National Nutrition Month: Spotlight on Nutrition Services at Alliance

“Type 2 diabetes runs in my family, I’m a sugar addict, and my feet and ankles started to swell up recently, so I soaked my feet, and went to the doctor,” one Alliance program participant said at a recent nutrition services group meeting. “She’s going to try to change my eating habits.”

“No, she’s not going to change your eating habits,” said Edwin Krales, better known at Alliance as “Dr. Broccoli”. “You are going to change your eating habits.”

“That’s right,” the participant, nodded.

During these nutrition services sessions, held weekly at Alliance’s Midtown Central office, Dr. Broccoli asks folks to share stories of their eating habits and nutrition goals. Some participants are eager to talk while others prefer to listen and learn during the hour-long sessions.

Dr. Broccoli pointed out that excess sugar has a negative effect on everyone’s bodies: “There is a neuroplasticity* to our genes. If we are predisposed to diabetes, can we reduce our risk of developing it with a specific diet? The answer is yes, and that reduces the risks of the gene expressing itself.”

Dr. Broccoli arranged to meet with the participant after the session to discuss specific options and share a sugar reduction sheet he had created, which is similar to calendars runners use when training for a race, building up progressively, week over week.

Alliance Peer Shirley LaRoche also had been attending Alliance nutrition classes for over 10 years. “My father used to pour sugar in his water, and even his milk,” Shirley said. “It’s milk, but it would turn grey because of all the sugar he was putting in, and I didn’t know any better myself. Now I don’t do that anymore.”

Shirley started coming to Alliance in 2009, and prior to becoming a Peer would walk over to Alliance during breaks from her job to attend Dr. Broccoli’s class every week.

“Now I’m thinking, if I eat this rice tonight, I’m definitely not adding potatoes,” Shirley said, “and instead of buying any iceberg lettuce [a notoriously nutrient-free food] I can eat some kale.”

Dr. Broccoli, who has been offering nutrition services with Alliance for over 20 years, was given the nickname Dr. Broccoli at an outreach event he led with another AIDS organization in the South Bronx for almost 30 years, because he constantly promoting eating veggies. He would schlep hours out of his way to bring fresh veggies to these outreach events, many of which were held in food deserts, areas without reliable access to produce.

Providing consistent access to fresh and healthy produce is a priority for Alliance. Dr. Broccoli notes, “The factor of social pressure is extremely important here. If you are trying to make a change in your diet, will you have support from your social structure? Will you have access to healthy foods?”

March is National Nutrition Month, and Alliance held three pantry events across all locations, on March 16, 17, and 30, which served over 300 large bags of produce.

Charles Waters, an Alliance participant for many years, met Dr. Broccoli at an AIDS Momentum Project in the Bronx over 20 years ago, and they have a jovial relationship.

“I like my KitKats,” he began, as Dr. Broccoli started shaking his head. “But when I’m having them, I think of Dr. Broccoli and I’m more mindful of what I’m going to eat the rest of the day, the rest of the week.”

“I’m more mindful of what I’m putting in my body because of him,” Charles added.

Charles wanted it added in this story that he has been HIV-positive for many years. It’s important to him to be open and represent people living with HIV to share his own experience in the hopes of helping others.

During the second nutrition session of the day, the group wrapped up its voluntary nutrition check-in and Charles transitioned the discussion to COVID-19, which the group agreed was truly “the second pandemic” of their lifetime, after HIV/AIDS.

The conversation became more scientific, discussing how HIV is transmitted through blood and body fluids, while the coronavirus is transmitted through droplets. After the meeting, most participants arranged to check out services with Alliance staff and Peers, or hung out to catch up.

Due to their popularity, weekly nutrition services meetings are open only to enrolled Alliance participants, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Participants interested in attending an upcoming session, or scheduling a one-one-one nutrition counseling meeting with Dr. Broccoli, are encouraged to email Abeer Naseem at abeer@alliance.nyc.

