The MOCHA Center, Inc.

Recruiting New Board Members

Bruce E. Smail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:26:09 +0000

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

Bruce E. Smail — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:03:16 +0000

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

Bruce E. Smail — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:25:21 +0000

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 8^th. 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

Bruce E. Smail — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:59:59 +0000

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

Bruce E. Smail — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:48:04 +0000

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

Bruce E. Smail — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 01:46:44 +0000

***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.

20111118_JobAnnouncements_MOCHACenter_DPHEs_FINAL

Executive Director is Inteviewed by The Empty Closet

Bruce E. Smail — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:48:01 +0000

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.

The Empty Closet Interview with the Executive Director

Executive Director Sets New Hours in Buffalo

Bruce E. Smail — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:42:49 +0000

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

Bruce E. Smail — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 19:42:29 +0000

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

Bruce E. Smail — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:03:37 +0000

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