Disciples HIV-AIDS Ministry of Indiana Receives State Contract, Grant Funding

Disciples HIV-AIDS Ministry, Inc. (DHAM) of Indiana, has announced a contract in the amount of $30,000 with the Indiana State Department of Health to provide HIV prevention education, interventional services and testing in the Wabash Valley of western central Indiana. Additionally, DHAM will receive grants totaling $40,000 from private business organizations.

This partnership is a culmination of an 18 month joint project between The AIDS Ministry Network of Disciples Home Missions and members of Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Terre Haute, Ind. When members of Central Christian Church noticed a gap in HIV/STD prevention education, they reached out to Wabash Valley PATH, a local not-for-profit agency in Terre Haute, and Disciples Home Missions.

The AIDS Ministry Network worked with the group providing guidance and technical assistance. “The AIDS Ministry Network helped us realize our mission. We received help writing our mission statement and by-laws, incorporating, receiving our not-for-profit designation from the IRS, and assistance with writing our first state proposal” stated Mary Seybold, a Prevention Specialist and certified HIV Counselor and Tester.

“The state contract and private funding are examples of how faith based organizations, government entities, and private business can find synergy in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States” Jody Grieb, Volunteer Director of the AIDS Ministry Network, told participants at an HIV Prevention Training recently at the offices of the Christian Church in Indiana.

Disciples HIV-AIDS Ministry will provide education in the form of seminars and workgroups in Clay, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo Counties in Indiana. Staff will also conduct the Popular Opinion Leader intervention.

Popular Opinion Leader (POL) is a community-level HIV prevention intervention.  The program is designed to identify, enlist, and train peer opinion leaders to encourage safer sexual norms and behaviors within their social networks of friends and acquaintances through risk reduction conversations.

Private grants from Starbucks, Walgreens, and other donors will enable DHAM to provide testing through the six county area using their mobile HIV testing unit. DHAM is staffed by a full time program manager, and utilizes volunteers and AmeriCorps members from Indiana State University Sycamore Corps.

The AIDS Ministry Network of Disciples Home Missions is available to assist congregations with an existing HIV-AIDS Ministry realize their potential or to help grassroots organizations like Disciples HIV-AIDS Ministry of Indiana with capacity building programs.

AIDS Network Offers Testing, Education in Indianapolis

On Saturday, December 12, 2008 the AIDS Ministry Network of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) traveled to the John H. Boner Community Center in Indianapolis to conduct free anonymous HIV testing and prevention education focusing on HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Women In Motion, a not-for-profit community based organization in Indianapolis, sponsored a ‘Teen Extravaganza’ where attendees heard from several speakers on topics such as postponing sex and the consequences associated with failure to postpone sex, namely HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The event also included a talent show which showcased vocals, spoken word, and original artwork. Pamela Goodwin, Founder and Executive Director of Women in Motion, contacted the AIDS Ministry Network through the Indiana Counselors and Testers Support Network website, www.IndianaTesters.org and Wabash Valley PATH of Terre Haute, Indiana.  Indiana Testers is co-sponsored by the AIDS Ministry Network of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

While staff from the Marion County Health Departments Bell Flower Clinic tested for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia, the AIDS Ministry Network tested for HIV using a rapid test that takes only 15 minutes. The participating organizations offered counseling to individuals and provided brochures on HIV and STIs to youth as well as parents.

Jody Grieb, a volunteer with the AMNCC, reported that 37 people were tested for HIV and an additional 18 were tested for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea.

The AIDS Minsitry Network is available to help bring a faith based, comprehensive HIV/STI prevention program and free anonymous HIV testing through member groups to congregations and other organizations.

Member organizations of the AMNCC promote a ‘Sex Positive’ approach, encouraging abstinence from behaviors that could lead to pregnancy and HIV/STI infection.  These member organizations also believe that taking sex out of the closet and talking about it openly and without judgment will lead to fewer new infections of HIV and STIs, fewer unplanned pregnancies, fewer hate motivated crimes and less discrimination.

Questions about the AMNCC and how your congregation or organization can get involved in comprehensive health education can be directed to Jody Grieb: by email at jgrieb@wvpath.orgor by phone at 812.243.6402.