The MOCHA Center, Inc.
Bruce E. Smail
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
Executive Director is Inteviewed by The Empty Closet
Bruce E. Smail, Executive Director of The MOCHA Center, was interviewed by Susan Jordan of The Empty Closet. Please take a moment to read the article. We appreciate the work of Susan and The Empty Closet in its efforts to keep the LGBTQ community informed about the latest news.
Executive Director Sets New Hours in Buffalo
Effective Friday, October 14, 2011, the Executive Director of the MOCHA Center will have new office hours:
Buffalo: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm on Tuesdays and Fridays. The Buffalo office is located at 1092 Main Street.
Rochester: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm on Monday, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The Rochester Office is located at 107 Liberty Pole Way.
To schedule an appointment in either city, contact Bruce Smail at bsmail@mochacenter.org. You may also reach him in Rochester at (585) 420-1400 x17 or in Buffalo at (716) 852-1142 x 20.
A Dialogue on Living with HIV
The MOCHA Center’s Youth Drop-in Center will host “A Dialogue on Living with HIV” on Thursday, October 6, 2011 from 4:30 – 5:30pm. Bruce E. Smail, the Executive Director of the MOCHA Center, will share his story and lead a discussion on the challenges and opportunities of living with HIV. This event is limited to our LGBTQ youth of color aged 13-24. The event will take place at the MOCHA Center, 107 Liberty Pole Way, Rochester.
The MOCHA Center Reaches Out to People Living with HIV/AIDS
In October, the MOCHA Center will launch two support groups for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). As a person living with HIV since 2003, I am pleased to offer two groups in Rochester as a way to support PLWHA. The MOCHA Center was founded on the support and care for men of color living with HIV/AIDS.
The challenges of a new diagnosis or finding support in communities are challenges we all face being positive. The weekly support groups will come together for 90 minutes and provide opportunities for dialogue, sharing experiences, group support, and access to helpful resources in the community.
The Support Group for Newly Diagnosed targets men of color who are living with HIV for 2 years or less. The Support Group for People Living with HIV/AIDS targets men of color who are living with HIV/AIDS longer than 2 years.
Because these are confidential support groups, please contact me directly at bsmail@mochacenter.org or (585) 420-1400 x17 for more information or to join the support group.
I look forward to reaching men of color living with HIV/AIDS through this initiative. I have found that as we share our stories and dialogue about our experiences, it improves our acceptance and our ability to value our lives. On my seventh year anniversary, I wrote a blog about living with HIV. I share my story as a way to reach out to various communities about HIV. I hope you will take a moment to read the story and realize that we all have our own stories and paths in becoming HIV positive.
Bruce E. Smail – Executive Director
Smail Speaks on Rochester Radio Talk Show
Bruce E. Smail, the Executive Director of the MOCHA Center, will be interviewed on the “What’s Going On? — with Nate Brown and Kevin Allen” show on Sunday, September 25, 2011 at 8:00 am (ET). Once a month, Rochester youth interview guests in the community. You can listen in on 1280 AM or 107.3 FM in Rochester. You can also visit the link below and listen in live via the internet (Look to the top left corner for the link for the live internet broadcast). Join me on Sunday as I talk about the MOCHA Center, HIV/AIDS, and other issues!!!!
1280 WHTK & FM 107.3 – Rochester’s Sports Talk
The MOCHA Center Introduces its new ED, Board of Directors & Staff
The MOCHA Center issued a press release on 9/12/2011 regarding the Welcome Events. View Press Release
The MOCHA Center, a nonprofit organization providing health and wellness programs and services for communities of color with an emphasis on LGBTQ communities, will introduce its new Executive Director, Board of Directors, and staff to the communities of Buffalo and Rochester this month. With over 15 years of service, and operations in Buffalo, Rochester, Niagara Falls, and New York City, the MOCHA Center reaches local, regional, state, and national constituencies.
The Open House is one of the many ways that the MOCHA Center is reaching out to local communities and creating opportunities for everyone to have a voice in the MOCHA Center. The improvement of health and wellness amongst people of color and LGBTQ communities is a collective responsibility. LGBTQ, people of color, and people living with HIV/AIDS are active members of all organizations, businesses, places of worship, and our community. Collectively we must address the health disparities in this country as well as in this community.
The event is an opportunity to meet the new Executive Director, Board of Directors and staff; learn more about the programs and services of the MOCHA Center; explore opportunities to connect with the MOCHA Center, and to share your perspectives about the MOCHA Center. The event is free and open to the public. Both Open Houses will be held at the MOCHA Center in Buffalo (September 22) and Rochester (September 29) from 5:00pm – 7:00pm. Please click on links below for more details and register for the event.
More Information & Registration – Buffalo Open House – September 22, 2011 – 5:00pm – 7:00pm
More information & Registration – Rochester Open House – September 29, 2011 – 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Creating Space For Your Voice
The MOCHA Center has many constituents and I want to hear from you now and as we move forward. Know that my email (bsmail@mochacenter.org) gives you direct access to me or you may also call me at my office in Rochester (585-410-1400 x17) or in Buffalo (716-852-1142 x20). Let me know your concerns, ideas, and suggestions. Within the next month, I will announce a few events that provide opportunities for our constituents to meet and dialogue with the new leadership of the MOCHA Center. I look forward to engaging dialogue about MOCHA and our future directions.
New Leadership
On July 1, 2011, I started as the new Executive Director for the MOCHA Center. It is indeed an honor to serve the communities of Rochester and Buffalo, New York. While our reach extends throughout New York and beyond, I am looking forward to knowing our local communities.
Over the last few days, I have been meeting with my staff and board members individually to assess our organization. I will also create opportunities to meet with clients, volunteers, community members, organizational partners, and community leaders. The issue of HIV/AIDS in New York and this region is critical. The disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on communities of color, MSM (men who sex with men), youth, and our elderly elevates this as a community issue deserving all of our attention.
As with any transition, change is an ongoing process. The MOCHA Center’s 15 years of service demonstrate our commitment and sustainability in address the health and wellness needs of people of color with an emphasis on the LGBTQ community. Our constituents represent a wide range of identities and I am committed to engaging and involving ALL of our communities in the MOCHA Center.
Please join us as we begin a new chapter in the life of the MOCHA Center. We also have new leadership of the Board of Directors with Dr. Edward Brockenbrough serving as President of the Board. I look forward to working with Dr. Brockenbrough and the rest of the Board of Directors as we move this agency forward.
Let us now collectively move this organization forward.
Bruce E. Smail, M.A. – Executive Director, The MOCHA Center | bsmail@mochacenter.org |(585) 420-1400 x 17
