The MOCHA Center, Inc.
HIV/AIDS
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.
MOCHA Promise Buffalo – Role Model Story Project
The MOCHA Promise program is releasing these role model stories as part of it’s plan to encourage healthy behavior change in the community. Check out the stories below and share among your friends, family, and colleagues. If you have any questions about the stories, please contact Stephaun Wallace, Director of Programs & Services- Buffalo.
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.
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.
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.