Dr. Broccoli and Charles Water

*Neuroplasticity: The capacity of the brain to change its connections and behavior in response to new information, sensory stimulation, development, damage or dysfunction

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney Secures $1M in Federal Funding for Alliance

As reported last Summer, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney requested $1M in federal for Alliance for Positive Change, and on Tuesday, March 22, she publicly celebrated securing it, on Tuesday.

Alliance is one of 10 community organizations in Maloney’s district will get $6.3 million in project funding requests that Maloney allocated in the fiscal year 2022 appropriations legislation. She was joined by Alliance Executive Director/CEO Sharen I. Duke, Alliance Deputy Executive Director/COO Brenda Starks-Ross, and Alliance Director of Administration Brooke Brailey.

“It’s unheard of that everyone got all of their projects funded,” Jessica Walker from the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce said.

Photo by Dean Moses

Women's Chat and Craft Group Featured on NY1 and NY1 Noticias

News NY1 and NY1 Noticias captured a hands-on arts project and showcased the impact of Alliance’s programs for women. Alliance’s weekly Women’s Chat & Craft Group on Tuesday, March 15 hosted a rock-painting event with a dozen attendees. Prevention Manager Maria Madrid spoke about Alliance’s work with NY1 Noticias (mira en Espanol) and Director of Women’s Services Dr. Erin McKinney-Prupis spoke with NY1 (watch in English.)

Alliance celebrates all the women who lead positive change in our communities and who come together to support one another, connect, and make their voices heard.

Alliance custom social media posts and call scripts to NYS officials to pass Safer Consumption Services Act expanding OPCs

We need your assistance raising awareness about the urgency of authorizing Overdose Prevention Centers (OPCs) and saving lives in New York State.

Overdose death rates are at an unprecedented high in the United States and New York State. The first authorized OPCs in the United States opened in New York City on November 30, 2021. Hundreds of lives have already been saved in the NYC facilities, proving that they can and must be expanded in high needs areas across New York.

In order to do so, New York State must pass the Safer Consumption Services Act (S603/A224), also known as SCSA. SCSA allows local health departments and the New York State Department of Health to authorize community-based organizations to operate OPCs. This legislation extends immunity to participants, staff members, and property owners from arrest, charges, and prosecution for criminal offenses and penalties for their participation or involvement in approved OPC programs.

Here’s how you can help:

1) Call your Senator and Assembly Member and urge them to co-sponsor Bill S603/A224. You can find your representatives phone number by clicking the links (find your Senator and Assembly Member) and entering your address. Here is a sample script when making your calls:

Hi my name is ________ and I am calling about Overdose Prevention Centers – also known as OPCs – and saving lives in New York State. Hundreds of lives have already been saved in the two NYC OPCs, proving that they can and must be expanded in high needs areas across New York.

In order to do so, New York State must pass the Safer Consumption Services Act and I am calling to ask you co-sponsor Bill S603/A224.

OPCs are controlled health care settings where people can more safely use pre-obtained drugs under clinical supervision and receive health care, counseling, and referrals to health and social services, including drug treatment. OPCs are important because they prevent fatal overdose especially for high-risk populations.

As a service provider working on the front lines of New York overdose crisis, I urge the New York State legislature to urgently pass S603/A224 to authorize the Department of Health to work with local health departments to implement Overdose Prevention Centers in high need areas across New York State.

Thank you.

2) Tweet your support for S603/A224 and post across social media, either writing the name of your State Senator and Assembly member, or, if they have a public social media page, tagging them. We have two draft posts below, which can be customized however you see fit:

A) Since NYC opened #OverdosePreventionCenters, hundreds of overdoses have been reversed and countless New Yorkers have received important health referrals. [OUR SENATOR] and [YOUR ASSEMBLY MEMBER] please pass S603/A224 #SaferConsumptionServicesAct

B) NYC #OverdosePreventionCenters have saved hundreds of lives, proving that they can and must be expanded in high needs areas across NY. [YOUR SENATOR] and [YOUR ASSEMBLY MEMBER] please pass S603/A224 #SaferConsumptionServicesAct

3) If you, a family member or someone you serve has been personally impacted by the overdose crisis you can also sign the letter of support for Bill (S603/A224). Please note, Alliance has already signed on as an organization so this would be a personal sign on.

