AIDS Action Committee’s Blog

We have created a new series called “Voices From the Front Line” for our blog and Update our newsletter. With these profiles we’re letting you hear from AIDS Action’s people who do the work every day that prevents new infections and who connect people living with HIV to care, support and services In this installment we check in with Emerson Miller AAC’s Peer Support Coordinator.

Emerson joined the staff of AIDS Action about 18 months ago. In his role of Peer Service Coordinator, he works alongside a dedicated team to support the long term health and well being of our clients. We spoke briefly about his work:

When someone is newly diagnosed and comes to AAC for support, do you find that they have a good deal of information about HIV/AIDS already or are they starting from square one?

You know it really varies; each person has a unique set of circumstances that brings them to seek our services – so it’s difficult to answer without acknowledging that. I will say though, I am seeing a higher number of people who are presenting sick. In other words, people seeking support for their new knowledge of their HIV status but at the same time, dealing with an immediate health issue as well. Facing a difficult health situation often makes the job of counseling more challenging, as the client usually has a more immediate need to get healthy. At the same time we also work with them to get them involved with the Peer Support programs.

(Read on …)

Volunteers contribute over 1,100 hours every month at AIDS Action to help stop the epidemic. From each volunteer application, an individual of conviction and compassion quickly shines through the words.

“I can’t bear the idea of people out there going through [the experience of living with HIV] alone.”
-- now a Check-In volunteer, providing long term, weekly support to people living with HIV over the phone

“Being gay makes me want to reach out to people in my community and help all that I can.”
— now an Outreach volunteer, talking one-on-one with people in the gay community about safer sex

“I’ve always felt that AIDS played a part in my life because my uncle, who died before I was born, was an AIDS activist.”
— now a Boomerangs volunteer, raising money for AIDS Action programs

“I think this needs to be a disease that is on everyone’s mind.”
— now a Hotline volunteer, helping field the over 1,000 calls received each month

I believe that when people understand this epidemic, they are moved to action. Every day I see victories in the fight against complacency and silence. When someone calls the Hotline seeking counsel, the voice on the line will be a volunteer. When a person living with HIV needs nutritious groceries, they will come from a volunteer’s hands.

Each person of conscience can contribute. Just as important, each person must act as an ambassador to their community, broadening this fight, and moving others to transform their compassion into action.