health was fading quickly and her few resources would soon expire. Our HIV Case Managers were able to help her set and achieve tangible goals. 

Positive Wellness Alliance helped develop a care plan, coordinated medical services, found a service to provide transitional housing, and another to help supply her with food.  We also counseled her spiritually and emotionally. These services not only benefitted Janet, but her grandchildren as well.  

Within nine months, Janet had met her goals.  She had moved from transitional housing to a house she rented herself.  She had single-handedly obtained a job with one of the social services agencies where she had previously been helped.  Life for Janet was going well. 

A few months ago, Janet returned to our office for her quarterly review.  She came with flowers in hand and presented them to her Case Manager.  With tears in her eyes, she thanked him profusely for all of his help; for holding her hand to help guide her, for being her friend when she needed one, and for helping her find social services which changed her life.  Her health and her life are finally back on track. 

Not all of our clients’ stories are successful accounts such as Janet’s.  Many of our client’s will continue to face hardships every day, whether from the stigma of their illness, from their lack of resources, or from their medical conditions.   With your generosity towards Positive Wellness Alliance, every day we can continue to help our clients with emergency relief, medical services, and emotional and mental counseling. 

Together we can make a difference in the lives of many in our community.  Along with our 31 United Way of Davidson County partner agencies, Positive Wellness Alliance puts your generosity to work every day.  Please help United Way by designating your contributions towards a healthier and kinder community.  Contributions of money, property, equipment, and volunteer time are greatly appreciated by the United Way partnerships. 

Together, we do make a difference! 

Julie Meyer, Executive Director

Positive Wellness Alliance

In August 2011,  for HIV/AIDS Case Management in Forsyth County we received a $9,500 grant from The Adam Foundation, Inc.  The Adam Foundation promotes the identity, strength, and well-being of the local LGBT community and supports organizations serving persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Our area Davidson County office, which also specializes in HIV/AIDS Case Management, proudly announces the receipt of $3,000 from The Guilford Green Foundation!  The Guilford Green Foundation is committed to providing financial support to organizations that impact the visibility and success of the LGBT community.

Positive Wellness Alliance would like to take this opportunity to thank each of the Foundations for the provision of funds which will ultimately impact persons infected with HIV/AIDS.  With their generous contributions, Positive Wellness Alliance will continue to meet the needs of our current and future clients.  Thank you!

Dining For Friends raises money to continue offering services to people living with HIV disease in our community.  This is an easy way to spread our message of compassion and solidarity in the comfortable surroundings of our homes.  This opportunity for fellowship encourages communication about HIV disease as well as encouraging our supporters to show their commitment ot this courageous battle to the community at large.  And finally, we can raise awareness and increase community support for people living with HIV disease.

We encourage you to contact us about this exciting opportunity to help!  We can easily be reached at 336-248-4646 or my email at pwalexnc@lexcominc.net.  We look forward to hearing from you soon!