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Getting an AIDS test at the drugstore could become as common as a flu shot or blood pressure check, if a new pilot program takes off. The $1.2 million program will offer the free rapid HIV tests at pharmacies and in-store clinics in 24 cities and rural communities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced. “We believe we can reach more people by making testing more accessible and reduce the stigma associated with HIV,” Dr. Kevin Fenton, who oversees the agency’s HIV prevention programs, said in a statement. The tests are already available at seven places, including Washington, …

HiTOPS was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from FACT Bucks County to implement HIV prevention and risk reduction education programs, as well as a $500 grant from the Zonta Club of Trenton/Mercer to implement sexual health education for Latina youth and younger African-American girls to decrease rates of teen pregnancy and HIV/STI infections. “Research is clear—half of all new HIV infections are occurring in people under age 25,” says Dr. Elizabeth M. Casparian, HiTOPS Executive Director. “Given New Jersey’s high rate of people living with HIV/AIDS, this is a priority for HiTOPS, and we value this partnership to reach broader …

As an alternative to traditional corporate matching of dollars to dollars, Lambertville consulting firm Health Strategies Group has adopted a program that encourages employees to dedicate service to a local charity. To commemorate the service, the firm presents a donation in tandem with the hours of service provided. It’s a win-win opportunity for the charities and this local business supporter.  Dan Gramkee, FACT supporter and volunteer, introduced FACT to HSG’s Stewardship Committee and invited us to utilize this service.  FACT was able to have the committee work on a project for us and HSG donated $650 to FACT. A Big …

Liz Borland, President of LifeTies Board of Directors, was awarded the Pumpkin Award at the 2nd annual LifeTies Family Reunion on June 23rd.  Her husband and son accepted on her behalf.  The Pumpkin award is named in honor of Michael Gardner whose dedication to helping youth inspires us all.  Borland has served as a member of LifeTies Board since 2006 and President since 2008.  Current and former LifeTies clients, staff, board members and local community leaders helped celebrate the occasion with food, fun and music at Triad House.  For more information on LifeTies go to www.lifeties.org  

FACT board members Louis Licitra, Herb Andrus and Gary Guarino were invited to attend a recent meeting of the GLBTQ Support and Social Group of Hunterdon County.  Louis Licitra presented general information on FACT,  BINGO events and on the Annual AIDS WALK.  Presentations were also given by Attorney Leslie A. Farber, offering a Q & A on various legal matters for the GLBTQ community and by Steven Russell, Yoga Instructor and member of the NJ Gay Men’s Chorus.  The President and founder of this grass roots organization is the energetic Matthew Loscialo (see picture).  This group offers insight and information …

As a local grass roots service organization, FACT Bucks County was invited to apply for and was recently awarded $5,000.00 by the BC/EFA National Grants Program.  Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation’s largest HIV/AIDS-related grant-making foundations, granting approximately $6 million annually and over $121 million dollars since 1987. Equity Fights AIDS and Broadway Cares were founded as separate AIDS-related fundraising organizations in 1988. Since their merger in May of 1992, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) has had an unparalleled history of fundraising and grant-making in response to the AIDS epidemic.  BC/EFA’s ability to keep pace with the …

A big FACT Thank You goes to Gary Scibelli owner of New Hope Shoes, North Main Street~New Hope and FACT board member for raising over $650.00 in donations in Provincetown (PTown), MA.  Gary has always given great support to FACT, this time he “worked the streets” of P-Town in feathers and lace during the T-dance hours at recent stay at this GLBT vacationland and “solicited” donations from tourists and locals alike.  Gary also starred in the New Hope production of Norma Doesmen, a home-grown spoof on the classic movie Sunset Boulevard.  Gary also has a FACT donation jar at New …

For 26 years, ActionAIDS has been working to increase access to primary care and vital services for people living with HIV/AIDS. We, therefore, applaud the Supreme Court’s recent decision to uphold The Affordable Care Act. When fully implemented in 2014, the Affordable Care Act will increase access to health insurance to low income Americans and people with pre-existing conditions who do not have health insurance coverage through their employers. While the Affordable Care Act increases access to health insurance for uninsured and underinsured people living with HIV/AIDS, having insurance does not guarantee access to the wide range of services people living …

 FACT and the New Hope Eagle Fire Company have always teamed up to bring you our Quarterly BINGO Events For 10 years the Fire Company has been planning extensive renovations and now they are becoming a reality. Read more….FIREHOUSE RENOVATIONS  

Today the HIV epidemic is far less visible, even though 1.1 million Americans live with HIV and approximately 50,000 more become infected each year. Fear, discrimination, and complacency continue to hamper progress against HIV, even though most Americans understand how the disease is transmitted. By promoting the Let’s Stop HIV Together campaign, you can help the public get the facts, get tested, and get involved     Please share this information with others interested in improving public health practice through evidence-based strategies. Provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention