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For Immediate Release
Contact: Teresa Lyles
Holmes
212-730-7381
HEALTH DEPARTMENTS,
COMMUNITY BASED AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS GEAR UP FOR NATIONAL CONFERENCE TO ASSIST
BLACK CHURCHES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS
The
Balm In Gilead To Host Fourth Annual National Certification and Capacity Building
Conference for Engaging Black Churches In HIV/AIDS Education
NEW YORK, NY - June 15, 2001…The Black church community is becoming
more and more visible and active on the forefront in the battle against HIV/AIDS.
As these churches heed the national call to become community centers for HIV/AIDS
education, treatment and compassion, they need local support from organizations
that are equipped to work with them. Thus comes The Balm In Gilead's fourth annual
National Certification and Capacity Building Conference for Engaging Black Churches
in HIV/AIDS Education July 25-27 at The Meadowview Conference Resort
in Kingsport, Tennessee.
"This conference is designed for community-based organizations, civic organizations,
health departments and church-based HIV service providers who desire to effectively
engage and support African American churches in addressing HIV/AIDS," says
Pernessa C. Seele, founder/CEO of The Balm In Gilead. "These organizations
will implement the national models and strategies of The Balm In Gilead at the
local level within their respective structures and communities."
Upon completing this training,
along with other requirements, an organization will become a certified service
partner of The Balm In Gilead. As a local partner with the nationally recognized
organization, they will receive many services including ongoing technical assistance
from The Balm In Gilead's National Black Church HIV/AIDS Technical Assistance
Center, which is funded through a cooperative agreement by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
This year's conference coincides
with the 20 Years of AIDS is Enough Campaign which is being organized by
a coalition of AIDS service organizations to mark the 20th anniversary of living
with AIDS. It was twenty years ago that The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
published an article on five cases of rare pneumocystis pneumonia found in five
men in Los Angeles. Today, we know that type of pneumonia indicates a diagnosis
of AIDS.
According to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, twenty years ago, African Americans represented
less than a quarter of the AIDS cases in the country, today over 50% of all new
AIDS cases are among Black Americans.
"It is critical time
for our community and it is more important than ever now for organizations to
work with our Black churches to help them become active centers for education
and compassion for HIV/AIDS in our community," adds Seele. These partnerships
empower our churches and local organizations giving them the tools they need to
Conference Registration
Information
The registration fee is $300 per person. Conference participants will be responsible
for hotel and travel accommodations (discounted for a group rate). Interested
applicants should contact The Balm In Gilead at 888.225.6243 for an application.
The application deadline is July 13, 2001.
About The Balm In Gilead
The Balm In Gilead is a not-for-profit,
national organization located in New York City whose mission is to build the capacity
of African American churches to become community centers for HIV prevention, treatment
and compassion. Endorsed by over 17 church denominations and caucuses, The Balm
In Gilead's pioneering achievements have enabled thousands of churches to become
leaders in preventing HIV by providing comprehensive educational programs and
offering compassionate support to encourage those infected to seek and maintain
treatment. The organization operates the Black Church HIV/AIDS National Technical
Assistance Center and is the national organizer of The Black Church Week of Prayer
for the Healing of AIDS, the largest AIDS awareness campaign targeting Black America.
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