The MOCHA Center, Inc.
The MOCHA Center and the Rochester Victory Alliance Observe HIV Vaccine Awareness Day
May 18th is HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (HVAD). This annual observance is a day to recognize the contributions of thousands of volunteers, community members, health professionals, scientists, and governments who are committed to working together to find an HIV vaccine. Results of a recent vaccine trial and related follow-up studies have provided a promising way forward in the search for an HIV vaccine. In addition, other biomedical HIV prevention strategies such as microbicides, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and treatment as prevention have also shown great promise. While no single prevention strategy will end HIV/AIDS, HVAD underscores the importance of developing a safe and effective vaccine – our best hope to ending the epidemic. As the scientific community forges ahead in pursuit of an HIV vaccine, a variety of prevention approaches, treatment of those who are already infected, as well as community support and engagement remain essential to controlling the virus.
In observance of HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, The MOCHA Center will join our bio-medical research partner on the Be The Generation Bridge Grant, The Rochester Victory Alliance, to present:
“Vaccine Awareness Day at Cathode Ray Nightclub” on Thursday, May 17, 2012 8:30pm—11:30pm at Cathode Ray, 25 Allen Street, Buffalo, NY 14202.
“Vaccine Awareness Day at Tilt Nightclub” on Friday, May 18, 2012 from 9:00pm—Midnight. Tilt Nightclub is located at 444 Central Avenue, Rochester, NY 14605.
Please refer to our Buffalo Press Release and Rochester Press Release for more information.
Job Announcement: Health Access Specialist & Health Educator
5/18/2012 5:00pm – This position is closed and we are reviewing applications.
The MOCHA Center is pleased to announce two full time openings: Health Access Specialist (Buffalo) and Health Educator (Rochester). The search is open from April 23 – May 18, 2012. Please review the job descriptions in the PDF below and send your cover letter, resume, and list of references to jobs@mochacenter.org. All submissions must be in MS Word or PDF format and sent to jobs@mochacenter.org.
Job Announcement Link: 20120423_JobAnnouncements_MOCHACenter_HealthAccess_HealthEducator
Please note that some people have tried to click on the email address to send their job application. Email hyperlinks only work with certain email system. If you are receiving an error message, please open your email agent (Outlook, Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc) and enter the email address in your “To” section and you should be able to send your documents.
National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day – March 10, 2012
The MOCHA Center is joining the Office on Women’s Health (OWH), within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in taking action against HIV/AIDS. Let us pause today and focus on the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls in our nation.
On March 10th, 2012, we celebrate National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which is a nationwide observance to raise awareness of the increasing impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls and empower people and communities to take action. This National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, OWH is partnering with the Greater Than AIDS campaign and asking, “What’s your deciding moment?” According to Greater Than AIDS, deciding moments are everyday opportunities to take action against HIV, whether it is getting tested, talking with friends and family, using condoms, practicing abstinence, or taking medications as directed.
Since our inception in 1996, when the MOCHA Center was founded as the Men of Color Health Awareness Project, which specifically addressed HIV/AIDS health concerns that were affecting gay men, we have grown into a center of information, services, advocacy and much more. We have also significantly increased the number of people we serve by including more young people and women through our expanded programming.
The MOCHA Center encourages you to reach out to the women and girls in your families and communities, dialogue about HIV/AIDS, and encourage each other to get tested for HIV or seek medical treatment if HIV positive. HIV impacts us all and we have a community obligation to share knowledge and reduce HIV transmission risks.
In addition to the many HIV prevention programs and services for People Living with HIV/AIDS, the MOCHA Center is also a partner in the Be The Generation Bridge campaign. Our biomedical researcher partners, The Rochester Victory Alliance and the New York City HIV Vaccine Trials Unit, will be collaborating with various Community Based Organizations in Buffalo, Rochester and New York City to increase knowledge of biomedical HIV prevention research. We need more people of color engaged in biomedical HIV clinical trials — HIV Vaccine Trails, HIV Prevention Trials and Microbicides Trials. These initiatives are at the cutting edge of new tools to use in the prevention of HIV.
The MOCHA Center encourages you to participate in the various programs and services in Buffalo, Rochester, Niagara Falls, and New York City. The first bi-monthly Be The Generation Bridge Community Forum will be on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 – 4:00pm – 6:00pm at Highland Family Medicine, 777 South Clinton Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620. In partnership with the Rochester Victory Alliance, the forum will discuss HIV Vaccine Trials 101. We will also have bi-monthly community forums in New York City and Buffalo and those events will be posted on our website as well.
For more information on National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and how you can take action, visit womenshealth.gov/nwghaad. To find county and state data about HIV/AIDS, please visit womenshealth.gov/quickhealthdata. To learn more about the MOCHA Center and our programs and services, please visit www.mochacenter.org.
Part-Time Health Access Specialist and Health Educator positions open in MOCHA Buffalo
The P/T Health Educator position was filled and the P/T Health Access was changed to F/T. We are currently reviewing applications for The Health Access Specialist position as of 5/18/2012
The MOCHA Center is pleased to announce two new part-time positions: Health Access Specialist and Health Educator in our Buffalo Office. This search is open from February 24 – March 5, 2012 @ 5pm Eastern. Please review the application instructions and job descriptions in the link below. All applications must be submitted by email to jobs@mochacenter.org.