Alliance Recognizes Black History Month 2022

Black History Month started as Negro History Week in 1926. Author, journalist, and historian Carter G. Woodson wrote that “If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world.”

Much of the history of America has been in trying to strip Black people of connections to their rich heritage. As Maya Angelou put it "The more you know of your history, the more liberated you are."

To that end, Alliance is proud to celebrate Black history not just in February, but year-round. Alliance has asked staff, Peers, and program participants to honor some of their Black heroes, and share why they inspire them. Read about some of these Black role models @thealliance_nyc.

Kisha Dodson—a respiratory therapist at a VA hospital in Florida, mother of Alliance’s own Ashley.

Dr. Shirley Jackson—the first African American woman to receive a doctorate from M.I.T., and the first African American to become a Commissioner of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Ella Fitzgerald—The “Queen of Jazz,” the most popular female jazz singer in the U.S. for decades, winner of 14 Grammy Awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Bessie Coleman—”The Only Race Aviatrix in the World,” the first Black woman, and the first Native American woman to hold a pilot’s license. She opened an aviation school to teach Black women to fly, and break down barriers as she did.

Brenda Starks-Ross, Waverly Fair, and Jean Pierre-Louis—Alliance’s very own Ardith Cornelius wanted to recognize the roles that Alliance’s COO Ms. Brenda, and Waverly and Jean of the Peer program, played in helping her make change in her own life, and helping others. Thank you Ardith, Ms. Brenda, Waverly and Jean!

Black history matters year-round, and our pages will continue to spotlight Black leaders year-round. If you would like to recognize someone, please email communications@alliance.nyc

Role Model Stories: Annias M.

I am a 57 year old black gay male living with HIV. When I was 25 years old my mother passed away. When that happened it put me into a deep dark depression.

I was also infected unknowingly with HIV after my partner told me I should be tested after he was told by a prior partner that he was positive. At the end of the day I think he already knew that he was positive and never cared to share with me after we had intercourse.

At first my test came back inclusive. So I tested again 3 months later and the results were Positive, and that ended the relationship.

I have always dabbled with cocaine but wasn’t introduced to crack cocaine until I met someone new. This relationship was toxic for me mentally and physically but I never fought back because I would have wound up in jail for murder. The last straw in the relationship happened when he burned my face with a hot iron.

I wanted help so I went to Bronx Lebanon Hospital and was transferred into this program in Alabama called Self Discovery. The 30 days I was there it felt like paradise. Being treated with kindness and passion. 

After a couple of weeks in the program we were even allowed to go out and attend other NA meetings. I didn’t want to leave but I knew I my life was back home in New York. 

It wasn’t too long before I got back home and I repeated the same behavior. I spiraled out of control. I called my cousins to come rescue me. I couldn’t bear to live like this anymore. I relapsed once more but this time I was sick of being sick and tired.

During my relapses I realized I never fought my real demon. Something I have never told anyone. I was molested at the age of 16. Once I was able to admit it and say it out loud that demon was defeated and the next one was my addiction. I was able to beat that as well and finally able to live a happy healthy life.

I graduated from the Arrive Program and in 2010 one of my friends introduced me to ASCNYC which is now Alliance for Positive Change. I enrolled in the HOPE Program and soon after that I became a Peer and then within 2 years at Alliance I was offered an opportunity to become a senior peer liaison.

Women from TWIST and My Sister's Room Enjoy Wicked

Last month, the Women’s Health Initiative Program led a trip to see Wicked on Broadway. The trip was specifically for participants in Alliance’s TWIST program (Transgender Women Involved in Strategies for Transformation, a CDC-modeled peer-led program), and My Sister's Room​, our weekly support group for transgender women.

Lexii Foxx, an Alliance Peer, invited a group of trans women to attend. For many, it would be their first Broadway show, and this wasn’t just any show, but one of Broadway’s most popular shows ever! It also was the first production of Wicked to feature a trans actress, Alexandra Billings as Madame Morrible.

“They felt inspired to see a lead Trans actress, I most definitely think this was one of the benefits of visibility for the whole experience,” said Lexii, who, despite putting so much time into the planning of the event, was unable to attend after testing positive for COVID-19. “Everyone was really happy, thankful, they love the songs, everyone described the night as magical, beautiful, and elegant.”

“It was awesome to see the impact on the rest of the girls, most of them hadn’t ever been to a Broadway show,” said Alana Martin, a program participant and TV and film actress who had always wanted to see Wicked. “I had a beautiful time, that show was so popular when I was younger so it was nice to see it, especially this historic cast with this group of girls.”

All seats were in the 5th or 6th row. Dr. Erin McKinney-Prupis, Director of Women’s Services, felt that “everyone had an incredible time.”

TWIST was designed to provide a framework for transgender women to share their lived experiences as a means of recognizing and valuing their social and cultural resilience.

Alana spoke about the important subject matter in Wicked. “Female friendship is so important, especially in the trans community, so there were a lot of tears, happy tears.”

It was Gracey Fernandes’ first time on Broadway. “That experience was one of the best I had ever had! It was mind-blowing, it was thrilling, it was ecstatic. It was just what I needed to revive my mental state,” she said. A recent immigrant—she came to the U.S. in late 2020—the play lit a fire in her to pursue seeing more theatrical productions.

“To have the stage light up, and the choreography, and the lighting effects—and the background was spectacular—it was like seeing a movie being filmed. It was just awesome,” she said. Billings, in particular “was a masterpiece. That woman was magnanimous. She was featured often in the play and wasn’t just a cameo role, so that was cool. There wasn’t a flaw, everybody was spot on, the music was serenading. I saw people crying. I wanted to cry, it was so touching. It was the best.”

Fully recovered from COVID-19, Lexii takes pride in organizing what was “a very captivating mechanism for this group and moments that they can remember for the rest of their life.”

Events like this trip to Wicked are only possible because of generous donations to Alliance, and TWIST in particular. You can make a tax-deductible donation to Alliance’s TWIST program today by visiting this link.

Role Model Stories: Michael R.

I am 40 year old gay man living with HIV. When I was 25 I was in a committed relationship. What I remember was that we always liked to frequent the bars and clubs.

One particular night when my boyfriend had gone to the bathroom, a guy came up to me and whispered “please be careful with him because he is HIV+” and walked away. I confronted my boyfriend when he returned. He told me not to pay him any mind and that they had a falling out.

Six months went by and all was well, until he told me he wasn’t feeling well and took a trip to the doctors. It was there that his doctor recommended he get tested for HIV. A week went by and the doctor called him to come in to his office for the results. The results came back positive and he told me that I should get tested as well. I took his advice and the results were negative but the doctor advised me to come back three months later.

I decided to stay with my boyfriend to be supportive and make sure he took care of himself. After all, we were in a loving supportive relationship. After three months, I went to get retested. This time my result came back positive. I was confused and scared, but denial took those both over. At the time, my doctor advised me to not take medications for HIV.

After being there for my boyfriend while he has going through his own diagnosis, I found out during the relationship that I wasn’t the only one who he was intimate with. So it was in our best interest to part ways. It was hard for me because I was still in denial about my diagnosis.

Two years went by and it was time to take medication. It was not an easy road, as I was not good with being adherent to medication. Adherent issues made me resistant to my medication. After that I decided to be serious with my medication because I did not want to be defeated.

My doctor advised me to get case management to help me navigate my diagnosis. My care team gave me adherence tips and accompanied me to the doctor. That helped me a lot, and gave me hope and a new lease on life.

My case worker suggested that I check out Alliance for Positive Change to go for social support. It was there I met other HIV+ individuals and finally felt like myself again. While I was there I was told about their Peer program and an upcoming training called PREP (Peer Recovery Education Program).

