Positive Change in The Wall Street Journal

PHOTO: HOLLY PICKETT FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

We have some amazing news to share. Recently, The Wall Street Journal published an article describing how The Alliance for Positive Change has transformed our programs and services to reach more New Yorkers.
  
You can read the full story here.
 
Over the last 27 years, the Alliance has been meeting the healthcare needs of New Yorkers in need so they can feel better, live better, and do better.
 
Today’s article is a testament to the hard work and commitment of so many people – our staff, Board, Peers, and partners like you – who have taken the first steps to bring Positive Change to their lives.

There is still much more work ahead. HIV/AIDS is still with us, and we are working hard to End the Epidemic. The opioid epidemic is still impacting many homes and communities, and we are seeing greater numbers of people walk through our doors seeking help.

DECLARACIÓN DEL 15 DE OCTUBRE, DÍA NACIONAL LATINO PARA LA CONCIENTIZACIÓN DEL SIDA

Sharen I. Duke, Directora Ejecutiva Fundadora y Presidenta de The Alliance for Positive Change, hizo pública la siguiente declaración con respecto al Día Nacional Latino para la Concientización del SIDA el 15 de octubre:

“En este día de concientización nacional, reiteramos nuestro compromiso con la prevención, realización de pruebas, tratamientos y cuidados de los Latinos y Latinas neoyorkinos. Las comunidades latinas de nuestra ciudad se ven afectadas de manera desproporcionada por el VIH/SIDA, debido a una variedad de factores convergentes, como la barrera idiomática, la homofobia y la transfobia y la falta de seguro médico”.

“En The Alliance, donde más de un tercio de nuestros participantes son Latinos y Latinas, luchamos para destruir estos obstáculos y lograr que las personas estén mejor, se sientan mejor, vivan mejor”.

“Es importante para nosotros acabar con la epidemia del VIH/SIDA en todas nuestras comunidades. Sin embargo, en el seno de la comunidad latina existe una gran urgencia en revertir una tendencia inquietante: un aumento en los diagnósticos de VIH en la población latina de Nueva York, de un 32% en 2014 a un 36% en 2015 –una taza más alta que la de todos los neoyorquinos”.

“Sin embargo, tenemos noticias prometedoras. Un nuevo reporte del Departamento de Salud e Higiene Mental de la ciudad de Nueva York publicó que los adolescentes y adultos latinos están más dispuestos a hacerse la prueba de VIH que los no-latinos, y que 75% de los nuevos diagnósticos recibieron tratamiento a tiempo, aún si 22% de los adultos latinos no tienen seguro médico”.

“En este día de concientización, alienta a tus amigos, a tu familia y a tus colegas a que den el primer paso, que visiten una de nuestras instalaciones y se hagan la prueba del VIH. Juntos podemos acabar con este epidemia”.

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STATEMENT ON NATIONAL LATINX AIDS AWARENESS DAY ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15

Sharen I. Duke, Founding Executive Director and CEO of The Alliance for Positive Change, released the following statement in recognition of National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day on Sunday, October 15:

“On this national day of awareness, we reinforce our commitment to prevention, testing, treatment, and care for Latinx New Yorkers. Our city’s Latinx communities are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS due to a variety of converging factors, such as language barriers, homophobia and transphobia, and lack of health insurance.

"At the Alliance, where more than 1/3 of our program participants are Latinx, we strive to dismantle these obstacles so people can feel better, live better, and do better.

"It’s important to us to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic among all communities, and there is great urgency among the Latinx community to obtain tailored treatment and care. New HIV diagnoses are on the rise in New York City among Latinx, up from 32 percent in 2014 to 36 percent in 2015 – higher than the rate among all New Yorkers.

"Nevertheless, there is some promising news. A new report by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene noted that Latinx teens and adults are more likely than non-Latinx to get tested for HIV, and 75 percent of the newly-diagnosed receive timely care, even though 22 percent of Latinx adults are uninsured.

"On this awareness day, encourage your friends, family members and coworkers to take a first step – to visit one of our sites and get tested. Together, we can end this epidemic.”

In Response to Recent Natural Disasters

The natural disasters that have recently devastated regions of our country, the Caribbean and Mexico have impacted so many lives, including members of our community in New York City.

At the Alliance, our hearts ache for those who have lost their possessions, homes, livelihoods, and family members. Our Alliance community knows how it feels to face challenges, big and small, and we encourage anyone who has struggled to live better and do better to help out where you can.

There is an incredible need for support in the recovery process in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

We are with you during these calamitous times, and we share in your pain.

If you are looking for ways to help, we recommend several organizations that are on the frontlines of recovery:

To support LGBTQ and HIV-positive Puerto Ricans, consider contributing to Puerto Rico Para Tod@s: www.prparatodos.org/activate

Friends of Caritas Cubana provides services for those living with HIV/AIDS and emergency relief for victims of hurricanes and other natural disasters: www.friendsofcaritascubana.org

The Montrose Center has set up a fund to help LGBTQ community members displaced by Hurricane Harvey: www.montrosecenter.org/hub/lgbtq-hurricane-harvey-disaster-relief-fund

Finally, 100% of the donations to Global Giving’s Mexico Earthquake Relief Fund will go towards immediate relief to survivors, as well as longer-term assistance to help residents recover and rebuild: www.globalgiving.org/projects/mexico-earthquake-relief-fund

Statement on Overdose Awareness Day

The following is a statement from Sharen I. Duke, Executive Director and CEO of The Alliance for Positive Change, in regards to International Overdose Awareness Day:

"The New York Times reports that U.S. drug overdose deaths in 2016 most likely exceeded 59,000. More than enough to fill Yankee Stadium.

That staggering finding be a wakeup call that our country – and our city and state – are facing an unparalleled epidemic as Americans consume more opioids than any other country in the world.

In fact, New York City has become an epicenter of the epidemic. New data exposes how widespread use is becoming: there were 1,374 confirmed overdose deaths in New York City in 2016 – a shocking 46% increase over 2015.

Thursday, August 31 marks International Overdose Awareness Day, an opportunity to raise awareness about opioid abuse and reduce the stigma of drug-related death. We are stepping up so New Yorkers can rise up.

The Alliance for Positive Change is on the frontlines of the epidemic: we are preventing overdoses by offering free Naloxone trainings at our Lower East Side Harm Reduction Center (LESHRC). Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a medication that reverses overdoses from opioids, including heroin and prescription painkillers. By training more New Yorkers to administer this life-saving drug to family members, friends, and colleagues, we can help stave off deadly overdoses.

These trainings are offered year-round and are just one aspect of our clinical intervention and recovery services – including one-on-one counseling and coaching, education, syringe exchange services, housing resources, and HIV/HCV testing – to help New Yorkers lead healthier lives. To be trained on Naloxone, please visit alliance.nyc/leshrc, call LESHRC at 212-226-6333, or visit 25 Allen Street.

We are just as committed, as we have been since our founding 27 years ago, to supporting those who are struggling with severe health conditions including addiction. At our LESHRC, we provide a judgment-free space for services that mitigate the harmful effects of substance use disorders and reduce overdose deaths.

Drug overdoses are the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 50; it’s clear that we need humane solutions to reduce the harm caused by addiction. Only then will we see positive change – and that is what we what are committed to."

NYN Media Podcast: Engaging Peer Support

Founding Executive Director and CEO Sharen Duke talks with New York Nonprofit Media's Dan Rosenblum about how health care advances have changed the Alliance and how our peer education model helps our clients.

Positive Change on CUNY-TV

Founding Executive Director Sharen Duke discusses our 25+ year history of changing lives in a "One To One" interview with Sheryl McCarthy. In this insightful interview, you can learn how The Alliance has evolved, broadened its breadth of services, and merged with the Lower East Side Harm Reduction Center. You'll also find out about our free and confidential HIV testing, and successful peer training program.

Now Enrolling: Peer Certification Training

Attention! Attention!

Interested in earning your Peer Certification? Enroll in our upcoming Peer Education Training!

Dates: June 5th – July 21st, 2017 (3 days a week)

Eligible applicants must have: 

• AmidaCare Health Plan Insurance plan
• Completed a foundational training (like Exponents, ARRIVE or Alliance’s Peer Recovery Education program)
• Have an identified (infected with) lived experience of HIV or HCV or a history of substance use/or accessed harm reduction services

If you are interested, please contact Deborah Yuelles at 212-645-0875 ext. 313 or you can email deborah@alliance.nyc.

In Response to President Trump’s Proposed Budget Cuts

Since our founding days, we have been staunchly committed to helping people through some of the toughest moments of their lives. Many of those we serve are dealing with chronic conditions such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, diabetes, substance use, and mental health, but have had limited resources available to help them lead long and productive lives.

The proposed federal budget, released yesterday, will inevitably diminish dreams and shorten lives, curtailing access for our most vulnerable population to programs and services that have kept them in their jobs, in their homes, and on their feet.

We urge our elected officials from both parties to consider the devastating and disproportionate impact that these proposed cuts will have on your constituents.

Every day, we assist people struggling to achieve access - and success - in their lives. Yet, these cuts would knock them down just as they are trying to lift themselves up.

Spring cleaning? Donate to the Alliance!

At the Alliance, we’re helping your fellow New Yorkers in crisis—and that makes our needs very concrete. As we help many of our clients get off the street and back on track, we’re always in need of gently worn or new clothing (particularly for men) and accessories.

Donations can be dropped off Monday-Friday at the Alliance’s Midtown office at 64 W 35th Street, 3rd floor. Call 212-645-0875 or email questions@alliance.nyc with any questions.