20120224_JobAnnouncements_MOCHACenter_HealthAccess_HealthEducator
Recruiting New Board Members
The MOCHA Center is actively seeking new Board members. Stanley Byrd (Interim Vice President) and Demetrius Jones (Immediate Past President) are co-leading the recruitment of new Board members. In building a diverse Board, the MOCHA Center is particularly eager to identify prospective candidates from specific constituencies and with specific areas of expertise that include, but are not limited to: legal counsel, women, youth, Latinos/Latinas, transgender individuals and people living with HIV/AIDS.
Please review the recruitment letter: MOCHA_BoardofDirectors_Recruitment
Application Deadline: February 29, 2012
Email: board_recruit@mochacenter.org
New Staff Members in Rochester
The MOCHA Center is pleased to announce the hiring of two new staff members for the Rochester Office. In December we interviewed candidates for the Director of Programs and Health Educator positions.
Christopher Wilson is our new Health Educator for the Rochester Office. Chris has worked in several capacities in the MOCHA Center and experience working with our youth and LGBTQ communities. We are pleased that he is now serving as a Health Educator working with the LGBT, Intensive Outreach, and ABC grants. Chris began his new role on January 1st.
Thaddeus Price is our new Director of Programs for Rochester. He will begin at the MOCHA Center on February 1st. Thaddeus is an active member of the Rochester community and has several years of experience in managing grant funded projects, youth services, and HIV/AIDS/STI prevention services.
We look forward to the contributions that both Thaddeus and Chris will bring to the MOCHA Center. We encourage you to visit and meet our new staff members.
Support the MOCHA Center – ROC THE DAY is Today – 12/8/2011
The MOCHA Center, along with other nonprofits in Rochester, is participating in the ROC the DAY event. This is an opportunity to contribute to nonprofits in a 24 hour period. We need your support and I encourage you to take a moment to contribute to the MOCHA Center today. Whether it is $5 or $5,000, everyone can help the MOCHA Center. We provide programs and services primarily in Rochester and Buffalo with satellite services in Niagara Falls and New York City. With over 15 years of service, we have touched many lives through HIV prevention and services for people living with HIV/AIDS. As one of the few organizations specifically serving the LGBTQ communities of color, we are at the forefront of addressing HIV/AIDS in communities most disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
As you know, many nonprofits struggle in challenging economic times. We need your support. Take a moment today and visit the ROC the DAY link below. Contribute to the MOCHA Center so we can continue offering quality programs and services. This is an online service and anyone can contribute to the MOCHA Center. Also help us get the word out today. This is a one day event that ends at midnight on Thursday, December 8th. Share with your friends and colleagues and ask them to support us.
Contribute to the MOCHA Center via ROC the DAY by clicking on the direct link below:
http://www.roctheday.org/Agency/THEMOCHACENTERINC
Thank you for your support!
Bruce E. Smail, Executive Director
Today is World AIDS Day
The world stops on December 1st to honor and remember the many lives lost to AIDS and re-energize HIV prevention efforts. The MOCHA Center joins this international day of remembrance and action and encourages you to remember and take action in your sphere of influence. Here are a few things you can do today:
- Encourage someone to get tested for HIV.
- Do you know your status? Take a HIV test today and know your status.
- Reach out to People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) with a smile, a hug, or comforting words.
- Stand up with others today and attend a World AIDS Day event.
- Volunteer your time with a HIV/AIDS organization.
- Donate to organizations advocating for PLWHA and educating communities on HIV prevention.
- If you are a PLWHA — seek medical care and develop strong support systems.
- Familiarize yourself with the latest safer sex practices.
- Identify places to obtain clean needles or bleach kits.
- Participate in a biomedical HIV prevention research education (microbicides, pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and treatment as preventions).
HIV impacts the following groups at disproportionate rates: Blacks, Hispanics/Latinos, Transwomen of all races and ethnicities, Gay and Bisexual men of all races and ethnicities, and Youth in all of these categories. HIV/AIDS is a community issue and we all have a responsibility to end this pandemic. Let us join forces, increase the dialogue, and actively address the critical nature of HIV/AIDS in our communities.
—– Bruce E. Smail, Executive Director
Support the MOCHA Center at ROC the Day – December 8, 2011
The MOCHA Center is pleased to be a part of the ROC THE DAY event. Please visit the website below and support the MOCHA Center on December 8th. For over 15 years we have provided programs and services to Rochester and Buffalo. We also have satellite offices in Niagara Falls and New York City. The MOCHA Center reaches Western New York and beyond. As a nonprofit organization, we are committed to improving the health and wellness in communities of color through intervention and service with an emphasis on LGBTQ programming. We appreciate the United Way of Greater Rochester’s effort in supporting nonprofits in our community. Remember to visit the website and donate to organization important to you on Thursday, December 8, 2011. Please support the MOCHA Center as we continue our efforts in Western New York.
A Direct Link to The MOCHA Center on ROC THE DAY.
Job Announcements at the MOCHA Center
***1/18/2012 Update — The Director of Programs and the Health Educator for Rochester positions were filled. The Buffalo position is being redesigned and will be announced shortly.****
The MOCHA Center is pleased to announce three new positions: Director of Programs – Rochester, Health Educator – Rochester, and Health Educator – Buffalo. This search is open from November 18, 2011 – December 2, 2011 @ 5pm Eastern. Please review the application instructions and job descriptions below. All applications must be submitted by email to jobs@mochacenter.org.