PREP was an intensive 8 week training that allowed me to prepare myself to become a Peer educator and advocate for my community. I interviewed to be in cycle 50 and graduated in 2018.

After I graduated, Alliance hired me to work as a Peer for Health Homes case management. The advice my case worker gave me to come to Alliance was a blessing. I was able to come terms with my diagnosis and now I help others as well.​

Mentoring Month at Alliance: Care Management & Community Engagement

National Mentoring Month is a time to recognize the role that mentors play in the lives of their mentees. Mentors come in many forms, and at Alliance, there is a cyclical nature of mentorship, where mentees become mentors to others. 

Check out our inspiring mentor-mentee pairs from our Care Management, Treatment Adherence, and Community Engagement programs!

LUIS AND MOLLY

Luis Viera told us that his mentor, Molly Kellman, has always been there to provide positive feedback and sound advice during and after his fieldwork. “While working in the office, she always provides the opportunity to assist on important caseloads and also take trainings or certificates.” This has made Luis confident enough to share his story in POZ and for World AIDS Day in AM New York. 

Luis Viera

Molly is “amazed by how well he connects with the clients. Luis is incredibly self-motivated and uses his experiences to work with clients and our staff with compassion and empathy.”

DENISE AND IVAN

Denise Jones says her supervisor Ivan Lopez has many great qualities but “the ones that made the biggest impact are that he is respectful, available, and a great listener. He gives honest and direct feedback and I love his nonjudgmental approach that he shows with me and all our clients.”

Ivan began mentoring in 2016 and has been mentoring Denise for over two years. “What started out with just myself and Denise has now grown across several Ryan Clinics and I could not have done it without her compassion and assistance. She at times mentors me in being more patient with myself and continues to be a shining example of professionalism.”

LUIS, EVELYN, and DAYRIN

Luis Velazquez II has grown under the mentorship of Evelyn English. “Ms. English has helped me focus on my writing since my first day with her in 2018. I’ve become confident in writing my reports because of her patience.” 

And he adds, “Ms. Vargas has shown is our team lead and values everyone’s input. She has a flair for multitasking, even while on the phone, which has made for interesting conversations.” Luis spoke about how her patience and gentle nature are something program participants often comment on. 

And it’s a two-way street. Ms. Vargas feels Luis has grown tremendously since they began working together in October 2019. “Working with Luis is great. He accompanies our clients to the HRA office, provides translation services, assists them with housing needs, and most importantly, they feel COMFORTABLE speaking to Luis. It will be impossible to complete all tasks on time without having Luis as my Peer. I have been blessed.”

SHIRLEY AND ARIANNE

Shirley considers herself fortunate to have Arianne Watson, Director of Outreach and Community Engagement as a mentor. “She motivates and encourages me to acquire new skills in addition to giving sound advice. Thank you, Arianne!”

Arianne (left) with Shirley (right) and Shirley’s grandchildren, who came to multiple Alliance holiday events through the years (pre-pandemic)

Arianne told us that “Shirley is a pleasure to be around. She is gentle, kind, and joyous to everyone she meets. She strives to be a positive role model by continuing her education, attending trainings, and absorbing as much knowledge as possible.”

DONALD AND SAMUEL

Donald Ensley called Samuel Rodriguez “my mentor for the last ten years and like a father figure, friend, confidant, and very supportive. I have learned and have matured in ways I thought couldn’t be possible, thanks to the support and direction of my mentor, Samuel.”

Samuel recalls how Donald has grown over the years. “Donald at first was so quiet and would check in with me before he did anything. I told Donald that I wanted him to come up with the topic for the group. He would come up with a topic and I would ask him questions on how he would start the group and how he would keep the group going. It took some time but Donald now runs our Treatment Chat group every Tuesday, by himself.” 

“Donald now makes decisions and can run the Pharmacy Access Center by himself, without second-guessing himself. As a Mentor, it is a great feeling seeing someone grow and become independent. But as a mentor, you need to be open because Peers have so much information and they definitely help you do your job. They know how things are run, here at Alliance. One has to be able to listen to the Peers - so it has become a win–win!”